🌚 Holy Soham... Engineers Gone Wild, Billion-Dollar Signals, and Slope-Defining Roles

Each month, I work with a curated group of cracked 0→1 engineers — the kind of founders founders want to hire or co-found with.

As of this issue, only 22 spots remain.

Healthcare might sound boring. But that’s exactly where the biggest upside lives. Fira’s solving billion-dollar problems. If you’re an engineer looking for real-world impact and deep technical challenges, this is the kind of bet that builds slope and career moats equity upside.

Soham is a reminder that in AI, chaos and opportunity go hand in hand. Cursor’s backlash is a warning that building trust with users is as critical as building tech. If you’re an engineer, chase signal. The market’s messy, but the upside has never been higher for those who pick the right problems and the right teams.

Recent job posting in

}

// TLDR: Fira’s using LLMs to solve billion-dollar problems in healthcare admin. It’s the kind of ‘boring’ problem that quietly builds career moats and real upside for engineers.

// Company: Fira Health;

// Location: New York (Hybrid, 3-5 days/week);

// Base: $180k - $230K;

// Funding: Top-tier investors (confidential)

}

OUTPUT:

Recent job posting in

}

// TLDR: Mem’s building backend systems that turn messy notes into structured knowledge. It’s the kind of complex infra that powers an “AI Chief of Staff” — perfect for engineers who want to work deep in data and LLMs.

// Company: Mem;

// Location: Remote (requires 9am–3pm PST overlap)

// Base: $180k - $220K;

// Funding: $29M total raised;

}

OUTPUT:

Recent job posting in

}

// TLDR: Pallet’s rethinking logistics with AI-driven automation in a multi-trillion-dollar market. It’s serious 0→1 work for engineers who want to build infra and products that actually move freight and revenue.

// Company: Pallet;

// Location: SanFrancisco (Hybrid, M-Th in office);

// Base: $160k - $260K;

// Funding: $50M raised

}

OUTPUT:

Recent job posting in

}

// TLDR: Prophecy Gov’s using AI to overhaul how local governments work. It’s high-impact, mission-driven frontend work for engineers who want to see their code improve real-world systems — fast.

// Company: Prophecy Gov;

// Location: SanFrancisco (Onsite);

// Base: $130k - $200K;

// Funding: $2.M raised

}

OUTPUT:

Question:

Is joining a startup still worth it with how rough the market’s been?

Answer:

Hear me out… It depends on who you are and where you land.

If you join a low-signal team with no edge, then no, you’re just underpaid and overworked.

But the right startup is still the fastest way to compound experience, equity, and influence.

I’d say, don’t optimize for industry, optimize for team density and slope

— This question was from David.

Send me your question by replying to this email.

💡

What’s your real reason for staying where you are?

Be honest with yourself… Then ask if it’s worth what you’re giving up.

→ Hit reply and let me know. Let’s brainstorm.