Lead Engineer for Health-Tech Startup

Bifrost Studios is hiring a Lead Engineer on behalf of Feno

Feno is building the world's first AI-powered smart toothbrush - a 20-second oral care system that uses computer vision to deliver comprehensive cleaning and real-time health insights. We're not just making a better toothbrush; we're unlocking the connection between oral health and systemic health, including heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline.

We're a small, intense team scaling toward >48,000 units in 2026. Every system you build will directly impact how people take care of their health.

Tasks

The Role

We're looking for a Lead Engineer to own engineering execution across our entire software stack: iOS app, backend, cloud infrastructure, frontend, and internal tools. You'll lead a small team (currently 2 engineers), write production code yourself, and build the systems that power every Feno device in the field.

This is a player-coach role. You'll spend about:

• 40% of your time leading (1:1s, sprint planning, unblocking, cross-functional coordination)
• 40% coding
• 20% on technical strategy

You report to the CTO and work closely with our Head of AI. The right person will eventually grow this team and could be on a path to CTO.

What You'll Own

• Engineering team management - hiring, 1:1s, performance, unblocking
• Backend systems and API development (Python)
• Cloud infrastructure (AWS) - deployment, monitoring, incident response
• Frontend development (React/TypeScript), including using AI coding tools to cover gaps
• Internal automation and tooling
• Coordination with firmware engineers and Head of AI on cross-functional work

What Success Looks Like

At 60 Days

The CTO and Head of AI have 100% confidence that software execution is handled. Code ships, incidents get resolved, and the engineering team operates without constant oversight.

At 12 Months

You've grown the team, systems are reliable and scalable for >48K units, and you're contributing to product roadmap decisions.

Requirements

Must Have

• Strong hands-on coding ability in Python, PostgreSQL, and AWS
• Ownership of deployment pipelines, monitoring, and incident response
• Ability to operate with high autonomy in ambiguous environments
• Genuine desire to work in a role that combines leadership and individual contribution

Strong Preferences

• Previous startup experience
• React/TypeScript frontend experience
• Proficiency with AI coding tools (Cursor, Copilot)
• AI/ML literacy - enough to collaborate effectively with our Head of AI
• Experience managing engineers - running 1:1s, setting expectations, holding people accountable

Bonus

• Mobile development (Swift/Android)
• Infrastructure-as-code (Terraform)
• Experience scaling systems for hardware/IoT products
• Experience growing a team from 2–3 to 5+

Who This Isn't For

• Pure people-managers who haven't written production code in years
• Brilliant individual contributors who see leadership as a burden rather than an opportunity
• Big-company operators who need defined processes to succeed
• Anyone who waits for orders rather than taking initiative

Benefits

• Compensation: competitive package determined on a case-by-case basis depending on experience, scope, and overall fit. The package may include equity based on your profile.
• Location: Culver City HQ