The retrieval engine built for agents
Hornet is an ambitious startup building the next generation of retrieval infrastructure. Our engine powers agentic systems with an API surface that agents can configure, deploy, feed, query, and optimize autonomously. Building on battle-tested technology, serving billions of users, petabytes of data, millions of requests per second, we're rethinking retrieval for the agentic era.
We have an office in the Bay Area to tap into market opportunities in the region, while the engineering team is based in Trondheim. We serve enterprise clients globally, enabling them to get quality work done with agents.
The role
We are looking for a Senior Frontend Engineer who cares deeply about craft, usability, and performance.
You will design and build the interfaces developers and operators use to interact with the Hornet retrieval engine. This includes everything from configuration and observability to query exploration and system diagnostics.
This role sits at the intersection of infrastructure, developer tooling, and product design. You will work closely with backend engineers and products to turn complex distributed systems into intuitive, high-quality interfaces.
You will help define what the developer experience of retrieval infrastructure should look like.
What you'll do
- Design and build high-quality interfaces for interacting with the Hornet retrieval engine
- Own frontend architecture including component systems, state management, performance, and tooling
- Translate complex infrastructure capabilities into intuitive workflows and user experiences
- Collaborate closely with backend engineers to design APIs and developer-facing features
- Build reusable components and patterns that support rapid product iteration
- Prototype new ideas quickly using coding agents and modern development tooling
- Mentor engineers and contribute to raising the bar for frontend engineering across the team
What we're looking for
- 5+ years of experience building modern web applications
- Strong proficiency with TypeScript and React
- Strong understanding of component architecture, state management, and frontend system design
- Excellent CSS and layout skills
- Experience building responsive, accessible, and high-performance interfaces
- Ability to translate product and technical requirements into intuitive user experiences
- Experience working closely with backend teams on API design and developer tooling
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines and GitHub workflows
- Comfort using coding agents and modern AI tooling to accelerate development
Who we're looking for
- Unshakeable: High-agency executors who move fast but think deeply
- Curious: Quick learners who take time to listen, question, and explore
- Excellence: A passion for quality craftsmanship with a track record of top performance
- Resourcefulness: Proactive, independent, and able to drive projects forward from day one
- Design thinking: A passion for design, details, and long-term maintainability
What we offer
- Work on foundational infrastructure for the next generation of AI systems
- A small, highly capable engineering team where your work has immediate impact
- Direct exposure to cutting-edge enterprise AI deployments with global customers
- An office-centric culture that prioritizes output and responsibility over rigid schedules
- Competitive salary and equity stake
To apply
Ready to build retrieval infrastructure for the AI era? Send your CV and a brief cover letter about why you are a great fit for this role.
