Automat, Inc.

Reimagining RPA with AI Agents

Automat, Inc. is fundamentally rethinking robotic process automation (RPA) by building AI agents that operate computers just like people do. Founded in 2023 by former Google engineers Gautam Bose and Lucas Ochoa, the San Francisco-based startup has quickly raised a $15.5M Series A to scale its vision. Instead of relying on brittle, code-heavy legacy tools like UiPath or Automation Anywhere, Automat uses advanced transformer models and computer vision to understand the context of a task. This allows operations teams to automate complex workflows—such as loan processing, claims management, and KYC verification—simply by providing a screen recording or natural language instructions.

A Culture of Forward-Deployed Engineering

Automat thrives on a culture of close collaboration and rapid iteration. The team doesn't just build software in a vacuum; they deploy "forward-deployed engineers" who work directly with customers to solve real-world problems. This means engineers are constantly interacting with clients via Slack or Teams, understanding their unique bottlenecks, and deploying AI agents that adapt to changing UI elements. The environment is described as dynamic and ambitious, valuing individuals who can bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI research and practical enterprise applications.

What You'll Actually Do

Life at Automat is hands-on and high-impact. If you're an Applied AI Engineer, you'll be pushing the boundaries of what VLMs and LLMs can achieve in "text-to-action" robotics techniques. You'll work on making agents self-healing and capable of parallelizing thousands of runs per day. Forward-deployed engineers will spend their time embedded with clients, translating their complex, messy workflows into reliable Automat deployments. For product and design roles, the challenge lies in creating intuitive interfaces that allow non-technical operators to manage and monitor these powerful AI agents effortlessly.

Compensation & Benefits

Automat offers competitive compensation tailored to the San Francisco market. According to recent job postings, an Applied AI Engineer can expect a base salary between $175K and $220K, along with 0.05% to 0.25% equity. Software Engineers see ranges from $150K to $200K, while a Founding Growth Marketer might earn $120K to $150K. Sales roles, such as an Enterprise Account Executive, offer a base of $90K to $280K with variable components. While specific benefits aren't heavily detailed publicly, the early-stage nature of the company suggests significant upside potential through equity.

The Interview Process

As an early-stage, Y Combinator-backed startup, Automat's interview process is likely rigorous and highly practical. Candidates can expect a mix of technical deep dives and behavioral assessments focused on problem-solving in ambiguous environments. For engineering roles, expect discussions around transformer models, computer vision, and system architecture for high-throughput applications. The founders, having backgrounds at Google X and Creative Lab, likely value candidates who can demonstrate a blend of technical excellence and creative product thinking.

Why Join / Why Not

Join Automat if you are excited about the prospect of disrupting a massive, legacy industry with cutting-edge AI. The opportunity to work alongside experienced founders and top-tier investors (Felicis, Khosla, Initialized) is significant. It's a place for builders who want to see their work immediately impact enterprise operations. However, this is not the place for those seeking a highly structured, slow-paced corporate environment. The focus on in-person work in San Francisco and the demands of an early-stage startup require a high level of commitment and adaptability.