Founding AE

Founding AE at Cardinal — San Francisco, CA, US

About this role

About Cardinal

Cardinal is building the AI platform for precision outbound.

We help the best companies run world-class sales — combining data, AI, and execution into one system that actually drives revenue.

$1M ARR run rate in ~2 months

~80k MRR and growing fast

Backed by Y Combinator

Built by 2x YC founders (Harvard + MIT + Prod)

We’re moving fast, closing top customers, and becoming the default outbound stack for the best teams.

The Role

This is not a normal AE role.

You’re not just selling - you’re:

Helping define how modern outbound works

Working directly with customers to win deals using Cardinal

Turning insights into repeatable playbooks

Acting as a bridge between product, customers, and revenue

This role is core to the company.

Cardinal is a sales company - this role directly determines how fast we grow.

What You’ll Do

Run full-cycle sales (from first touch → close)

Work closely with customers to launch and optimize outbound campaigns

Get customers to their first response fast (this is everything)

Develop creative outbound strategies (not just templates)

Turn successful campaigns into repeatable systems

Push product forward with real customer feedback

Close high-value deals and expand accounts

Who You Are

We’re looking for scrappy, high-agency sellers who love the craft.

You might be:

A former founder

Someone who scaled a startup early

A top AE who hates doing things the “normal way”

Someone who has run outbound themselves

You:

Love working directly with customers

Are extremely hands-on

Can figure things out without being told

Are creative with outbound (not just following playbooks)

Want to win — and are willing to hustle for it