AI Build Consultant

About the Opportunity:

Work directly with a serial Silicon Valley founder — with multiple exits — who is actively incubating a portfolio of new AI companies within his studio. This is a rare opportunity to plug into early-stage company building at the highest level, contributing technical expertise where it has immediate, tangible impact.

We are seeking a skilled, self-directed AI engineering consultant to serve as a trusted technical advisor. This is not an execution-only role — the ideal candidate removes obstacles, diagnoses complex problems, establishes clean technical foundations, and enables the team to move with speed and confidence.

The engagement begins at 2–8 hours per week across sequenced projects, with strong potential to expand as initiatives scale.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a technical audit of an early-stage AI startup’s existing codebase and infrastructure
• Define and implement scalable project workflows and documentation to support team-based collaboration
• Configure and optimize AI-assisted development environments (including Claude Code) for multi-contributor use
• Diagnose and resolve complex bugs and system issues — identifying root causes and implementing durable fixes
• Advise on technical architecture decisions appropriate for early-stage, high-velocity product development
• Provide ongoing engineering support as new features and capabilities are prioritized across projects

Qualifications:

• 4+ years of hands-on software engineering experience at a mid to senior level
• Demonstrated experience within high-growth startups — comfortable operating lean, without bureaucratic overhead
• Proficiency with AI-native development tools such as Claude Code, Cursor, or equivalent platforms
• Hands-on experience building or configuring AI agents and automation frameworks
• Ability to quickly orient within unfamiliar codebases and deliver effective solutions independently
• Clear, professional communication skills — written and verbal — with the ability to translate technical decisions for non-technical stakeholders
• Availability to collaborate synchronously with Pacific Standard Time (PST) coverage

Nice to Have:

• Prior fractional or consulting engineering experience — proven ability to onboard quickly and deliver immediate value
• Exposure to 0fi1 product development in fast-moving startup environments
• Familiarity with AI studio or venture studio operating models