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 0?1 product development in fast-moving startup environments
• Familiarity with AI studio or venture studio operating models