AE Studio is an LA-based R&D company focused on AI alignment and high-risk, high-reward projects. We build AI systems for clients (startups to Fortune 500s) while funding internal Skunkworks ventures pursuing neglected alignment research. Our hands-on approach combines engineering, science, and product strategy—with startup spinouts as a path for deep impact.
We’re hiring a Product Lead to drive client engagements, internal ventures, and AI infrastructure projects. This is a hybrid role: strategic advisor, technical PM, AI architect, and founder-in-training. You’ll own AI deployments (LLMs, agents, RAG), advise C-level clients, and shape high-stakes roadmaps—with the potential to spin out or lead a venture.
Ideal candidates thrive in ambiguity, ship prototypes, and translate complex technical trade-offs into business impact. This role values hustle, clarity, and execution over perfection.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead end-to-end AI projects for Fortune 1000 clients or internal ventures (genAI, agent orchestration, automation).
Serve as a trusted advisor to executives, diagnosing risks, trade-offs, and opportunities in AI adoption.
Design and facilitate AI workshops, translating business goals into roadmaps with strong build/buy decisions.
Build functional prototypes (LLMs, APIs, vector DBs) to validate approaches.
Explore Skunkworks spinout opportunities—potentially as CEO/Founder of a new venture.
What You Bring:
Deep fluency in LLMs, agent frameworks (LangChain), RAG, vector search, prompt engineering, and trade-offs between tools.
Experience advising or running teams at the intersection of technical and business stakeholders (C-level preferred).
Proactivity and judgment—you make credible calls with limited info, balance speed and rigor, and hold teams accountable.
Hands-on mentality: write code, debug systems, and ship rather than delegating.
Alignment with AE’s mission: solving alignment, empowering founders, and investing in neglected ideas.
Upside & Culture:
Salary: $120K–$220K/year (California-based) + equity in client projects and Skunkworks ventures.
Equity vests over time with real value creation (e.g., retain 100% if launching a spinout).
Work remotely or in-person (LA office available).
Lead high-stakes challenges with practitioners who “treat alignment as solvable.”
How We Operate:
No venture capital: Fully bootstrapped, profits fund research and spinouts.
Client work fuels ventures: Revenue from enterprise projects directly supports internal breakthroughs.
Founder-friendly environment: Spinouts get capital, support, and 100% founder equity.
If you want to build with purpose, own the technology, and shape a company’s trajectory, apply.
Location: Remote or Los Angeles, CA
Schedule: Full-time
Compensation: $120K–$220K/year + Equity
About AE Studio:
AE is a mission-driven R&D lab where technical execution meets exponential impact. We’re architects, engineers, and strategists who conduct alignment research and build AI systems for the world’s best brands.
