Project Runner (AI Product Lead / Future Founder)

We are a development , data science and design studio that works closely with founders and executives to create custom software and machine learning solutions. AE Studio is an LA-based company focused on increasing human agency by making the AGI future go well. We believe alignment is solvable; people just haven’t tried hard enough. For us, that means focusing on neglected ideas that could unlock major breakthroughs. We’ve spent over a decade helping clients, from startups to companies like Samsung, Walmart, Berkshire Hathaway, and Goodfire, solve complex technical problems and bring ambitious products to life. We apply the same structures to research. Instead of a client, we partner with visionary researchers exploring neglected alignment ideas. We’re a full-stack R&D group combining engineering, science, and product capability. This puts us in a unique position to move quickly and make real progress on one of the most important problems of our time. We're fully bootstrapped. We don’t rely on venture capital or private equity. Profits from our client work go directly into internal Skunkworks projects, technical research, and policy engagement. This gives us the freedom to pursue high-risk, high-upside ideas that typical funding models neglect. We can commit to long-term bets without being constrained by short grant cycles or investor timelines. Our alignment efforts include in-house work, alignment clients like Goodfire AI, and collaborations with Redwood Research and researchers at Anthropic and DeepMind. In the past, we also led pioneering research in brain-computer interfaces, and we continue to expand our scope as the stakes rise. If you care about actually solving alignment and want to build, we want to talk to you! ABOUT THE ROLE We’re hiring a strategic and technical operator to lead execution across research and product efforts. You’ll turn abstract ideas into clear roadmaps, keep teams moving, and ensure progress is visible and aligned with goals. You’ll own high-leverage projects from end to end. Some may be internal Skunkworks efforts. Others may involve clients, grants, or research partners. You’ll help us explore neglected AI alignment ideas, technical bets, or automation pipelines, and move them from concept to real-world impact. Summary We’re hiring Project Runners —entrepreneurial, AI-fluent product leaders who can own delivery for high-stakes projects from end to end. You’ll be embedded in fast-moving teams, often at the intersection of cutting-edge AI, product-market fit exploration, and enterprise execution. This is a hybrid role: part technical PM, part AI architect, part founder-in-training. You’ll run client or internal projects with excellence, polish, and hustle—while building the skills to one day launch or lead a company of your own if AGI doesn't kill everyone. What You’ll Do Own AI and Software Projects E2E driving projects from kickoff to launch across generative AI, automation, agent orchestration, or custom tooling. Own delivery and outcomes. Act as Product Owner and Team Lead, translating vague ideas into tested hypotheses. Define scope. Prioritize fast. Build what matters with devs, designers, and researchers. Be Enterprise-Ready to communicate clearly with demanding clients. Align stakeholders. Set expectations. Bring confidence and clarity to complex discussions. Build with AI Tools (Not Just Manage) . You’re fluent in LLMs, LangChain, RAG stacks, vector search, OpenAI APIs, fine-tuning, or similar. You prototype and validate with your own hands. Work like a Founder while navigating ambiguity, wearing multiple hats, and making hard calls. Build with urgency and care. Take extreme ownership and find leverage. Spin Off (Eventually) - AE supports startup spinouts. You’ll have the opportunity to become CEO or CTO of a venture—either something you incubate here or that AE backs you to lead. What We’re Looking For Proven experience in product leadership, AI product development, or startup building Strong understanding of generative AI stacks, LLMs, vector DBs, and APIs Entrepreneurial mindset: bias toward action, scrappiness, and experimentation Strong communicator: clear with clients, inspiring with teams, strategic with stakeholders Ability to lead cross-functional teams and ship without waiting for permission Preference for small teams, 0→1 problems, and real-world results over theory Experience working in consulting, agencies, startups, or early-stage ventures Bonus Skills Prior founder/operator experience or deep desire to build a venture Experience building prototypes or MVPs in AI/no-code/low-code Exposure to AGI-aligned thinking or AI safety concepts Fluent in user research, iterative development, and lean experimentation Network or domain expertise in areas where AI can unlock 10x value Success in This Role Looks Like High client satisfaction and consistent delivery on ambitious timelines Impactful prototypes that create real business value AI capabilities implemented in useful, reliable ways Spinout ventures launched or accelerated based on your leadership Growth in your leadership path: from Runner → Director → CEO/CTO What This Role Is Not Not a project babysitter. You ship. You lead. You own. Not a slide deck creator. You prototype, you test, you build real things. Not a solo act. You bring others along, unblocking and collaborating effectively. Not a corporate PM. You’ll get your hands dirty in tools, code, and strategy. Why Join AE Studio as a Project Runner Build cool things using the coolest and more modern tools and actually ship it Work alongside top 0.1% engineers, researchers, designers, and founders Access to AE’s internal ideas, capital network, and spinout playbook Grow into a founder with guidance, support, and real projects to prove yourself on Salary range from $120k/year to $220k/year. Not in the range? That's fine, you can still apply and our team may fit you in a more senior position that we're not actively hiring right now, but we are growing fast and may have other openings soon. This range considering people based in California EQUITY Working at AE means receiving equity in our client projects and in Skunkworks ventures. The equity is priced at $0 when granted for tax reasons, but AE invests millions into these projects. Equity comes from reduced margins on client work and internal funding. You get a real stake in the things you help build. The longer you stay, the more value you create and the more equity you receive. If you leave on good terms, you can retain 20% of your equity by staying engaged. If you spin out a Skunkworks venture, you retain 100%.