Company
Braintrust is a global talent network that connects top independent professionals with leading companies for high-quality, flexible work. We help organizations hire skilled talent faster while giving professionals access to vetted opportunities with innovative teams.
Job description
AI Build Consultant:
2–8 hrs/week (scalable)
PST overlap required
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