Applied AI Data Scientist

About the role

AE Studio builds products, platforms, and internal ventures that increase agency for all conscious beings. We combine world-class software engineering, AI expertise, and product design to ship ambitious projects that matter.

About the Role

As a Data Scientist at AE Studio, you'll work on a mix of client projects and internal research initiatives. You'll solve real-world problems, help build meaningful products, and contribute to groundbreaking AI alignment research. Your work will involve building data-driven solutions, leveraging machine learning models, and using your creativity to deliver results that matter.

In addition to client projects, you'll have the opportunity to propose and pursue high-impact research projects, especially those aligned with our mission of increasing agency. Promising projects could even become prioritized skunkworks initiatives.

We want problem-solvers who are adaptable, collaborative, and excited to push boundaries. If this sounds like you, let's talk.

About You

You thrive on solving challenging problems and bring a mix of technical expertise, creativity, and humor to your work. You enjoy working independently but also love collaborating with a team that shares your passion for making a difference.

Required Skills and Experience

• Fluency in Python..
• Experience with LLM lifecycle: prompt design/engineering, prompting techniques (RAG, few-shot, CoT, etc.), vector databases, multimodality, fine-tuning, and evaluation.
• Proven data science experience: You've been a key contributor to impactful projects and know how to deliver results with real-life outcomes.
• Statistical & causal ML fundamentals: expertise in experimental design, uncertainty quantification, and rigorous model evaluation across tabular, time-series, and foundation-model fine-tuning tasks.
• Deep learning experience: Expertise in building/training NLP or computer vision models with PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.
• Agile & AI-powered development: You run lean Kanban/Scrum cycles and leverage AI-powered tools like Cursor to prototype quickly and ship high-impact solutions.
• Growth mindset: You embrace challenges, value progress over perfection, and constantly seek to improve.
• Self-management: You can work independently, take ownership of projects, and deliver without constant oversight.
• Product and UX understanding: You care about delivering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
• Effective communication in English: Clear, concise, and maybe even witty communication is essential.

Bonus Points for

• Self-managed projects: Ideally something that you helped develop from zero and shipped to real users.
• Startup experience: You thrive in dynamic environments and enjoy taking on new challenges.
• Client relationship management: Experience managing clients and delivering excellent results.
• Passion for AI alignment: You care deeply about humanity's future and want to help navigate the challenges of advancing AI.

What We Offer

• Remote-first culture: Work from anywhere, or join us in one of our offices.
• Flexible schedules: We care about outcomes, not micromanagement.
• Competitive pay: Regular performance-based raises and a diversified employee equity program.
• Opportunities for growth: Work on cutting-edge R&D and propose projects that could become our next skunkworks focus.
• Supportive environment: A team that collaborates, mentors, and shares knowledge.
• Perks: Health insurance, free lunches (at the office), weekly knowledge-sharing talks, and an annual team retreat.

• The salary range is $180k to $ 240k per year for people based in California.
• 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.

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%.