AI Jobs in Seattle
Big Tech's AI Powerhouse
Seattle hosts Amazon AWS AI, Microsoft Research, and a growing startup ecosystem.
Land $150K-$280K+ roles in America's second-largest AI hub.
Seattle Has the Jobs.
Big Tech Sets the Bar High.
Amazon and Microsoft dominate the market with rigorous bar-raiser interviews and specific LP expectations.
Job postings demand very specific ML frameworks and cloud certifications that feel overwhelming.
You keep applying to the same big tech roles but never hear back from recruiters.
Your Seattle AI Job Strategy.
The World-Class AI Engineer Cohort
Understand what Seattle AI employers actually want beyond the job posting. Learn to navigate Big Tech interviews and discover the thriving startup scene most candidates overlook.
Seattle Market Map
Big Tech vs startups vs enterprise strategy
PNW-Ready Portfolio
Projects that resonate with Seattle employers
Land Your Role
Prep for Amazon, Microsoft, and startup interviews
Meet Your Mentor
My aim has been the same for years: become a world-class AI engineer. Every career move I've made has been measured against that.
I started as a software tester on a $500/month internship in the Netherlands. Taught myself to code, learned to ship real systems, and worked my way to Senior Engineer at GitHub.
Then I left GitHub. I joined an AI research lab as Member of Technical Staff, where I currently build products for secure AI monitoring.
The cohort draws directly from my real experience so you can make progress fast.
I run this special cohort with only a few people because hands-on work with me is what it takes to bring you to become a world-class AI engineer.
Real Results
Vittor
AI Engineer
Built and deployed his portfolio piece, then landed the AI role
"The coaching played a huge part in my success. I focused on AI fundamentals, the certification path, and soft skills like professional writing. Having access to expert guidance gave me confidence during interviews and helped me feel I was on the right path.
I built my own platform (simple but functional) and deployed it on AWS. I used it in my portfolio and showcased it during interviews. The way complex topics were explained, especially the restaurant analogy for AI systems, really stuck with me. Focusing on doing the basics well was absolutely essential."
What You Will Get
8 Weekly Tuesday Sessions
3 hours each for 24 live hours total.
Project Scoping at Kickoff
We set the scope of what you'll ship and the milestones to get there before the live sessions start.
Code Reviews
Reviews of your code from Zen during the cohort.
Lifetime Demo Access
Every architecture demo is recorded and yours to keep.
Demo Day
You present what you built and get feedback from Zen, with a recording you can use in your portfolio.
12 Months Community Access
Included with the cohort.
Seattle AI Hiring Accelerates in 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What do AI engineers earn in Seattle?
Seattle AI engineer salaries range from $140K-$170K for junior roles to $200K-$280K+ for senior positions at Amazon and Microsoft. Total compensation including RSUs can push senior roles past $350K. Cost of living is lower than San Francisco, making Seattle compensation highly competitive. Startups offer equity that can rival Big Tech packages.
What companies hire AI engineers in Seattle?
Seattle has major AI employers across sectors. Amazon AWS leads with teams building SageMaker, Bedrock, and internal ML systems. Microsoft has Azure AI, Copilot, and Research labs. Meta and Google have Seattle offices. Growing startups include Covariant, Xnor.ai alumni companies, and Allen Institute spinoffs. Boeing and healthcare companies like Providence also hire AI talent.
How much time will this take?
You'll spend 3 hours every Tuesday in the live session and roughly 3 hours of async work in between, for 8 weeks. The Tuesday session time is fixed.
I've signed up for cohorts before and dropped out. How is this different?
It probably isn't, and you should hold the money. Most cohort dropouts are people who couldn't articulate what they were shipping when they signed up. That's why the consult exists, and why I turn down most applications. If we get on the call and you can't tell me what you'll have shipped at the end of week 8, I'll point you to the AI Native Engineer community until you can.
I'm not pivoting careers. I want to build a product. Does this still work?
Yes, the cohort works for people shipping their first serious AI system whether the goal is to land a senior role or to launch a product. The shipped system serves both equally well.
Do I need prior AI experience?
You need to be able to code in Python or TypeScript. Complete beginners can follow the classroom they get access to before the cohort sessions to come in well-prepared.
What does it cost?
It's a four-figure investment that we discuss during the 30-minute consult, alongside whether the cohort is the right fit for your project.
Can I do this while working full-time?
Yes, most attendees do. The live session is one Tuesday a week and the async work fits around your existing schedule, as long as you can carve out roughly 6 hours a week.
I accept those who have the highest chance of success.
In the 30-minute call we discuss your goals and whether you are ready for the program.