Break Into AI Engineering
Your Actionable Roadmap
You've been trying to get into AI. The path feels unclear.
Here's the specific roadmap that gets developers hired in 8 weeks.
You Want In.
But the Path Is Foggy.
Everyone says 'learn ML' but nobody tells you exactly what to learn and in what order.
You've been studying for months but still don't feel job-ready.
Job descriptions ask for 'experience' you can't get without a job.
The Specific Path That Works.
The World-Class AI Engineer Cohort
Breaking into AI isn't about consuming more content. It's about the right skills, the right projects, and the right positioning. Get a clear roadmap tailored to your current background and target roles.
Skill Assessment
What you know vs what you need
Targeted Building
Projects that prove you're job-ready
Strategic Launch
Apply with a system that works
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.
The Gap Between Trying and Getting Hired Is Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to break into AI engineering?
With focused effort: 3-6 months for developers with relevant backgrounds (backend, data, ML-adjacent roles), 6-12 months for career changers with programming experience, 12-18 months for complete career changers. These timelines assume 10-15 hours per week of structured learning and project building. Coaching can compress timelines by eliminating wasted effort.
What background do I need to break into AI engineering?
Minimum viable background: programming ability (Python preferred) and willingness to learn. Ideal backgrounds: software engineering, data science, analytics, or any role involving code and data. The transition difficulty varies, but there's a path from almost any technical starting point. Complete career changers need longer runways but can absolutely make the transition.
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.