Python AI Engineer Jobs
Your Skills Are 80% There

Python is the language of AI. Your existing skills transfer directly.
Add the right 20% and land $120K-$180K+ AI roles.

You Know Python.
AI Feels Like a Different World.

You're proficient in Python but AI job descriptions feel like a foreign language.

LangChain, RAG, embeddings, vector databases. Where do you even start?

You're worried the AI train is leaving and you're not on it.

Leverage Your Python Foundation.

The World-Class AI Engineer Cohort

Your Python skills are the hardest part. AI engineering is Python engineering with specific libraries and patterns. Learn what to add, skip what you don't need, and transition faster than you think.

1

AI Python Stack

LangChain, OpenAI SDK, vector DBs

2

Build AI Projects

RAG systems, agents, AI APIs

3

Land AI Roles

Position Python + AI skills

Meet Your Mentor

Zen van Riel

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.

Career progression from Intern to Senior Engineer

Real Results

Vittor

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.

Python Developers Have an AI Advantage

8
Weeks
6
Seats per Cohort
24
Live Hours with Zen

Frequently Asked Questions

How much of my Python knowledge transfers to AI?

Almost everything. AI engineering is Python engineering. Your knowledge of async, APIs, data structures, testing, and deployment all transfer directly. The AI-specific additions are mostly libraries (LangChain, OpenAI SDK) and patterns (RAG, embeddings, prompting). You're not starting over. You're adding a specialization.

What do I need to add to my Python skills for AI?

Libraries: LangChain or similar LLM frameworks, OpenAI/Anthropic SDKs, vector database clients (Pinecone, Weaviate). Concepts: embeddings and similarity search, prompt engineering, RAG patterns, AI application architecture. Tools: LangSmith or similar for observability. You can learn this in weeks, not years, because you already have the Python foundation.

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.