Applied AI Engineering Manager, Startups | Core

Skills

About the Role

You will lead and scale the Startups Applied AI Engineering team, helping high-growth startups go from experimentation to production. You will mentor technical ICs, advise on architecture, act as a senior technical escalation point for founders and CTOs, and partner with Sales, Product, Engineering and Research to build repeatable playbooks and reference architectures.

Requirements

• Experience founding, scaling or operating within early-stage startups, ideally in technical leadership
• Track record building and leading technical customer-facing teams
• Strong technical depth across APIs, platform products, AI/ML systems, developer workflows and production deployment
• Experience creating scalable operating models
• Comfortable working with founders, CTOs and technical executives
• Strong judgment on deep engagement versus repeatable mechanisms
• Ability to translate technical considerations into clear recommendations

Responsibilities

• Craft and refine the strategic vision and operating model for the Startups Applied AI Engineering team
• Lead, mentor and grow a team of technical ICs
• Help startups move from experimentation to production by identifying blockers and advising on architecture
• Partner with Sales to accelerate adoption and account growth
• Synthesize startup customer feedback for Product and Research
• Build playbooks, starter packs, reference architectures and internal tooling
• Serve as senior technical escalation point for priority customers
• Balance urgent customer needs with broader product priorities
• Coach Applied AI Engineers on technical quality, prioritization and executive communication
• Partner across Sales, Product, Engineering, Research and GTM teams