AI Builder (Engineer)
AI Builder / Analyst (Technical) — ODDBIRD VC, San Francisco
Opportunity to build and empower the next generation of frontier AI founders.
We are a San Francisco–based venture firm (team from Stanford, Harvard, Forbes 30 Under 30) investing in AI.
Our team has previously invested at top Sand Hill Road firms in companies now valued over $14 B, including Glean, Anterior, Rome, and Lucidic — and we regularly invest and host events alongside Kleiner Perkins, Sequoia, and a16z.
We back top technical founders at day zero, sometimes even before the company is incorporated.
We’re looking for a recent CS grad to join our investment team full-time — someone eager to (a) get to know and engage the smartest engineers, and (b) help us build one of the first AI-native venture firms, where AI is woven into how we source, evaluate, and support founders.
This role is perfect for someone who wants to be among the best frontier AI builders, witness great founder DNA, and see how investors evaluate (and predict!) the future. You may aspire to start your own company in 3–5 years — or become a career venture capitalist.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Projects may evolve, but examples include:
Engage and scout top entrepreneurial engineers. Build a network of AI scientists and “insiders” who could be future founders — thus sourcing new investment opportunities.
Sponsor top builders with day-zero capital to bring their ideas to life.
Build new programs (e.g., Neo, AGI House, HF0) for highly strategic founder pools.
Critique frontier research, run experiments, and interview engineers building on the cutting edge — generating new, unobvious insights.
Stretch: develop AI-driven workflows, tools, and methods to create net-new capabilities & investment alpha — e.g., isolating signal vs. noise in emerging research or running just-in-time engineering surveys.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
Technically sharp: you can code, break complex ideas (fusion, robotics, etc.) into first principles, test new tools, and call b/s quickly among founders.
Analytical & synthetic: you connect dots, simplify complexity, and draw clear insights from diverse information.
Outbound & high-energy: bias to action; energized by meeting new people; plugged into strong tech ecosystems.
Resourceful & curious: you figure things out, find your way to interesting people, and love experimenting with AI tools.
Strong communication, relentless work ethic, and effective time management.
The gravitas to represent the firm externally.
Bonus: you’ve been a founder or early team member at a startup.
WHAT WE’RE NOT LOOKING FOR
No experience with startups or recent AI companies.
Can’t code or out of touch with modern AI tools.
Not ready for a high-intensity, field-sport environment.
Need heavy structure or constant direction to thrive.
Require visa sponsorship (we’re unable to provide work authorization at this time).
WHAT YOU’LL GET
Direct mentorship working 1:1 with the CEO (ex-Stanford GSB, Forbes 30 U30, former Lightspeed General Partner who launched new regions for Lightspeed).
Access to partners at Sequoia, Lightspeed, Union Square Ventures, and other top firms — student-level access that won’t last forever 😊
Carried interest in funds (unusual for a recent grad).
Ability to sponsor investments (also rare for a recent grad).
Accelerated trajectory toward partner-level responsibilities and market visibility.
Over time: opportunity to lead deals, publish insights, and engage directly with LPs. If you want to start a business, we may help you get off the ground.
Office: 350 Townsend St, San Francisco — in-person culture.