How Long Does It Take
to Become an AI Engineer?
The honest answer: 3-6 months for most people with consistent effort.
Your specific timeline depends on your starting point. Here's what's realistic for your situation.
AI Native Engineer Community Access
Everyone Promises Different Timelines.
What's Actually Realistic?
Some say 6 months, others say 2 years. You've seen bootcamps promising jobs in 12 weeks and degrees taking 4 years. Who's telling the truth?
You need to plan around your current job and life. You can't commit to something if you don't know how long it actually takes.
You want an honest assessment, not marketing promises. How long did it actually take for people like you?
Your Timeline Depends on Where You're Starting
The AI Career Accelerator
I've helped dozens of people transition to AI engineering. Here's what I've seen work in practice, based on starting background.
Assess Your Starting Point
SWE background? 2-3 months. Technical adjacent? 4-6 months. Complete beginner? 6-9 months.
Focus on Implementation
Build projects that prove skills, not just learn theory. This compresses timelines dramatically.
Get Strategic Guidance
The right guidance cuts months off your timeline by avoiding common detours
Meet Your Mentor
When I started in tech, I was based in the Netherlands with no connections and only thousands of video game hours under my belt. Not exactly the ideal starting point.
My first tech job was software tester. One of the most junior roles you can start with. I was just happy someone took a chance on me.
I kept learning. Kept pivoting. But what actually accelerated my career wasn't more certifications or more code. It was learning to solve problems that matter and proving beyond a doubt that what I built solved real problems. That's the skill that stays future-proof, even with AI.
I've since worked remotely for international software companies throughout my career. Proof that the high-paid remote path is possible for anyone with the right skills and motivation. In the end, I went from a $500/month internship to 6 figures as a Senior AI Engineer at GitHub.
Becoming an AI-Native Engineer is a system I lived through and offer to you today.
Real Results
Vittor
AI Engineer
Landed his first AI Engineering role in 3 months
"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
Personalized Roadmap & Career Strategy
A custom plan tailored to your background, goals, and timeline. No generic advice.
Weekly 1:1 Coaching Calls
Direct access to Zen for guidance, project feedback, and answers to your questions.
Portfolio-Ready AI Projects
Build production-grade AI applications to showcase to employers. Work that gets you hired.
Interview Prep & Mock Interviews
Practice technical and behavioral interviews. Learn what hiring managers look for.
Resume & LinkedIn Optimization
Transform your online presence to attract recruiters. Stand out from other applicants.
Community Career Support
Join the AI Native Engineer community. Not seeing results yet? You stay and keep going. We're with you through the ups and downs.
Every Month of Unfocused Learning Adds to Your Timeline
Every month you delay can cost you thousands in lost earning potential. While you're watching tutorials, others are landing $120K+ AI Engineering roles.
I can only work with a limited number of 1:1 clients at a time to ensure you get the personalized attention you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long if I'm already a software engineer?
2-3 months is realistic. You already have 60-70% of the skills needed: Python, production code, deployment, testing. The gap is primarily AI fundamentals (LLMs, embeddings, RAG) and building 2-3 AI projects. With focused effort and guidance, many SWEs transition in 8-12 weeks.
How long if I'm starting from scratch with no coding experience?
6-9 months is realistic for complete beginners. You'll need to learn Python first (4-6 weeks), then AI fundamentals and implementation (8-12 weeks), then build a portfolio and position yourself (4-6 weeks). It's longer, but absolutely achievable with consistent effort.
How long if I can only study part-time while working?
Add 50% to the timelines above. If you can dedicate 10-15 hours per week consistently, a 3-month timeline becomes 4-5 months. The key is consistency, not intensity. 10 hours every week beats 40-hour weekend marathons followed by weeks of nothing.
Do I need prior AI experience?
Not necessarily. While some programming experience is helpful, many of my clients have successfully transitioned from web development, data science, or other technical backgrounds. We'll assess your current skills during our strategy call and create a personalized plan that meets you where you are.
How much time do I need to commit?
Most clients invest 10-15 hours per week, but this can be flexible based on your schedule. We'll have weekly 1:1 calls plus time for you to work on projects and learning. The key is consistency. Regular, focused effort beats occasional marathons.
Can I do this while working full-time?
Absolutely. Most of my clients work full-time and make steady progress. We'll schedule calls at times that work for you and create a realistic plan that fits your schedule. Consistency matters more than intensity.
What if I don't land interviews in 90 days?
You become a member of the AI Native Engineer community, and you stay and keep going. Career transitions take different amounts of time for everyone, and I'm not going to abandon you if things take longer. You get ongoing support through good times and bad.
How is this different from online courses?
Online courses give you content. 1:1 coaching gives you a personalized roadmap, direct feedback on your work, career strategy, interview prep, and accountability. You get answers to your specific questions and guidance tailored to your unique situation instead of generic advice meant for everyone.
What's the investment for 1:1 coaching?
Investment details are discussed during the 30-minute strategy call, where we'll assess your goals and create a custom plan. The program is designed to pay for itself quickly through your increased salary. Most AI engineers see a 20-50% pay increase.
What's the fastest realistic path to becoming an AI engineer?
8-12 weeks for someone with software engineering experience who can commit 15-20 hours per week. The fastest paths involve: (1) personalized guidance to avoid wasted effort, (2) building real projects from week one, (3) strategic positioning for AI-specific roles. Generic courses or bootcamps are rarely the fastest option.
Are there any shortcuts to becoming an AI engineer faster?
The biggest 'shortcut' is avoiding the wrong things: endless tutorial watching, Kaggle competitions (hiring managers don't care), building toy projects instead of production systems. Focus on implementation from day one, get feedback on your work, and position yourself strategically. Guidance from someone who hires AI engineers can cut months off your timeline.
Ready to Land Your AI Role?
Stop watching others succeed. Start building your AI career today.
30-minute strategy call • Limited spots available