How to Go From Software Engineer
to AI Engineer in 90 Days

You've got years of solid engineering experience, but every AI job posting asks for skills you don't have yet.
Stop starting from scratch. Leverage your existing skills to land a $120K+ AI role.

AI Native Engineer Community Access

Your Engineering Experience Should Be an Advantage.
Instead, It Feels Like You're Starting Over.

You've shipped production code for years, but AI job descriptions make you feel like a junior again.

You've completed ML courses, but you still can't bridge the gap between tutorials and real AI engineering work.

Junior AI engineers with half your production experience are getting offers while you get ghosted.

Your Software Engineering Skills Are Your Secret Weapon.

The AI Career Accelerator

Most ML candidates only know Jupyter notebooks. You already understand production systems, debugging, testing, and deployment. We'll build on your foundation to fill the AI-specific gaps in weeks, not years.

1

Map Your Skills

Identify what transfers (70%+) and what to add

2

Build AI Projects

Create production-grade ML systems, not toy demos

3

Position & Land

Leverage your SWE background to stand out

Meet Your Mentor

Zen van Riel

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.

Career progression from Intern to Senior Engineer

Real Results

Vittor

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.

Limited Availability

Every Month You Wait Costs You $10K+

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.

$120K+
Average AI Engineer Salary
Source: levels.fyi
90 Days
To Guaranteed Interviews
20%+
Higher Pay Than Traditional Devs

Frequently Asked Questions

What skills do I already have that transfer to AI?

More than you think. Production Python, data structures, API design, testing, CI/CD, version control, and deployment experience all transfer directly. The gap is primarily ML fundamentals, model training basics, and MLOps patterns. This typically takes 8-12 weeks to fill with focused effort.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Will my software engineering skills actually transfer?

Absolutely. Software engineers have 60-70% of the skills needed for AI roles already. Your production code experience, system design knowledge, and debugging skills are exactly what AI teams need. Most ML candidates only know Jupyter notebooks. You already understand how to ship real software.

How long does the SWE to AI transition typically take?

With your software engineering background, you're already ahead. Most SWEs can make the transition in 2-3 months with focused effort. Compare that to career changers who need 6-12 months. Your production experience is a genuine competitive advantage.

Ready to Land Your AI Role?

Stop watching others succeed. Start building your AI career today.

30-minute strategy call • Limited spots available