AI Research Engineer Jobs:
Where Papers Become Products
Research Engineers bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and production systems.
Salaries range from $150K-$350K+ at AI labs and Big Tech research teams.
AI Native Engineer Community Access
You Want to Do Research That Ships.
But the Path Is Unclear.
Job postings blur the line between Research Scientist and Research Engineer. You're not sure which one fits your skills and goals.
You don't want to spend years publishing papers that never see production. But you also don't want to lose touch with cutting-edge research.
Many roles list 'PhD preferred' or require publications. You're not sure if your engineering background is enough to compete.
Turn Engineering Skills Into Research Impact.
The AI Career Accelerator
Research Engineers are the rare breed who can read papers AND ship code. You translate experimental prototypes into scalable systems. You collaborate with researchers while maintaining production standards. The role requires both depth in ML fundamentals and the engineering discipline to make research reproducible and deployable.
Clarify Your Path
Research Engineer vs Research Scientist: know the difference
Build Research-Grade Projects
Reimplement papers, contribute to open-source ML frameworks
Position as the Bridge
Demonstrate you can ship research, not just read it
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.
Now I teach over 22,000 engineers on YouTube. 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.
AI Labs Are Scaling Fast. Research Engineers Are in Short Supply.
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
What's the difference between Research Engineer and Research Scientist?
Research Scientists focus on novel research, publishing papers, and advancing the field. Research Engineers focus on making research work at scale. You'll implement papers, optimize training pipelines, build infrastructure for experiments, and ensure research code can be reproduced and deployed. Research Scientists often have PhDs and focus on publications. Research Engineers typically have strong engineering backgrounds and focus on making research practical. Many Research Engineers eventually transition to Research Scientist roles after building deep domain expertise.
Do I need a PhD for AI Research Engineer roles?
It depends on the company. At academic-style AI labs (DeepMind, OpenAI research teams, FAIR), PhD preference is common but not universal. At Big Tech research teams (Google Brain, Apple ML Research, Amazon Science), strong engineering skills with demonstrated ML expertise can substitute. At applied AI companies, practical experience often matters more than credentials. The key differentiator: can you read, understand, and implement research papers? If you can show that through open-source contributions or paper reimplementations, you can compete without a PhD.
What do AI Research Engineers earn in 2026?
AI Research Engineer salaries reflect the specialized skillset required. Entry-level roles at well-funded startups or Big Tech start at $130K-$160K. Mid-level (3-5 years) ranges from $160K-$220K. Senior Research Engineers at AI labs (OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepMind) or Big Tech research divisions earn $220K-$350K+ total compensation including equity. Elite AI labs competing for top talent sometimes exceed $400K. The premium comes from the rare combination of research intuition and engineering discipline these roles require.
Which companies hire AI Research Engineers?
The market breaks into tiers: (1) Frontier AI labs - OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepMind, xAI, Mistral - where you work on cutting-edge models, (2) Big Tech research divisions - Google DeepMind, Meta FAIR, Microsoft Research, Apple ML Research, Amazon Science, (3) AI-native companies - Hugging Face, Cohere, Stability AI, Scale AI, (4) Applied research teams at tech companies building specialized AI products. Each tier has different cultures: AI labs emphasize publications and breakthrough research, Big Tech balances research with product impact, AI-native companies focus on open-source and developer tools.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Ready to Land Your AI Role?
Stop watching others succeed. Start building your AI career today.
30-minute strategy call • Limited spots available