Founding Engineering Leader

About Fractional AI

Fractional AI builds custom generative AI software to transform businesses. Our elite engineering team partners with clients to tackle their highest-value AI projects, driving measurable business outcomes at scale. We take AI initiatives from proof-of-concept to production-grade systems – creating efficiency and unlocking new revenue streams.

In the last 18 months, we've built a track record of success with private equity firms and their portfolio companies. Building on that success, Fractional AI is launching a new division to bring our proven AI transformation capabilities to enterprise clients. This is our opportunity to define how the world's largest organizations adopt and scale generative AI – and we need exceptional leaders to build it with us.

About the role

We're seeking an Engineering Leader to co-found the new division alongside our General Manager. This is a unique opportunity to build something transformative from the ground up while leveraging the proven playbooks, brand equity, and deep expertise that have made Fractional AI the go-to partner in private equity.

You won't just be joining a company – you'll be building a business. As co-founder of the enterprise division, you'll have the autonomy to define how we win, deliver, and scale in the enterprise market. You'll architect the technical strategy, build the engineering team, and establish Fractional AI as the trusted partner for enterprises betting their future on AI.

What you’ll do

• Scale the enterprise division: Partner with the General Manager to build the division into a billion-dollar business, defining strategy, go-to-market approach, and operational excellence with the autonomy to move fast and innovate.

• Build a world-class team: Recruit, hire, and develop the engineering team, creating the best place to learn applied AI through hands-on work with cutting-edge technology and enterprise business challenges.

• Champion the Fractional culture: Actively cultivate Fractional AI’s engineering-first culture, embedding core values into hiring decisions, daily practices, and decision-making. Maximize the speed benefit of enterprise running as a largely autonomous division, while protecting the overall company culture and a feeling that we’re all building Fractional AI together.

• Architect enterprise AI solutions: Lead technical discovery with C-suite executives to identify transformative opportunities, then design and deliver production-grade AI systems that solve complex business problems at enterprise scale.

• Define the delivery motion: Establish scalable processes and frameworks for consistent and high-quality execution across all enterprise engagements, from initial scoping through production deployment.

• Win the technical sale: Partner with the General Manager to secure multi-million dollar contracts, serving as the technical voice in executive conversations and translating complex AI capabilities into clear business value.

• Pioneer new AI capabilities: Stay ahead of the curve by experimenting with frontier models, developing novel AI applications, and turning emerging research into practical enterprise solutions.

What you bring to the table

• Proven builder: 8+ years leading technical teams with experience building and scaling new business units or startups from 0 to 1.

• Talent magnet: Track record of recruiting and developing world-class engineering teams, with a passion for creating environments where exceptional people do their best work.

• Technical depth: Expert-level understanding of AI systems with hands-on experience deploying production AI at scale, from LLMs to workflow automation to agentic systems.

• Enterprise fluency: Comfort navigating large organization dynamics, with experience working directly with C-suite executives and delivering value, despite enterprise organizational complexity.

• Entrepreneurial drive: Natural ability to operate in ambiguity, create clarity from chaos, and maintain high velocity while building something new.

• Exceptional communicator: Ability to translate complex technical concepts for any audience – from engineers to CEOs – and inspire teams toward a shared vision.

• Client obsession: Deep commitment to understanding client needs and delivering solutions that create measurable business impact, not just technical elegance.

Why you should (and shouldn’t) join us

We believe in transparency and know joining a company is a big decision. We’re not the best fit for everyone and try to be clear on what we are and what we’re not so you make the choice that’s right for you.

Why join Fractional?

• A front-row seat to the AI revolution. You'll launch and scale the enterprise division that defines how leading companies leverage AI, working directly with CEOs and boards on their most strategic initiatives. Within your first year, you'll have led more enterprise AI implementations than most technical leaders deliver in a decade.

• Veteran founders and an exceptional team. The current team is built from multi-time founders, including leadership that drove a $7 billion exit. You'll work alongside elite engineers from NASA, Palantir, Google, and Meta who've chosen to tackle only the highest-impact AI challenges.

• A huge and growing problem space. Getting generative AI into production is the challenge of our time – with legacy consulting firms already driving several billion dollars per year in advising revenue. Most offerings on the market don’t meet the need – they are one size fits all product solutions or advising services, without the engineering team to deliver. We offer the engineering talent to meet the need.

Why shouldn't you join Fractional?

• We are unapologetically building an engineering-first culture. This is how we build the team to meet the moment. We overdeliver for our clients by crafting a culture that enables the best engineers to thrive.

• We are a professional services business. Building for clients and their customers is distinctly different from building for your own product’s customer or users. It’s not for everyone.

• We’re a team of doers. For the right person, this is a pro, not a con, but this is a “build what you need” role with a “no job too big, no job too small mindset.”

Our Values

We overdeliver.

We overuse AI.

We “over engineer” the culture.

Location

Raleigh-Durham Area (4 days in-person, Fridays remote)

Benefits

🏦 Competitive Compensation Package: Attractive salary aligned with your experience and skills.

📈 401k with Matching: Invest in your future with our company-matched retirement plan.

🌴 Unlimited PTO: Take the time you need to relax and rejuvenate.

🏥 Exceptional Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Comprehensive health benefits to keep you and your family healthy.

🚑 Health FSA: Manage out-of-pocket health expenses effectively.

🚌 Commuter Benefits: Make your travel to work easier and more affordable.

🏥 Life Insurance: Providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

🎉 Team Events and Activities: Regular events to build camaraderie and a strong team spirit.