Senior AI Developer / Technical Lead

The Opportunity

We're looking for a Senior AI/Backend Developer with deep expertise in Python, backend systems, and AI agent frameworks to join our studio team as both a technical contributor and mentor. As a player-coach, you'll split your time between hands-on development and leading our team of developers—helping set technical direction, mentoring junior talent, and ensuring best practices across our ventures.

You'll help build and scale AI-powered applications across multiple ventures while guiding a distributed team of 3-5 developers through technical challenges and career growth. This role focuses on strengthening human relationships through technology, both in the products we build and the team culture we foster.

This is a full-time, fully remote role working within a small studio of 10-15 passionate builders yearly launching three new redemptive AI ventures in partnership with Praxis.

Who We Are

Sprout AI is pursuing a relational renaissance through venture building. We partner with exceptional entrepreneurs to create AI ventures that deepen authentic human connections in an increasingly digital world. Our founding team combines decades of proven commercial success with a powerful redemptive vision for how entrepreneurs can address the major issues of our time.

What You'll Do

Technical Contribution (60-70%)

Design and develop intelligent agent systems and backend services that scale
Build multi agent systems using LangGraph, Open AI Agents SDK, etc.
Fine-tune and deploy models, manage training datasets, and maintain performance
Integrate backend functionality with web/mobile frontends (React, Next.js)
Stay on the leading edge of evolving coding agents and AI-assisted development tools and workflows (Cursor, Codex, Claude Code, etc)
Support 2-3 ventures per year, contributing across prototype, MVP, and launch phases

Leadership & Mentorship (30-40%)

Mentor and guide 3-5 developers of varying experience levels, helping accelerate their technical growth
Take lead on making key architecture and tech stack decisions across our startup ventures
Help prioritize technical work across the team, balancing immediate needs with long-term architecture
Serve as the go-to technical resource for problem-solving and architectural decisions
Foster a culture of learning, experimentation, and continuous improvement
Work asynchronously across time zones, ensuring smooth handoffs and clear communication

Our Development Approach

We embrace an AI-augmented development process that maximizes creativity and efficiency:

Rapidly prototype concepts using tools like V0, Lovable, etc
Develop applications using AI-assisted coding with Cursor, Codex, Claude Code
Deploy and iterate quickly using Railway, Vercel, Replit, and Lambda Labs H100s
Focus on building what matters through rapid experimentation and validation

What We're Looking For

Required:

7+ years of experience building production-grade web/backend applications
2+ years of experience mentoring developers or leading technical teams
Strong experience with backend development in Python (Flask, FastAPI, etc.)
Experience with API design, microservices, and relational/non-relational databases
Knowledge of cloud-based deployment, CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps basics
Familiarity with AI agent frameworks (e.g., LangGraph) and LLM RAG implementations
Demonstrated ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly
A proactive, builder mindset and the ability to work independently while supporting others
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English

Preferred:

Experience fine-tuning models and building/managing datasets
Understanding of security best practices, performance optimization, and API scaling
Previous experience in startup or venture-building environments
Excitement about working on projects that restore and deepen human connection

Why Join Us

Build AI-first products that positively impact human relationships
Shape the technical culture and growth of a talented development team
Collaborate with ambitious founders across multiple ventures each year
Be part of a lean team redefining product development with AI
Enjoy flexibility and autonomy in a globally distributed team
Work on real problems with real societal stakes—from 0 to 1
Grow your leadership skills while maintaining hands-on technical work

Our Culture

We're builders and innovators at heart, exploring how technology can be applied redemptively rather than accepting the status quo. While we set audacious targets, we remain committed to a posture of humility. We balance high standards with grace, knowing that building ventures requires iteration and learning.

We value mentorship and believe that growing others is as important as shipping code. We're looking for someone who finds energy in both solving hard technical problems and helping others do the same.

How to Apply

If you're passionate about using AI to deepen human connection, enjoy mentoring others, and want to build ventures that matter, we'd love to meet you.

Complete the application below to tell us more about yourself.