AI Engineer
At a glance
Mid-level AI Engineering role at K1. Manhattan Beach · full-time · no salary stated · we estimate $132,450–$205,151 across the United States.
K1 has not published a salary for this role. The figure below is our estimate, not theirs.
aimlroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Build and launch AI automations with Claude, Microsoft 365 tools and custom integrations to reduce manual work
- Prototype tools such as competitive research scrapers and board-report generators, then refine them using user feedback
- Assess new AI models, tools and frameworks, and turn what you learn into recommendations for the investment team
- Create dashboards, data pipelines and agent workflows for investment professionals
What you bring
- A bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, data science, business combined with computer science, or a related area
- Prior internship, role or substantial project work in AI/ML, software engineering or data science
- Daily, practical use of Claude, including prompt design, multi-step workflows and applying it to real tasks
- Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 and the ability to ship code in Python or JavaScript
Who this fits
This role suits someone who takes initiative, adapts to ambiguity and is keenly interested in AI. You'll join the founding AI team, report to a founding partner and work in-office in Manhattan Beach five days a week.
From the employer
AI Engineer
Founding AI Team Reporting Directly to Partner
If you want to move fast, ship real things, and have outsized impact at a leading PE firm—keep reading.
Position Summary:
K1 is seeking an AI Engineer to join our founding AI team in Manhattan Beach, CA. This is not a typical role. You will be one of the founding members of K1's internal AI function, reporting directly to a Founding Partner with no middle management, no busywork, and real ownership from day one. You will work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, enterprise software, and private equity operations — shipping real automations, building real tools, and driving real impact across a portfolio of 275+ companies. The right candidate will embody the values of K1 – Passion, Persistence, Humility, and Excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
Designing, building, and deploying AI-powered automations using Claude, Microsoft 365 (Power Automate, Copilot, SharePoint), and custom integrations to eliminate manual processes across the firm and portfolio companies;
Rapidly prototyping AI tools and agents — from competitive intelligence scrapers to board-report generators — and iterating quickly based on real user feedback;
Evaluating emerging AI models, tools, and frameworks and synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations for the investment team;
Building internal dashboards, data pipelines, and agentic workflows that give K1's investment professionals an unfair advantage;
Performing other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Business + CS, or a related field;
At least one prior internship/role or substantive project experience in AI/ML, software engineering, or data science;
Proficiency with Claude (Anthropic) as a daily working tool — prompt engineering, multi-step workflows, and integration into real tasks;
Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams); familiarity with Power Automate or Copilot Studio is a plus;
- Proficiency in Python and/or JavaScript — you don't need to be a systems engineer, but you need to be able to ship working code;
- Bias toward action, comfort with ambiguity, and a genuine obsession with where AI is headed;
Ability to work in-office in Manhattan Beach 5 days per week.
About K1:
K1 Investment Management is one of the largest investors in small-cap AI-powered software. Dedicated to transforming lives and industries by building category leaders in technology, K1 has invested in over 275 companies since inception. Headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, the firm partners early with founders and management teams to build AI-powered, mission-critical systems of record for enterprise clients globally.
For more information, visit k1.com and follow K1 Investment Management on LinkedIn.