Technical Co-Founder-Bolinas AI

Bolinas AI is transforming the $1.5 Trillion corporate managed travel industry through an AI-driven chat-based “personal agent” that delivers personalized, cost-effective travel solutions for frequent business travelers. The company uses generative AI and advanced data analytics to ensure that corporate travelers spend minimal time planning and booking their business trips (air, hotel, ground, dining, entertainment), and yet they experience a more productive trip that’s in compliance with corporate travel programs and budgets.

Bolinas AI is partnering with AI Fund to fuel an MVP and future growth from the AI Fund. AI Fund is a venture studio dedicated to addressing challenges that propel the world forward. With a vision to meld AI technology with essential applications, AI Fund champions the belief that AI, much like electricity did, has the power to revolutionize a myriad of industries. As part of this endeavor, you'll gain unparalleled access to the world's leading AI luminaries and exclusive AI Fund resources.

As our Technical Co-Founder, you will play a crucial role in developing Bolinas' technology strategy and software architecture, leading the building of our prototype and MVP solution. We are at stage zero, so you will have the freedom to define the tech stack and build your dream team of experts across software engineering and AI/ML.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Lead the development of the company's AI-powered “corporate travel assistant”, including (a) the embedded AI technology layer for the travel industry (air, lodging, ground, and dining/entertainment), (b) the architecture for future global expansion, and (c) connections to industry ecosystem technologies through APIs and NDCs (direct connects).
• Design and implement a data filtering solution to “narrow” the choice sets (air, hotel primarily) for consideration to corporate travelers. 
• Architect large data sets and perform data analysis to support the mission of delivering a more personalized, relevant and cost efficient set of travel options for business travelers. 
• Optimize the price/value of “buying travel” by continually monitoring inventory/pricing information.
• Lead a team of engineers and data scientists to deliver time-sensitive results and meet technical milestones.
• Drive integrations through API connectors with key technology and business partners to gain market presence.
• Evaluate Antropic, Chat GPT, AWS Bedrock, and other foundational AI tools as a potential technology solution.

Role Expectations:

• Leadership & Strategy: Provide visionary leadership and strategy for the engineering team; Establish and drive strategic technology goals and objectives.
• Team Development: Hire, mentor, and develop engineering talent, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Proven success in a remote environment.
• Collaboration: Work closely with all teams to ensure alignment between business and technological goals.
• You'll be expected to demonstrate a lead-by-example leadership style, an unparalleled commitment, and a proactive mindset to shape the foundation and drive the company's success from its earliest stages.
• Ready to dive deep, encompassing a hands-on, get-it-done mentality for whatever is needed, regardless of the job role.
• Be a full-time coach for your team to develop talent and create opportunities for staff.
• Mentor other departments, such as customer service and implementation, on the technology to best support customers.
• Being comfortable presenting to the board, addressing the entire company, and engaging in discussions with high-value potential customer prospects.
• Always strategizing and proactively sharing insights on improving the company, enhancing our product, and empowering our team to achieve greater success.
• Participation in fundraising activities.

Position Requirements Include:

• Entrepreneurial Experience: Previous experience as a co-founder for a VC-backed technology company.
• Zero to One: Previous experience building a software product from scratch.
• Full Stack Development: Across the software development lifecycle, ensuring best practices in both front-end and back-end development.
• AI/ML Proficiency: Experience in writing code for, or leading code development, in Machine Learning and/or Artificial Intelligence.
• Strong understanding of AI/ML technologies to drive innovation within our product and ensure the engineering team stays updated with the latest advancements.
• Integration and Scalability: Familiarity with integrating various data sources, tools, and platforms, ensuring scalability and growth optimization, including with APIs for integration with target corporate customers and the technology entities that they might use (not a requirement to have industry experience, but these are industry specific examples: with OBTs –Online Booking Tools; TMCs - Travel Management Companies; GDSs - Global Distribution Systems).
• Data Management: Demonstrated ability to lead and develop data management and governance practices, ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field a plus; Advanced degrees a plus.
• Customers: Experience in working directly with customers, and working with large customer data sets, to understand their needs and pain points. 
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a team, manage complex projects, and drive results in a fast-paced, startup environment.
• Fundraising: Previous experience being on the “founding team” or “leadership team” and participating as Technical Executive/CTO in raising VC funds strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves Include:

• Commercially minded, with a proven track record of growing and scaling venture-backed businesses
• Experience in Travel Tech industry

Why Join Bolinas AI:

• Be a key player in building a product that will transform how B2B companies experience corporate travel.
• Work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where your contributions are valued and your ideas can shape the company's future.
• Backed by AI Fund and Andrew Ng, you’ll have access to top-tier resources, mentorship, and a network that can help accelerate your career.