8X Energy | AI / Machine Learning Lead (Fast track to CTO)
Location: Frederick, MD (preferred) or Remote Compensation: Equity-based (Pre-investment)
About the Company
We are building the AI-powered energy decision infrastructure SaaS for the commercial energy transition. We have a USPTO non-provisional patent pending on our core methodology and a live pilot project underway at a Maryland nonprofit technology incubator.
The company is currently pre-investment. We are in active seed raise discussions and have enterprise pilot confirmations from pharmaceutical companies, electric companies, national energy trading platforms, and federal agencies.
The Role
You will lead the AI and machine learning layer across three energy-specific products, working directly with the CEO and the existing development team. This is a fast track to CTO position for a technical leader who is ready to take ownership of the architecture and product lifecycle.
Requirements
We are looking for someone who has shipped production SaaS before. You are not a researcher or a consultant; you are someone who has taken software from prototype to deployment, maintained it in production, and understands what breaks when real users engage.
- Production Experience: You have built and deployed at least one production AI or ML system that real customers use today.
- Full-Stack Capability: You are comfortable with the full stack from model development through deployment.
- Legacy & Greenfield: You possess legacy software development capability and can work in an existing codebase, not just greenfield projects.
- System Reliability: You understand the difference between a model that performs well in testing and a system that works reliably in production.
- Architecture: You have led or been a senior contributor on a SaaS product from architecture through deployment.
- Communication: You are comfortable working with a non-technical founder CEO and translating business requirements into technical specifications.
- Domain Knowledge: Energy domain experience is a plus, but the ability to learn a domain fast is required.
- Compliance: You understand what it means to build AI systems that are auditable, accurate, and defensible in a regulated environment.
Compensation
- Pre-investment: Equity only, 3.5% to 7.5% depending on experience and contribution level. Vesting follows a standard 4-year schedule with a 1-year cliff.
- Post-investment: Market-rate salary plus retained equity.
Note: We are not asking you to work for free indefinitely; we are asking you to believe in the upside long enough to get to the raise, which is actively in process.
How to Apply
To apply or learn more, email john.dukes@8xenergy.com with a brief description of the production AI system you are most proud of shipping and why.
No recruiters, please.