Spring AI Studio Coach (Agentic AI), Break Through Tech (NYC)

About Cornell Tech

Cornell Tech is Cornell University's state-of-the-art campus in New York City that develops leaders and technologies for the AI era through foundational and applied research, graduate education, and new ventures. Located on Roosevelt Island, the growing campus was founded in partnership with the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and in close collaboration with the NYC Economic Development Corporation after Cornell won a worldwide competition initiated by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's administration to create an applied sciences campus in New York City. More than 1,000 Cornell students are now educated annually on the campus, including 700 in Cornell Tech programs. Since opening in 2012, nearly 120 new companies have spun out from startup programs at Cornell Tech, and 95 percent of them are based in New York City. Cornell Tech continues to have a transformative economic impact on the region's tech sector.

About Break Through Tech AI Studio

Break Through Tech is changing the path to power in tech by propelling undergraduate talent that is all too often underestimated and overlooked into fields that are defining the future. Founded in 2016 by Dr. Judith Spitz, former CIO of Verizon, Break Through Tech empowers, trains, and connects undergraduate students from different lived experiences to professional opportunities in tech across sectors. Our innovative programs offer undergraduate students the technical skills training, professional readiness support, and real-world project experiences to break into influential tech

roles-enabling them to write the rules that will shape the future of all of us. About Cornell Tech At Cornell Tech, we develop the leaders and technologies of tomorrow through foundational and applied research, postgraduate education, and new ventures. Through rigorous, practical research and interdisciplinary innovation, we're advancing lasting economic and social prosperity for New York City and the world.

Break Through Tech's Spring AI Studio program includes specializations that provide fellows with cutting-edge technical skills and practical experience. The Agentic AI Specialization is a 15-week program where 50 selected fellows work in teams of 2-4 to ideate, design, build, and deploy production-ready AI agents. Unlike traditional industry-sponsored projects, fellows develop their own market-relevant or purpose-driven solutions, whether it's an agent for their university club, a tool everyday people could use, or another problem they're passionate about solving.

About the Position
Break Through Tech is seeking AI Studio Coaches to support and guide undergraduate teams through the Agentic AI Specialization during the AI Studio Spring semester. This virtual position plays a critical role in ensuring successful project completion while fostering fellow engagement and technical growth. Working with approximately 9 Fellows across 3 project teams, the Coach will provide both technical guidance and project management support to drive successful outcomes.

Essential Functions Include
Technical Guidance & Project Support (50%)

• Provide technical mentorship to teams building AI agents with LangGraph, RAG systems, and tool integrations

• Review code and conduct debugging sessions to troubleshoot complex technical issues

• Guide teams through agent architecture decisions, tool integration challenges, and deployment strategies

• Support teams in evaluating agent performance using appropriate metrics

• Attend all 4 workshops (1.5 hours each, one Tuesday each month) to circulate during breakout rooms and provide just-in-time technical support

• Attend all 4 maker days (3-4 hours each, on Saturday each month) to lead breakout sessions, ensure progress, and troubleshoot technical challenges

• Find and review additional resources to support team projects as needed

Structured Check-Ins & Progress Monitoring (30%)

• Conduct biweekly one-hour check-ins with each of your 3 assigned teams (6 total check-ins per month)

• Meet with teams during prework periods to assess progress on agent development

• Meet with teams between workshops and maker days to provide feedback on deliverables

• Monitor team progress and intervene to address technical blockers or team dynamics issues

• Partner with program staff to manage unresolved issues affecting project success

• Participate in biweekly community of practice meetings with other coaches and program staff

Assessment & Feedback (20%)

• Grade team deliverables using provided rubrics and track submission completion

• Provide constructive technical feedback on project milestones and presentations

• Review and assess prework completion, following up with fellows who haven't completed assignments

• Observe final presentations and provide meaningful feedback

• Maintain attendance records for workshops, maker days, and team check-ins

Required Qualifications

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to support the success and well-being of undergraduate students from all lived experiences

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

• Strong background in AI/ML with hands-on experience in agent development

• Proficient understanding of agentic AI frameworks (i.e., LangGraph or AutoGen) sufficient to address technical questions and guide fellows to appropriate resources

• Experience with RAG systems, API integrations, and cloud deployment

• Ability to troubleshoot code and debug complex systems

• Experience in teaching, coaching, or mentoring, or demonstrated ability to learn these skills

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills

• Ability to thrive in a virtual work environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior Break Through Tech and/or ML Foundations experience

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related field

• Experience with LLM applications and prompt engineering

• Experience with containerization and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)

• Experience with virtual instruction or team facilitation

Important Notes

- This is a part-time, remote, temporary position beginning on January 20, 2026 and ending on April 25, 2026.

- The position is expected to require an average of 6 hours per week over 14 weeks, with weekly hours ranging from 4-12 hours per week depending on program activities.

- This role is not eligible for benefits.

- These roles are open to any eligible candidates across the US.

- Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

- Pay rate: $35 per hour

- AI Studio Coaches will be required to participate in about 10 hours of pre-program training in early January 2026.

- AI Studio Coaches will be required to work the following key dates (times TBC) to support program events:

• Workshop 1: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 (7:00-8:30 PM ET)

• Maker Day 1: Saturday, January 31, 2026 (12:00-4:00 PM ET)

• Workshop 2: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (7:00-8:30 PM ET)

• Maker Day 2: Saturday, February 28, 2026 (12:00-4:00 PM ET)

• Workshop 3: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 (7:00-8:30 PM ET)

• Maker Day 3: Saturday, March 28, 2026 (12:00-4:00 PM ET)

• Workshop 4: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 (7:00-8:30 PM ET)

• Maker Day 4: Saturday, April 25, 2026 (12:00-3:00 PM ET)

- In addition to these dates, AI Studio Coaches will be expected to lead two (2) 60-minute Check-In Meetings with their teams per month. Coaches will be empowered to select meeting times and dates that work for them from a list of possible options, but meetings generally take place after 6 pm local time.
- Coaches will also meet at least biweekly with Program staff for check-ins and trainings
- Coaches will be assigned to conduct outreach to at risk fellows which may include 1:1's and post meeting follow ups.

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards

As a university founded to be a place where "...any person can find instruction in any study," inclusion and belonging are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all. Cornell Core values

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success

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