Vibe Dev·Intermediate
Vibe Engineer
Target role — AI-Native Software Engineer
Direct AI agents to build production software: AI generates most of the code, you own the architecture, the spec and the quality bar.
By the end, you'll have shipped
A production app built agent-first, with testsA reusable AGENTS.md instruction systemExec-plan specs agents can run for hoursA review workflow that catches agent mistakes
Career insight
Emerging
Open roles
titles vary: AI-native, agentic, platform
$150k
Median salary
$100k–$210k · tracks senior SWE comp, US base
Surging demand
Hiring demand
every team is hiring for this skill set
Experience required
Typical entry
Built on real engineering fundamentals
Most-requested skills
Agent orchestration
Related roles
Software EngineerAI EngineerStaff EngineerPlatform Engineer
The path · 5 stages · 15 checkpoints
Stage progression
1
The Three Modes
AI-assisted, vibe coding, vibe engineering — who generates the code vs who owns the design.
Modes of AI Development
Judgment4 days
Engineering Fundamentals Refresh
1 week
Owning the Design
1 week
2
Instructing Agents
Persistent instructions, specs and slices — programming the programmer.
3
Reviewing the Machine
Ruthless review of structure and behaviour — steer the shape, let details go.
4
Agentic Operations
Multiple agents, long sessions, parallel work — engineering management for machines.
5
Production & Proof
Ship something real, write about it, and carry the practice into a team.