Artificial Intelligence (AI), Banking Services, Consulting, Data Science, Data Sets, Engineering, GitHub, Improvement Metrics, Machine Tool, Operational Support, Process Improvement, Project/Program Coordination, Research Laboratory, Research Skills, Sales Presentation, Scripting (Scripting Languages), Software Engineering, Startup, System Operations, Team Lead/Manager, Technical Support, Technical Writing, Time Management
San Francisco, California
Strategic Projects Associate – Coding
San Francisco, CA · On-site · Full-timeCompensation: $80,000–$110,000 base + bonus (up to 100% of base) + equity
About the Company
A venture-backed AI research lab that partners with the frontier AI labs, investigating the boundaries and capabilities of AI through novel datasets and experimentation. Backed by top-tier investors and operators, and one of the fastest-growing companies in its cohort. Founded 2025 · 11–50 people · Industry: AI research
The Role
Work directly with the founding team on high-priority technical and operational projects supporting frontier AI labs. This is not a typical operations role.
What you'll be doing
- Partner with frontier AI labs to coordinate dataset generation projects, manage timelines, and ensure delivery excellence
- Build and maintain operational tools using AI (ChatGPT, Claude Code) and scripting to automate workflows, track metrics, and improve efficiency
- Manage teams of technical experts across software engineering, data science, and ML
- Create technical documentation, project briefs, and data samples for customer presentations
- Drive process improvements and build systems to scale operations as the company grows
Tech stack: AI tooling (ChatGPT, Claude Code) + scripting
Requirements
- New grad to 2 years experience
- Technical fluency: ChatGPT, Claude Code daily
- High-intensity background: top tech internships or startup
- Extreme ownership, operates independently
- Technical major or CS / ML / engineering background preferred
- SF in-person — 6 days/week
Green Flags
- Active technical work shipped: GitHub presence, side projects with AI tooling, hackathon wins, or independent technical builds
- Top-company technical internship pedigree (FAANG, frontier AI lab, quant trading firm) demonstrating high-intensity execution
- Prior startup or founding-engineering experience with real shipping track record
- CS, ML, or technical major paired with operator instincts; can move between code and coordination fluently
- AI-native daily usage of Claude Code, ChatGPT, or comparable tools as production aids, not just experimentally
Red Flags
- Pure researcher mindset without shipping bias. Wants to study AI rather than ship operational systems alongside it.
- Cannot work long hours or weekends; pushes back on intensity expectations
- Strong technical degree but no demonstrated shipping signal (no GitHub, no side projects, no internship work)
- AI tourist: has heard of Claude Code and ChatGPT but doesn't use them daily on real workflows
- Looking for a structured rotational program or predictable scope similar to banking/consulting/big-tech entry tracks
Why Join
- Founding role as an early hire with direct exposure to founders
- Meaningful equity with a clear path to advancement
- Develop deep AI fluency and hands-on technical skills
- Build a network of frontier AI researchers, builders, and investors
- A fast-track alternative to traditional entry-level consulting, banking, or tech rotational programs
Details
Location San Francisco, CA Work policy On-site, 6 days/week Compensation $80,000–$110,000 base + bonus up to 100% of base + equity Visa sponsorship None Available Employment type Full-time