Strategic Projects Associate - San Francisco, CA - $80K-$110K

Job Description

Job Description

Strategic Projects Associate | San Francisco, CA | Full-Time | $80,000-$110,000/year

About the Company

A Series A AI research lab serving all of the frontier AI model labs is one of the fastest-growing YC companies of all time. Backed by Y Combinator and top-tier investors, with a founding team from Jane Street, Meta, Google, Goldman Sachs, and Stanford AI Lab, this company investigates the boundaries and capabilities of artificial intelligence through novel datasets and experimentation.

About the Role

This is a high-ownership, fast-track entry-level role working directly with the founding team on high-priority technical and operational projects. This is not a typical operations position. High performers can advance to SPL in approximately one year — a fast-track alternative to traditional entry-level consulting, banking, or tech rotational programs.

What You Will Own

- Partner with frontier AI labs to coordinate dataset generation projects, manage timelines, and ensure delivery excellence

- Build and maintain operational tools using AI 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

Requirements

- Strong interest in AI and technical fluency; comfortable using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude Code

- Excellent written and verbal communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders

- Extreme ownership and ability to operate independently with minimal supervision

- Ability to learn rapidly, iterate, and thrive in ambiguous environments

- High-intensity background: top-company internships or prior startup experience

Nice-to-Have

- Background in software engineering, ML engineering, AI research, or computer science

- Experience at a top tech company (FAANG, frontier AI lab) or quantitative trading firm

- Prior startup or founding experience

Benefits

- Competitive salary and meaningful equity

- Clear path to advancement

- Direct exposure to founders and frontier AI researchers and investors

- Learn how to scale a company from the ground up

No visa sponsorship available. In-person in San Francisco required.