Your impact

Handshake is building the future of human data for AI.

We partner directly with top AI labs to power large language model (LLM) training and evaluation with high-quality, expert-generated data. As AI models become more sophisticated, the demand for specialized human input continues to grow—and Handshake is uniquely positioned to meet it. We power career platforms at 92% of the top U.S. universities, giving us direct access to verified expert talent across a wide range of domains.

Our AI team is rapidly building a new generation of human data products—from expert annotation platforms to AI interviewers and seamless payout infrastructure—all designed to accelerate research and improve model performance.

We’ve assembled a world-class team from YC, Notion, Scale, Coinbase, Palantir, and more, and we’re working directly with many of the world’s leading AI research labs. This is a unique opportunity to join a fast-growing team shaping the future of AI through better data, better tools, and better systems—for experts, by experts.

We’re growing our team and looking for Staff Software Engineers to build high-impact products that support our Fellows in their work, ensuring they have the tools and infrastructure needed to drive AI innovation. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in a fast-growing space, working directly with leading AI labs and tech companies to develop solutions that enhance research workflows, model evaluation processes, and domain-specific AI applications. You will build critical features for products from the ground up, collaborating closely with product, design, and engineering teams to create seamless and effective experiences.

Location: San Francisco, CA | 5 days/week in-office

Your role

• Lead architectural design and technical strategy for core systems across our AI product stack, driving decisions that impact reliability, performance, and scalability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, product, design, and operations teams to build intuitive, resilient systems from the ground up.
• Own large, complex projects end-to-end, including planning, technical design, implementation, deployment, and maintenance.
• Act as a technical mentor and thought partner to engineers across the team, up-leveling engineering practices and fostering a culture of excellence.
• Contribute hands-on across the stack—from backend services and infrastructure to polished user-facing features—while prioritizing performance and developer experience.
• Define and drive best practices in software design, testing, observability, documentation, and continuous delivery.
• Engage directly with internal and external stakeholders to gather requirements, validate technical direction, and iterate on solutions.

Your experience

• 7+ years of professional software engineering experience, with at least 2 years in a senior or staff-level role leading complex, high-impact projects.
• Expertise in full-stack development, including strong proficiency with ReactJS and TypeScript on the frontend.
• Deep experience with backend development in Node.js, Python, or similar languages, and strong familiarity with service-oriented architecture and API design.
• Strong foundation in data modeling and experience working with relational databases such as PostgreSQL.
• Comfortable designing and deploying systems on cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, GCP) and working with modern CI/CD pipelines.
• A track record of making strategic technical decisions and delivering production-ready systems at scale.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence across functions and levels.
• Passion for clean, maintainable code, scalable systems, and an iterative, user-focused development approach.

Bonus areas of expertise

• Experience building AI/ML infrastructure or data-centric systems for LLM development and evaluation.
• Familiarity with component libraries, design systems, and frontend performance tuning.
• Prior experience mentoring engineers and driving technical direction on small-to-medium engineering teams.

Compensation range

$230K-$275K
Compensation and level will be based on experience.

For cash compensation, we set standard ranges for all U.S.-based roles based on function, level, and geographic location, benchmarked against similar stage growth companies. In order to be compliant with local legislation, as well as to provide greater transparency to candidates, we share salary ranges on all job postings regardless of desired hiring location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including geographic location as well as candidate experience and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed above.

What we offer

At Handshake, we'll give you the tools to feel healthy, happy and secure.

Benefits below apply to US employees in full-time positions.

• 💰 Equity and ownership in a fast-growing company.
• 🍼 16 Weeks of paid parental leave for birth giving parents & 10 weeks of paid parental leave for non-birth giving parents.
• 💝 Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision policies including LGTBQ+ Coverage. We also provide resources for Mental Health Assistance, Employee Assistance Programs and counseling support.
• 📚 Generous learning & development opportunities and an annual $2,000 stipend for you to grow your skills and career.
• 💰 Financial coaching through Origin to help you through your financial journey.
• 🛜 Monthly internet stipend and a brand new MacBook to allow you to do your best work.
• 🚃 Monthly commuter stipend for you to expense your travel to the office (for office-based employees).
• 🥗 Free lunch provided 5x a week across all offices.
• 🏋️ Free gym access in San Francisco office building.
• 🤝 Referral bonus to reward you when you bring great talent to Handshake.
• 🧗🏼Team outings throughout the year to stay connected to each other.

• 🏦 401k Match: Handshake offers a dollar-for-dollar match on 1% of deferred salary, up to a maximum of $1,200 per year.
• 🏝 All full-time US-based Handshakers are eligible for our flexible time off policy to get out and see the world. In addition, we offer 13 standardized holidays, and 2 additional days of flexible holiday time off. Lastly, we have a Winter #ShakeBreak, a one-week period of Collective Time Off.
• 💻 Handshake offers $500 home office stipend for you to spend during your first 3 months to create a productive and comfortable workspace at home.
• 🍼 Family support: Parental leave coaching and support provided by Parentaly. We partner with Maven Clinic to provide a lifetime coverage up to $15K for expenses related to fertility and family forming!
• 💰 Lifestyle Savings Account: We offer you an annual stipend of $500 to use for purchases such as fitness classes, gym memberships, work-from-home setup, and more.

Looking for more? Explore our mission, values and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.

Handshake is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation, please let your recruiter know during initial communications.