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 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

• Collaborate on a cross-functional team with designers, product managers, and other engineers to build and maintain user-facing features and internal tools.
• Take ownership of features and product areas, contributing to technical decisions and implementation.
• Participate in code reviews and architecture discussions to help maintain a high standard of engineering quality.
• Learn from senior engineers and contribute to team knowledge by documenting best practices and patterns.
• Contribute to the team’s ongoing focus on performance, accessibility, and overall user experience.
• Help debug, triage, and resolve bugs and issues across our frontend codebase.

Your experience

• 2–4 years of professional experience as a frontend or full-stack engineer, with a strong emphasis on frontend development.
• Proficient with modern frontend technologies, especially ReactJS and TypeScript.
• Experience working with backend APIs and basic familiarity with relational databases like PostgreSQL.
• Strong attention to detail with an eye for user experience, accessibility, and clean design.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative environment with shifting priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with product, design, and other engineers to ship features to production.
• Clear communicator, both written and verbal, with an ability to explain technical concepts to cross-functional partners.
• A growth mindset—actively seeking feedback, learning from peers, and striving to improve your craft.

Bonus areas of expertise

• Experience with building production systems for LLM or AI-related products.
• Familiarity with component libraries and design systems.
• Exposure to performance optimization in frontend applications.

Compensation range

$150K-$190K
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.

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.

What we offer

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.