Thinking Machines Lab, San Francisco
The role of pre-training researchers sits at the core of our roadmap. This work blends research with large-scale data engineering to help assemble the pre-training datasets and data systems that underpin the next generation of AI models. You’ll design and implement methods for sourcing, curating, and analyzing pre-training data for quality and performance.
You’ll work with automated pipelines and human-in-the-loop processes, contributing both scientific insight and production-grade code. It’s ideal for someone who enjoys working at the intersection of data, machine learning, and systems, and who’s excited by the challenge of shaping frontier AI.
This role blends fundamental research and practical engineering, as we do not distinguish between the two roles internally. You will be expected to write high-performance code and read technical reports. It’s an excellent fit for someone who enjoys both deep theoretical exploration and hands-on experimentation, and who wants to shape the foundations of how AI learns.
Note: This is an "evergreen role" that we keep open on an on-going basis to express interest in this research area. We receive many applications, and there may not always be an immediate role that aligns perfectly with your experience and skills. Still, we encourage you to apply. We continuously review applications and reach out to applicants as new opportunities open. You are welcome to reapply if you get more experience, but please avoid applying more than once every 6 months.
You may also find that we put up postings for singular roles for separate, project or team specific needs. In those cases, you're welcome to apply directly in addition to an evergreen role.
Preferred qualifications – we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all preferred qualifications, but at least some:
The mission of Thinking Machines is to build AI that extends human will and judgment. We are training frontier models with Inkling, developing Tinker to let people make models their own, and crafting interfaces that broaden human-AI communication. We believe the future worth building is human, and we're hiring people who want to build it.
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Source: the Thinking Machines Lab Ashby job board. We last checked this job 2 h ago. We first saw it 4 days ago. A job on a job board does not always mean that the team interviews people now.
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This base pay is above the median for AI research jobs in the Bay Area with no level in the job title.
We compare the middle of each posted range. This is base pay as posted. The group does not include this job.