AfterQuery — Strategic Projects Associate – Coding

davidjoseph-co; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Unknown is seeking a Strategic Projects Associate – Coding in San Francisco, on-site, full-time. Compensation ranges from $80,000 to $110,000 base, plus bonus up to 100% of base and equity.

You will work directly with the founding team on high-priority technical and operational projects supporting frontier AI labs. You will coordinate dataset generation projects, build AI-powered tools, manage cross-functional teams, and produce technical docs and samples for customer presentations.

Qualifications

• New grad to 2 years experience

Responsibilities

• 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.

Job description

Strategic Projects Associate – Coding

San Francisco, CA · On-site · Full-time Compensation: $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