Head of Partnerships

Subsense; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Comprehensive benefits

401(k)

Paid time off

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Subsense is seeking a seasoned Head of Partnerships in Palo Alto to lead high-value, non-medical strategic partnerships as we approach pre-product milestones. You will secure LOIs, pilots, and transformative collaborations with top tech companies, translating early science into compelling commercial narratives and driving access to data, infrastructure, and distribution channels.

You will build senior relationships with product, research, and corporate development teams, own KPI targets, and

Qualifications

• 8–15+ years in strategic partnerships / platform partnerships / corporate development.
• Proven ability to structure and secure partnerships delivering data, infrastructure, and distribution access.
• Proven track record closing 0→1 partnerships with major tech companies.
• Experience selling pre-product, platform, or deep tech concepts.
• Strong executive presence; able to engage VP/C-suite stakeholders.
• Background in AI, infrastructure, developer platforms, or frontier tech preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define partnership strategy and prioritize high-leverage opportunities.
• Identify, engage, and close strategic partnerships with hyperscalers, AI labs, and platform providers.
• Build and manage senior relationships across product, research, and corporate development.
• Originates and structures LOIs, pilots, and joint development partnerships pre-product.
• Translate early-stage science into compelling commercial narratives for technical and executive audiences.
• Drive outcomes with access to data, infrastructure, and distribution channels.
• Own partnership KPIs (LOIs, pilots, integrations).

Skills

Strategic partnerships

Platform partnerships

Corporate development

Executive engagement

AI infrastructure

Autonomous, outcomes-driven

Job description

About Subsense

Subsense is a deep-tech company developing the world’s first non-surgical, bidirectional brain-computer interface powered by plasmonic and magnetoelectric nanoparticles. Our mission is to unlock direct communication between the human brain and AI - starting with medical applications such as stroke recovery and moving toward cognitive enhancement for healthy users. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Subsense brings together leading scientists and engineers to redefine the future of human–machine interaction.

The Opportunity

The Head of Partnerships will lead the development of high-value, non-medical strategic partnerships with leading technology companies. This role is responsible for creating and securing transformative collaborations that validate our platform and unlock long-term distribution, infrastructure, and data advantages.

We are pre-product. You will be expected to secure LOIs, pilots, and partnerships before a finished product exists.

This role requires selling vision, not product.

What You'll Do

• Define partnership strategy (build vs. buy vs. partner) and prioritize highest-leverage opportunities
• Identify, engage, and close strategic partnerships with top-tier technology companies (e.g., hyperscalers, AI labs, platform providers)
• Build and manage senior relationships across product, research, and corporate development teams
• Originate and structure LOIs, pilot agreements, and joint development partnerships pre-product
• Translate early-stage science into compelling commercial narratives tailored to technical and executive audiences
• Drive measurable partnership outcomes, including access to data, infrastructure, and distribution channels
• Own partnership KPIs (e.g., number of LOIs, pilots, and strategic integrations secured)

What You Bring

• 8–15+ years in strategic partnerships / platform partnerships / corporate development
• Proven ability to structure and secure partnerships that deliver tangible outcomes, including access to data, infrastructure, and distribution channels
• Proven track record of closing 0→1 partnerships with major tech companies
• Experience selling pre-product, platform, or deep tech concepts
• Strong executive presence; able to engage VP/C-suite stakeholders
• Background in AI, infrastructure, developer platforms, or frontier tech strongly preferred
• Highly autonomous, structured, and outcomes-driven

$150,000 - $200,000 a year

Why You’ll Thrive

You'd be joining a small teamdeveloping a non-surgical, bidirectional brain-computer interface powered by plasmonic and magnetoelectric nanoparticles. You’ll help translate early research into working technology, with the opportunity to influence both the platform and how we build it.

A few things that make this different:

• Own meaningful technical work: Take projects from early R&D through functional prototypes, with room to test ideas, solve complex problems, and shape design decisions.
• Build across disciplines: Work hands-on with ultrasound, electronics, and instrumentation alongside scientists and engineers in neuroscience, nanotechnology, and AI.
• Help shape a novel platform: Contribute to technology with the potential to restore neurological function and, over time, enable direct brain-to-AI communication.
• Make a visible impact: Join a team where your contributions directly influence technical progress, with equity that lets you share in the company’s growth.

Our work takes place across labs in Palo Alto and Mountain View. We offer a competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k), commuter benefits, and paid time off.

Subsense is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.