Venture Capital Job – Investment Associate – Engine Ventures

Engine Ventures; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Engine Ventures is seeking an Associate to join its investment team in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This core role involves identifying, evaluating, and supporting high-potential companies in AI systems, compute infrastructure, and other deep tech areas.

The Associate will perform due diligence on investments, support portfolio companies, and present opportunities within a collaborative team environment. Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent experience, along with 2–5 years in demanding roles.

Qualifications

• 2–5+ years of experience in a demanding environment (e.g., deep tech startup, product or strategy role, top-tier consulting).
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex technical systems.
• High degree of ownership with the ability to drive work in ambiguous environments.

Responsibilities

• Perform due diligence and compose investment memorandums.
• Develop and maintain a network to identify new investment areas.
• Evaluate and present new investment opportunities.
• Support portfolio companies post-investment.
• Advocate for Tough Tech in startup and academic ecosystems.

Skills

Advanced technical training (PhD or equivalent)

Commercial intuition

Collaborative mindset

Structured thinking

Exceptional communication skills

Education

PhD or equivalent experience

Job description

Engine Ventures is seeking an Associate to join our investment team. This core investing role focuses on identifying, evaluating, and supporting high‑potential companies across AI systems, compute infrastructure, energy, and programmable biology.

The Associate will work directly with founders and company leaders across stages, from early formation through growth, and will be deeply involved in the full investment process, including due diligence and portfolio support.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform due diligence, including scientific, technical, and commercial assessment of investment opportunities, and compose investment memorandums.
• Develop and maintain a broad network of researchers and entrepreneurs to identify new investment areas.
• Discuss, evaluate, and present new investment opportunities within a flat structure in weekly investment team meetings.
• Work alongside Partners to structure investments in deep tech.
• Support portfolio companies post‑investment as they grow their teams, consider strategic priorities, develop business models, and raise follow‑on capital.
• Represent Engine Ventures and advocate for Tough Tech in the startup and academic ecosystems.
• Be flexible to take on new responsibilities and special projects as they arise, enabling goals across fund programs, events, and content.

Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced technical training (PhD or equivalent experience) in an engineering, scientific, or related field.
• 2–5+ years of experience in a demanding environment (e.g., deep tech startup, product or strategy role, or top‑tier consulting).
• Demonstrated ability to understand and evaluate complex technical systems across domains.
• Strong commercial intuition and interest in how technologies scale into large businesses.
• Collaborative mindset and strong interpersonal judgment; ability to build trust with founders and teammates.
• Clear, structured thinking and exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• High degree of ownership, with the ability to operate independently and drive work forward in ambiguous environments.