About the Team
The Starfleet team is responsible for creating the tools and systems necessary to drive frontier model performance. We collaborate closely with our research teams and AI tutor teams to develop new solutions that accelerate research progress across model capabilities, evaluation, safety, and alignment.
About the Role
In this role you might:
- Design and build robust, scalable backend systems to power our AI-driven tools and platforms.
- Develop APIs and distributed systems that handle high-throughput data processing for model training and evaluation.
- Create secure, reliable pipelines to support innovative human data generation and agentic workflows.
- Optimize infrastructure to leverage cutting-edge GPU resources for maximum performance.
- Innovate new approaches that bring us closer to our goal: to develop AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge.
Exceptional candidates may have:
- Experience building high-performance backend systems in dynamic, fast-paced environments - as a tech lead, former founder, etc.
- Expertise in designing scalable distributed systems and APIs with a compiled language like Rust or C++.
- Experience optimizing data pipelines for machine learning workloads or real-time applications.
- Familiarity with frontend technologies (e.g., TypeScript, React) to collaborate seamlessly with cross-functional teams.
Tech Stack
- Typescript, Python, Rust
- React, Express, PostgreSQL
Location
The role is based in the Bay Area [San Francisco and Palo Alto]. Candidates are expected to be located near the Bay Area or open to relocation.
Interview Process
After submitting your application, the team reviews your CV and statement of exceptional work. If your application passes this stage, you will be invited to a 15-minute interview (“phone interview”) during which a member of our team will ask some basic questions. If you clear the initial phone interview, you will enter the main process, which consists of four technical interviews:
- Coding assessment in a language of your choice.
- Front end technical interview, in React/Typescript
- Systems hands-on: Demonstrate practical skills in a live problem-solving session.
- Meet the Team: Present your past exceptional work and your vision with xAI to a small audience.
Our goal is to finish the main process within one week. All interviews will be conducted via Google Meet.
Annual Salary Range
$180,000 - $440,000 USD