VP of Research, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence

Next Step Systems - National IT Recruiting Firm

. Set and evolve the research direction for core intelligence, including context representation, memory, reasoning, planning, and orchestration .

Posted 9/22/2026full-timeRemote • California • MaliLead💰 $225,000 - $275,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in Machine Learning (ML) systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI), with a strong focus on model evaluation, safety, and real-world applicability. Possesses a builder's mindset and high ownership mentality, driving research direction and technical rigor in product development.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Machine Learning SystemsArtificial Intelligence ExperienceGPU-Based TrainingJAX ProficiencyPython Proficiency

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Machine LearningModel EvaluationModel Architecture DesignContext RepresentationReasoningPlanningOrchestrationMulti-Agent OrchestrationDistillationRetrieval-Augmented Training

Soft Skills

Technical JudgmentHigh Ownership MentalityDecision-MakingBuilder's MindsetObsession with Evaluation

Tools & Technologies

PyTorchGPU-Based Inference Systems

Industry Keywords

Evaluation FrameworksRobustnessSafetyLong-Term BehaviorFrontier Open-Source Models

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PythonPyTorch

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Set and evolve the research direction for core intelligence, including context representation, memory, reasoning, planning, and orchestration
Decide when to design new model architectures versus adapting or leveraging frontier open-source or commercial models
Define evaluation frameworks measuring real-world usefulness, robustness, safety, and long-term behavior
Own alignment, safety, and guardrail strategy as first-class product concerns
Guide exploration of retrieval-augmented training, mixture-of-experts, distillation, multi-agent orchestration, and multimodal systems
Shape early product intelligence direction in close partnership with product and application engineering
Set the technical bar for research rigor, judgment, and taste across the organization

Requirements

What you’ll need

Deep experience building or evolving real Machine Learning (ML) systems used in production
Artificial Intelligence (AI) experience required
Strong technical judgment around model behavior, failure modes, and long-horizon trade-offs
A builder’s mindset, caring about systems that work in the real world
Comfortable making irreversible or high-impact decisions with incomplete information
Obsession with evaluation, correctness, and how systems behave over time
High ownership mentality; operating as a founder, not a manager
Experience with GPU-based training and inference systems
JAX, Python, and PyTorch proficiency
Must be willing to take a 60 minute coding assessment

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Savings Plan Options
PTO