Technical Program Manager, Handshake AI

Handshake is building the career network for the AI economy - a next-generation platform where opportunity, talent, and intelligence converge. Today, we connect 20M+ students and early-career professionals with 750K+ employers across more than 1,500 universities, creating one of the largest and most diverse talent ecosystems in the world.

Our platform brings every part of the career journey together: the network generates high-quality recruiting matches, which in turn produce rich, real-world career data. That data then powers AI systems that make the experience smarter and more personalized. Each component strengthens the others, creating a continuous cycle of compounding value for students, employers, and institutions.

Handshake is expanding its AI research and data capabilities, partnering directly with the world’s leading AI labs to deliver domain-specific data and evaluation at scale. As a Technical Program Manager, you will own high-impact initiatives across operations, product, and customer delivery - translating ambiguous technical needs into reliable, high-quality outcomes.

This role sits at the intersection of technical problem-solving, operational execution, and customer engagement. You’ll run complex AI data programs end to end, shape how expert talent is deployed at scale, and directly influence the quality and utility of data powering next-generation AI systems. What you'll do:

• Own large-scale AI data and evaluation projects to deliver high-quality datasets that meet frontier lab and enterprise customer requirements

• Design and operate systems to recruit, train, and deploy expert Fellows (PhDs, domain specialists) at scale while maintaining quality and speed

• Translate vague technical objectives into clear task specifications and datasets to ensure downstream model utility and customer satisfaction

• Use SQL, LLMs, and operational metrics to identify bottlenecks and improve throughput, quality, and cost efficiency

• Partner with product and engineering teams to improve platform scalability through automation, tooling, and workflow optimization

• Serve as the quality owner for assigned programs, deeply understanding task requirements and resolving edge cases in execution

• 4+ years of experience in strategy & operations, consulting, product ops, or marketplace operations

• Technical foundation with proficiency in SQL and advanced spreadsheet workflows (assessed during process)

• Proven ability to own complex, ops-intensive projects with measurable outcomes

• Strong analytical and systems-thinking skills applied to scalable process design

• Experience operating in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with shifting priorities

• Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives while balancing speed and quality

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills across technical and non-technical audiences

• Experience in AI/ML data operations, human-in-the-loop systems, or model evaluation

• Proficiency in Python or other analytics / automation tools

• Blend of early-stage startup adaptability and scaled operations rigor

Handshake delivers benefits that help you feel supported—and thrive at work and in life.
The below benefits are for full-time US employees.

🎯 Ownership: Equity in a fast-growing company
💰 Financial Wellness: 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching
🍼 Family Support: Paid parental leave, fertility benefits, parental coaching
💝 Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision, mental health support, $500 wellness stipend
📚 Growth: $2,000 learning stipend, ongoing development
💻 Remote & Office: Internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office
🏝 Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days
🤝 Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses

Explore our mission, values, and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.