Research Product Manager, Handshake AI

About Handshake AI

Handshake is building the career network for the AI economy. Our three-sided marketplace connects 18 million students and alumni, 1,500+ academic institutions across the U.S. and Europe, and 1 million employers to power how the next generation explores careers, builds skills, and gets hired.

Handshake AI is a human data labeling business that leverages the scale of the largest early career network. We work directly with the world’s leading AI research labs to build a new generation of human data products. From PhDs in physics to undergrads fluent in LLMs, Handshake AI is the trusted partner for domain-specific data and evaluation at scale.

This is a unique opportunity to join a fast-growing team shaping the future of AI through better data, better tools, and better systems—for experts, by experts.

Now’s a great time to join Handshake. Here’s why:

• Leading the AI Career Revolution: Be part of the team redefining work in the AI economy for millions worldwide.

• Proven Market Demand: Deep employer partnerships across Fortune 500s and the world’s leading AI research labs.

• World-Class Team: Leadership from Scale AI, Meta, xAI, Notion, Coinbase, and Palantir, just to name a few.

• Capitalized & Scaling: $3.5B valuation from top investors including Kleiner Perkins, True Ventures, Notable Capital, and more.

About Handshake AI Research (HAIR)

Handshake partners with leading AI labs and institutions to power frontier-grade evaluation and data research. HAIR’s mission is to push the boundaries of how intelligence is created, assured, and measured—through better data, rigorous benchmarks, and trustworthy evaluation.

About the Role

As Research PM, you’ll bridge Research, Engineering, and Operations—turning HAIR’s research agenda into scalable systems and partnerships. You’ll align internal teams and external collaborators, helping define how the industry evaluates intelligence and setting new standards for AI research.

• Define and execute the product roadmap across HAIR’s three pillars: Data Quality, Evaluation, and Data Value.

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with AI labs, academic institutions, industry partners, and standards bodies.

• Drive initiatives like interdisciplinary benchmarks, post-training data validation, and RLAIF expansion.

• Collaborate with research scientists, engineers, and domain experts to ensure technical rigor.

• Establish clear success metrics aligned with research OKRs and benchmarks.

• Translate research strategy into execution across Eng, Ops, and Product.

• Share HAIR’s outcomes internally and externally, including conferences and workshops.

Desired Capabilities

• Product management or research leadership experience, ideally bridging research with engineering or infra.

• Strong technical foundation in ML and LLMs, including post-training (fine-tuning, RLHF/RLAIF, evaluation frameworks).

• Experience contributing to research programs, benchmarks, or publications.

• Proven ability to manage roadmaps, set priorities, and deliver impact.

• Deep understanding of data quality and evaluation challenges in ML pipelines.

• Skilled at building alignment across Research, Engineering, Ops, and Partnerships.

• Excellent communicator with the ability to translate complex research into clear direction.

• Systems thinker who thrives in ambiguous research domains and can structure them into measurable programs.

Perks

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: Stipends for home office setup, internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office

🏝 Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days, winter #ShakeBreak where our whole office closes for a week!

🤝 Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses

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