Data Scientist, 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 the Role

We’re looking for a highly motivated Data Scientist with strong SQL expertise to support analytics, measurement, and operational insights across our human data training workflows. You’ll work with messy, fast-moving data tied to expert performance, task quality, throughput, and model outcomes.

This is a hands-on role with real ownership, exposure to frontier AI work, and a steep growth curve for people who execute well.

What You’ll Do

• Write advanced SQL to analyze large, complex datasets related to expert performance, task quality, and AI training workflows.

• Build and maintain core metrics that track data quality, throughput, and operational efficiency.

• Partner with product, operations, and AI stakeholders to answer high-impact questions.

• Support experimentation and analysis that improves task design, data quality, and model outcomes.

• Create dashboards and reporting that drive fast, informed decision-making.

• Identify data gaps or quality issues and work cross-functionally to resolve them.

• Take ambiguous problems and drive them to clear, actionable conclusions.

Desired Capabilities

• 3–5 years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with a strong track record of applying data to drive product or business decisions.

• Expert-level SQL skills

• Python experience for data analysis (e.g., pandas, notebooks).

• Strong analytical instincts and comfort working with imperfect, real-world data.

• High ownership mindset and willingness to grind through complex problems.

• Ability to operate independently and deliver under tight timelines.

• Clear communication and comfort working cross-functionally.

Extra Credit

• Experience with experimentation or metrics-driven development.

• Exposure to AI/ML workflows, data labeling, or model evaluation.

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, wellness stipend

  📚 Growth: 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.