Learning Designer Lead, 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
This role is for someone who wants to 10x themselves.
As a Learning Design Lead, you'll be the tactical expert connecting our Operations teams to Fellow success. Operating in a fast-paced "forward deployed" model, you'll work directly with Operators to rapidly build, ship, and iterate on training solutions - ensuring our Fellows deliver the highest quality AI training data across diverse and evolving projects.
You'll embed with Operations teams launching new projects, scaling existing ones, or tackling quality challenges head-on. You'll need to grasp project requirements quickly, spot training gaps in real-time, and deploy targeted learning solutions within days—not weeks. Your mission: enable Operators to hit their Fellow quality and throughput goals through exceptional training design and rapid execution.
What You'll Do
Move fast on training requests: Turn around project-specific training collateral (playbooks, courses, assessments) within 24-48 hours, and build self-serve resources that help Operators become independent training creators
Diagnose and fix learning gaps: Dig into learner mistakes, project quality issues, and Operator feedback to pinpoint training gaps—then develop targeted interventions and scalable solutions
Iterate relentlessly on effectiveness: Track learner quality metrics, completion rates, and satisfaction scores to continuously refine both Fellow training and Operator enablement approaches
Level up Operators: Train Operators on instructional design fundamentals, feedback techniques, and quality assessment methods so they can better support Fellow development
Build reusable infrastructure: Create template libraries, content design systems, and frameworks that let Operators independently produce quality training materials while keeping consistency across projects
Desired Capabilities
3+ years of hands-on experience in instructional design and technical training content creation, with a track record of translating complex technical concepts into effective learning experiences
Thrive in fast-paced, constantly evolving environments where requirements shift and projects launch on tight timelines
Background in AI or other STEM fields with enough technical depth to understand AI training methodologies and their implications
Enablement experience strongly preferred: experience in customer success, sales enablement, or technical consulting where you've had to rapidly upskill diverse audiences
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
🏝 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.