Strategic Project Lead, Code
$120k - $200k USD
About Mercor
Mercor is at the intersection of labor markets and AI research. We partner with leading AI labs and enterprises to provide the human intelligence essential to AI development.
Our vast talent network trains frontier AI models in the same way teachers teach students: by sharing knowledge, experience, and context that can't be captured in code alone. Today, more than 30,000 experts in our network collectively earn over $2 million a day.
Mercor is creating a new category of work where expertise powers AI advancement. Achieving this requires an ambitious, fast-paced and deeply committed team. You’ll work alongside researchers, operators, and AI companies at the forefront of shaping the systems that are redefining society.
Mercor is a profitable Series C company valued at $10 billion. We work in-person five days a week in our new San Francisco headquarters.
Role Overview
Work Hours: Monday-Saturday (Office Monday-Friday)
We’re looking for a Strategic Project Lead, Code — someone with software engineering experience who wants to take ownership of large-scale technical projects that blend engineering, systems design, and people leadership.
You’ll lead projects involving hundreds of engineers and contributors, building the technical and operational systems that keep massive AI training data pipelines running smoothly. You’ll architect workflows, implement the right processes, and lead execution alongside a team of talented operators and technical leads while building relationships with the world’s leading researchers at foundation model companies.
This role combines technical design, systems thinking, and high-stakes delivery — ideal for an engineer who thrives on both building and leading.
Key Responsibilities
Design and build scalable pipelines and systems to manage large-scale AI data and model programs.
Lead and manage teams of hundreds of contributors, ensuring alignment, throughput, and execution consistency.
Define technical architecture and process flows for how data, code, and evaluation tasks move through systems.
Write scripts, queries, and code to support performance monitoring, metrics, and quality control.
Drive daily execution and unblock teams — from technical debugging to resource allocation.
Interface with client engineering and research teams, translating high-level goals into executable workflows.
Set up systems of accountability — metrics dashboards, feedback loops, and escalation paths.
Continuously optimize for speed, quality, and cost, balancing technical precision with delivery pragmatism.
Must-Have Profile
2+ years as a software engineer, data science, or technical founder.
Strong technical foundation — very comfortable with Python and knowledge of other popular languages like Javascript/Typescript, Go, etc.Familiarity with basic cloud or orchestration tools (AWS/GCP, containers, etc.).
Exceptional organizational and communication skills; thrives in ambiguity and complexity.
High bias toward action — takes ownership and drives outcomes independently.
Nice to Have
Experience leading large-scale data, RL, or AI operations.
Understanding of system design, distributed workflows, or engineering at scale.
Background in fast-paced environments (startups, consulting, or forward-deployed roles).
Fluency with modern AI concepts, including familiarity with AI agents and a strong eagerness to keep up with the latest research.
Proven ability to work cross functionally with distributed engineering teams.
How You Work
Hands-on leader: builds and executes alongside the team.
Systems thinker: sees how technical and human components connect.
Operator at heart: thrives under pressure, drives clarity, and closes loops.
Builder mentality: improves what’s working and scales it fast.
Key Facts
Projects can exceed $10M+ in annual revenue.
Involves leading hundreds of engineers or contributors across technical and operational domains.
High-intensity, high-ownership role — critical to the success of frontier AI programs.
Growth Path
Start as an SPL, Code, running major delivery programs end-to-end.
Advance to Senior SPL, Code, leading multiple programs and mentoring a team of SPLs.
Compensation & Benefits
Base: $120K – $200K
Aggressive bi-annual performance bonus
Generous equity (4-year vest)
$20K relocation bonus (Bay Area)
$10K housing bonus (within 0.5 miles of the office)
$1K monthly meals stipend
Free Equinox membership
Comprehensive health insurance
Equal Opportunity
Mercor considers all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provides reasonable accommodations upon request.