Head of AI/ML – VC Backed Startups

SignalFire

AI/ML leadership talent network connecting Director- and VP-level candidates with SignalFire’s VC-backed startups. Defining strategy, scaling teams, and deploying production AI systems across portfolio companies.

Posted 8/5/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $250,000 - $300,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in defining and executing AI and machine learning strategies, leading cross-functional teams, and developing scalable ML systems. Proficient in model evaluation, data governance, and integrating AI into customer-facing products while ensuring compliance with privacy and regulatory standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Machine Learning StrategyTeam Leadership in AI/MLModel Evaluation and DeploymentData Governance and Feedback LoopsAdvanced Degree in Computer Science or Related Field

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Machine LearningArtificial IntelligenceData ScienceModel EvaluationData PipelinesGenerative AIDeep LearningProduction InfrastructureLarge Language ModelsTechnical Leadership

Soft Skills

JudgmentCommunicationCollaborationStrategic ThinkingTeam Management

Industry Keywords

AI OpportunitiesProduct DifferentiationCustomer OutcomesHigh-Growth TechnologyStartup EnvironmentPrivacy and SecurityBias and ExplainabilityRegulatory Requirements

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and execute company AI and machine learning strategy aligned with product and business priorities
Build, lead, and develop teams across machine learning, applied AI, data science, and research
Identify high-impact AI opportunities and translate them into differentiated product capabilities
Lead development, evaluation, deployment, and continuous improvement of production ML systems
Establish technical standards for model quality, experimentation, reliability, observability, and responsible AI
Guide model selection, fine-tuning, retrieval, data strategy, infrastructure, and build-versus-buy decisions
Partner with engineering and product leaders to integrate AI into scalable customer-facing products
Oversee data collection, labeling, governance, and feedback loops
Evaluate emerging models, research, and tooling for customer and business value
Communicate AI strategy, capabilities, limitations, and investment priorities to executives, boards, customers, and partners
Support recruiting, organizational design, and workforce planning for AI and ML functions
Establish safeguards for privacy, security, bias, explainability, and regulatory requirements
Submit an application to join SignalFire’s Talent Ecosystem
Undergo ongoing application review and potential matching with SignalFire portfolio companies

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of experience across machine learning, artificial intelligence, data science, or software engineering, including meaningful leadership experience
Proven experience building and scaling AI/ML teams in startup or high-growth technology environments
Track record of developing and deploying machine learning systems into production
Strong technical foundation in modern ML methods, model evaluation, data pipelines, and production infrastructure
Experience applying large language models, generative AI, deep learning, or traditional machine learning to real-world products
Ability to connect technical investments to product differentiation, customer outcomes, and business value
Experience partnering with product, engineering, data, and go-to-market leaders
Strong judgment around model quality, latency, cost, scalability, safety, and reliability
Ability to operate across hands-on technical leadership, team management, and executive-level strategy
Advanced degree in computer science, machine learning, statistics, mathematics, or a related field may be preferred but is not always required
Required application materials include full name, email, LinkedIn URL, resume/CV, and current or preferred working location
PDF format preferred for resume/CV

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity is offered for eventual roles, as indicated by "$250K – $300K
Offers Equity"
Potential visibility into exclusive early-stage opportunities across SignalFire’s portfolio
Profile kept on file for future AI and machine learning leadership roles
Opportunity to receive newsletters, insights, or invitations to community events, subject to communications consent
Ability to request updating or removing personal information from records