Technical Sourcer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 21, 2026. First seen by Alion on Aug 4, 2026.
About Thinking Machines
The mission of Thinking Machines is to build AI that extends human will and judgment. We are training frontier models with Inkling, developing Tinker to let people make models their own, and crafting interfaces that broaden human-AI communication. We believe the future worth building is human, and we're hiring people who want to build it.
About the Role
We're hiring a Recruiting Sourcer to build the pipeline of exceptional research and engineering talent that will define the next generation of AI. You'll partner closely with recruiters, hiring managers, and our technical leaders to identify, engage, and build relationships with candidates across research, engineering, and infrastructure.
This role is foundational to our growth. You'll need to think creatively about where to find rare technical talent, craft outreach that resonates with researchers and engineers who aren't actively looking, and help us build a sourcing function from the ground up at a fast-moving startup.
What You’ll Do
Build and manage a pipeline of candidates across research, engineering, and infrastructure roles, using creative and diverse sourcing channels
Partner with recruiters and hiring managers to deeply understand role requirements and translate them into effective sourcing strategies
Write and send personalized outreach that engages passive candidates, including senior researchers and engineers
Track pipeline metrics and sourcing effectiveness, and iterate on strategy based on what's working
Represent Thinking Machines' mission and culture authentically to prospective candidates throughout the sourcing process
Help build and refine our sourcing tools, processes, and infrastructure as the team scales
Skills and Qualifications
Minimum qualifications:
3+ years of sourcing or recruiting experience, ideally supporting technical roles in AI labs or tech startups
Track record of successfully identifying and engaging passive technical candidates, including researchers and engineers
Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling, personalized outreach
Preferred qualifications:
Familiarity with the AI/ML research landscape, including key labs, conferences, and communities
Experience using sourcing tools and platforms (e.g., LinkedIn Recruiter, GitHub, academic search tools)
Experience building sourcing processes and infrastructure at an early-stage or fast-scaling company
Comfort operating with significant autonomy and adapting quickly as priorities shift
Logistics
Location: This role is based in San Francisco, CA.
Compensation: Depending on background, skills and experience, the expected annual salary range for this position is $200,000 - $275,000 USD.
Visa sponsorship: We sponsor visas. While we can't guarantee success for every candidate or role, if you're the right fit, we're committed to working through the visa process together.
Benefits: Thinking Machines offers generous health, dental, and vision benefits, unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, and relocation support as needed.