Application Guide

How to Apply for Head of Engineering, Research

at FAR AI

🏢 About FAR AI

FAR AI uniquely operates at the intersection of academia and industry, incubating high-impact AI safety research that's too resource-intensive for universities but not yet commercially viable. They focus specifically on ensuring AI systems are trustworthy and beneficial to society, offering the rare opportunity to work on foundational safety problems with real-world impact potential. Their mission-driven approach attracts researchers who want to tackle important problems without corporate constraints.

About This Role

As Head of Engineering, Research, you'll be responsible for scaling FAR AI's technical team from 15 to 30 while maintaining research quality and rigor. This involves managing research pod leads, implementing systems that enable rapid iteration, and proactively removing bottlenecks to accelerate AI safety research. Your work will directly impact how quickly FAR AI can advance critical safety agendas and deepen relationships with leading AI companies and government departments.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves reviewing research pod progress, identifying bottlenecks in current projects, and implementing systems to accelerate work while maintaining rigor. You might spend time mentoring research pod leads, strategizing team growth from 15 to 30, and connecting with AI company partners to ensure research has real-world impact. The role balances internal team management with external relationship building to advance AI safety agendas.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who FAR AI Is Looking For

  • Has experience scaling technical research teams in AI/ML while maintaining quality standards
  • Demonstrates strong people management skills with experience managing other managers (research pod leads)
  • Can design and implement project management systems that balance research rigor with iteration speed
  • Has established relationships with AI companies or government departments relevant to AI safety

📝 Tips for Applying to FAR AI

1

Highlight specific examples of scaling technical teams while maintaining quality - FAR AI cares deeply about growing from 15 to 30 without compromising rigor

2

Demonstrate your understanding of AI safety research workflows and how you've removed bottlenecks in past roles

3

Show evidence of building relationships with external stakeholders (AI companies, government) - this is explicitly mentioned in the job description

4

Explain how you've managed managers before, as you'll be overseeing research pod leads

5

Connect your experience directly to FAR AI's mission of incubating research that's between academia and industry

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience scaling technical research teams while maintaining quality standards', "Specific systems you've implemented for managing research projects that balance speed and rigor", 'Your approach to managing other managers (research pod leads) and holding them accountable', "How your background aligns with FAR AI's unique position between academia and industry"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review FAR AI's published research and technical reports to understand their current focus areas
  • → Study their organizational structure and existing team members on LinkedIn to understand their current scale
  • → Research their partnerships with other AI safety organizations and government entities
  • → Understand the specific challenges of incubating research that's between academia and industry
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would scale a research team from 15 to 30 while maintaining quality
2 How do you balance research rigor with the need for rapid iteration in AI safety work?
3 Describe your experience managing other managers and holding them accountable for team progress
4 How would you identify and remove bottlenecks in a research organization like FAR AI's?
5 What strategies would you use to deepen relationships with AI companies and government departments?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on technical AI skills without demonstrating management and scaling experience
  • Presenting generic management approaches without tailoring them to research organizations
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of FAR AI's unique position between academia and industry

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to FAR AI!

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