Application Guide

How to Apply for Head of Engineering (Research)

at Far.Ai

🏢 About Far.Ai

Far.Ai is a non-profit AI research institute founded in 2022 that has quickly become influential in AI safety, publishing over 40 academic papers at premier venues like NeurIPS and ICML. Unlike typical tech companies, it's mission-driven to ensure advanced AI is safe and beneficial, working directly with leading AI companies and government AI safety institutes on global coordination.

About This Role

This role focuses 90% on building, managing, and scaling the technical research team from 15 to 30 staff across 3-5 research pods, with minimal individual contributor work. You'll be the key glue streamlining internal partnerships and managing external relationships with AI companies and government institutes to enable rapid testing and iteration of new AI safety ideas.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves 1:1s with research pod leads, reviewing team progress and blockers, coordinating with other Far.Ai divisions on cross-functional projects, and meetings with external stakeholders like AI companies or government institutes to align on safety research priorities and partnerships.

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🎯 Who Far.Ai Is Looking For

  • Has 5-10+ years of technical team management experience including managing managers, with a track record of impactful outcomes in rapidly evolving environments like startups or research labs
  • Has successfully executed organizational pivots and scaled teams during critical growth phases, specifically in technical/research contexts
  • Thrives in mission-driven environments and can balance excellent people/project management with maintaining high research quality during rapid expansion
  • Has experience managing cross-functional partnerships and external stakeholder relationships in technical domains

📝 Tips for Applying to Far.Ai

1

Quantify your impact in scaling technical/research teams - specifically mention team size growth, research output improvements, or process implementations

2

Highlight experience with research pod structures or similar research team organization models used in AI/tech research environments

3

Demonstrate understanding of AI safety research landscape by referencing specific Far.Ai papers or research directions from their publications

4

Show evidence of managing external partnerships with technical organizations, especially in AI or research contexts

5

Emphasize experience in rapidly evolving environments with concrete examples of successful pivots or adaptations

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience scaling technical research teams and managing managers during growth phases', 'Examples of implementing people/project management systems that enabled rapid iteration while maintaining quality', "Your alignment with Far.Ai's non-profit, mission-driven approach to AI safety and global coordination", 'Experience managing cross-functional partnerships and external stakeholder relationships in technical domains']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read 3-4 recent Far.Ai papers to understand their research focus and methodologies
  • → Review their AI Safety events and partnerships mentioned in media coverage
  • → Understand their organizational structure and how research pods currently operate
  • → Research their key external stakeholders mentioned (leading AI companies, government AI safety institutes)

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you structure the expansion from 3 to 5 research pods while maintaining research quality?
2 Describe your approach to managing relationships with external stakeholders like AI companies and government institutes
3 How have you successfully executed pivots in rapidly evolving technical environments?
4 What metrics would you use to measure team performance and research impact at Far.Ai?
5 How would you balance rapid iteration with maintaining high research standards in AI safety work?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing too much on individual contributor work rather than team scaling and management (90/10 split)
  • Generic management experience without specific examples in technical/research team scaling
  • Lack of understanding about AI safety research or Far.Ai's specific mission and publications

📅 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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