How to apply for Proof Engineer, Autoformalisation Engineer

About Iliad

Iliad is a research umbrella organization dedicated to advancing applied mathematics in AI alignment through conferences, research incubation, and fellowship programs. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven effort that bridges formal mathematics and AI safety, with a focus on long-term, high-impact research rather than short-term commercial products.

About the role

As a Proof Engineer / Autoformalisation Engineer, you will build and operate an engine that uses LLM agents to translate mathematical research proposals into formal Lean specifications. You'll collaborate closely with researchers to ensure the formal definitions and theorems faithfully capture their objectives, and you'll help them leverage these formal programs for computation, equation solving, and technique application, ultimately accelerating autonomous mathematical discovery.

A typical day

A typical day might involve debugging the autoformalisation engine, collaborating with a researcher to refine a formal specification, and experimenting with new LLM agent strategies to improve translation accuracy. You'll also spend time reviewing Lean code, optimizing the pipeline, and helping researchers use formal programs for their calculations and proofs.

Who Iliad is looking for

• Strong mathematical judgement with the ability to understand and formalize advanced mathematical research proposals.
• Proficient in Lean theorem proving and formalization, with experience building and debugging coordinated LLM agents.
• Comfortable working in a remote, research-oriented environment and collaborating with mathematicians and AI researchers.
• A proactive problem-solver who can own the operation, debugging, and optimization of a complex autoformalisation pipeline.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific Lean formalization projects you've completed, especially those involving advanced mathematics or research-level theorems.
• Demonstrate experience with LLM agents or multi-agent systems, detailing how you've coordinated them for complex tasks.
• Show familiarity with AI alignment concepts and why autoformalisation is relevant to the field.
• Emphasize your ability to work with researchers to translate informal mathematics into formal specifications, providing concrete examples.
• Mention any contributions to open-source formalization projects or research communities that align with Iliad's mission.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, focus on: (1) your experience with Lean and autoformalisation, particularly using LLM agents; (2) your ability to collaborate with researchers to formalize their ideas; (3) your understanding of AI alignment and the role of formal methods in safe AI; and (4) your track record of building and debugging complex systems.

Research before applying

• Explore Iliad's website, especially their conferences, research incubation projects, and fellowship programs, to understand their focus areas in applied mathematics and AI alignment.
• Read recent papers or blog posts on autoformalisation and LLM agents in theorem proving to familiarize yourself with the state of the art.
• Look into the Lean theorem prover and its community, including any projects related to AI alignment or formal verification of AI systems.
• Investigate the backgrounds of Iliad's team members and affiliates to understand their research interests and potential collaboration opportunities.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you design an autoformalisation pipeline that uses LLM agents to convert a mathematical proposal into Lean code?
• Describe a time you formalized a complex mathematical concept in Lean. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
• How do you ensure that formal definitions and theorems faithfully represent the original research objectives?
• What are the key challenges in coordinating multiple LLM agents for autoformalisation, and how would you address them?
• Why is autoformalisation important for AI alignment, and how does Iliad's mission align with your career goals?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Avoid generic applications that don't demonstrate specific Lean or autoformalisation experience; this role requires deep technical expertise.
• Don't overlook the AI alignment context; showing no interest or understanding of why this work matters for AI safety is a red flag.
• Avoid focusing solely on LLM engineering without demonstrating strong mathematical judgement and formalization skills.