Application Guide
How to Apply for [Expression of Interest] Research Engineer, Model Evaluations
at Anthropic
🏢 About Anthropic
Anthropic is a frontier AI research company focused specifically on building safe, interpretable, and steerable AI systems, distinguishing itself through its commitment to AI alignment and safety as core principles. The company operates at the cutting edge of AI development with teams working on alignment, policy, and security, making it unique for those who want to work on AI safety as a primary mission rather than as an afterthought.
About This Role
This Research Engineer role on the Model Evaluations team involves designing and implementing Anthropic's evaluation platform, which directly shapes how the company measures and improves model capabilities and safety. You'll work at the intersection of research and engineering to develop evaluations that provide insight into emerging capabilities and build infrastructure that influences training decisions and model development roadmaps.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve designing new evaluation protocols for emerging model capabilities, implementing improvements to the evaluation platform infrastructure, and collaborating with research teams to analyze evaluation results and inform model development decisions. You'd balance hands-on engineering work with strategic discussions about how evaluation systems can better measure and improve model safety and performance.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Anthropic Is Looking For
- Strong background in both research methodology and engineering implementation, capable of translating evaluation research into robust production systems
- Experience with AI model evaluation frameworks, benchmarking, or safety testing in a research or production environment
- Ability to collaborate effectively with training teams, alignment researchers, and safety teams to ensure models meet deployment standards
- Technical leadership skills to drive both strategic vision and hands-on implementation of evaluation systems
📝 Tips for Applying to Anthropic
Explicitly address AI safety and alignment in your application materials, showing you understand Anthropic's specific mission
Highlight specific experience with model evaluation systems, benchmarking, or safety testing frameworks
Demonstrate how you've worked at the intersection of research and engineering in previous roles
Since this is an expression of interest rather than active hiring, focus on long-term fit and mission alignment rather than immediate availability
Show understanding of frontier AI development challenges and how evaluation systems can address them
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience with AI model evaluation systems or safety testing frameworks', 'How your background bridges research methodology and engineering implementation', "Your alignment with Anthropic's mission of building safe, interpretable, and steerable AI systems", 'Examples of technical leadership in designing and implementing complex evaluation or testing systems']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Anthropic's research publications on AI safety and model evaluation (available on their website)
- → The company's specific approach to AI alignment and how it differs from other AI labs
- → Anthropic's model development philosophy and how evaluation fits into their development pipeline
- → Recent public statements or blog posts about their evaluation methodologies or safety practices
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on engineering skills without demonstrating understanding of research methodology or AI safety
- Treating this as a standard engineering role without addressing the specific mission of AI safety and alignment
- Failing to acknowledge that this is currently an expression of interest rather than active hiring
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!