get hired at
Trajectory
Continual-learning platform that customizes open-source models and optimizes AI agent 'harnesses'
- 12
- SLNVIBVP+3
- San Francisco
- AI
Open roles at Trajectory
3 positions we're tracking, re-checked daily
Know when Trajectory is hiring before anyone else
A role stays uncontested for about four days. Here's the window, and where we put you in it.
From $5.99/week, cancel any time.
- live
- +2h+2hrole spotted & verified1
- +4h+4hyou get the alert1
- day 3day 3you've applied~8
- day 7+day 7+hits the job boards250+
What Trajectory is building
A software platform that automates customization of open-source models and optimizes the programmatic 'harnesses' agents use for tools/actions. Proprietary SDPO (self-distillation policy optimization) ingests human-in-the-loop corrections to update agent decision paths; also open-sourced 'Continuous LoRA' framework that halves training time via concurrent jobs.
Why this matters
Malde reportedly left ~$2B in unvested Google equity to start Trajectory; his thesis (every product becomes a 'living system' improving with every user interaction) parallels Satya Nadella's 'token capital' argument. Sequoia leading a back-to-back round nine weeks after seed, with NVIDIA strategic participation, signals scarcity-priced bet on continual learning as core AI infrastructure.
Investors: Sequoia (lead), NVIDIA, Bessemer Venture Partners (also Radical Ventures, BoxGroup at seed), Angels: Jeff Dean, Fei-Fei Li (seed)
Hiring outlook
Round explicitly funds expanding the research and engineering team; live Ashby board with named MTS roles. Small (11-12 person) team scaling fast on fresh $40M.
Working at Trajectory
Trajectory is Continual-learning platform that customizes open-source models and optimizes AI agent 'harnesses', and now <50 people. For a AI company this size, the reality is broad remit, direct access to founders, and equity that still means something if the company works out.
Most Trajectory jobs are based in San Francisco.
How to actually get hired at Trajectory
Why applying the normal way doesn't work
With only <50 employees, Trajectory doesn't have dedicated recruiters. Founders review applications between running the company. The challenge isn't competition — it's visibility. Direct outreach wins.
Who to contact at Trajectory
- Who decides
- a founder or department head
- Best channel
- LinkedIn or direct email
Founding team
Former Apple researcher; public speaker on closing the AI 'experience gap.'
Former Google DeepMind researcher.
Stanford; post-training for agentic coding at Google DeepMind, previously at Windsurf (trained SWE-1). Left substantial unvested Google equity to found Trajectory.
What to show them
RLHF/DPO/GRPO experience, LoRA/distillation work, agent post-training; reproducible papers or open-source contributions.
A cold email that works at Trajectory
What Trajectory screens for
Reference OPSD/SDPO using 'privileged hints rather than larger teacher models,' and the legal-AI customer (Harvey) matching frontier performance at far lower cost.
Tailor your CV to the specific Trajectory role rather than sending a general one. Applications that mirror the language of the job description clear automated filters at a materially higher rate.
Don't make these mistakes
Do NOT confuse with 'Trajectory Labs' (AI-safety/red-teaming), 'Trajectory Inc' (ERP/CRM consultancy), or YC's 'General Trajectory.' Distinct from generic fine-tuning services — edge is continual learning + harness optimization.
Mistakes that kill Trajectory applications
A recycled CV gets rejected fast at Trajectory (<50 people). They notice.
Lead with their problem, not your ambition. Trajectory is focused on Malde reportedly left ~$2B in unvested Google equity to start Trajectory; his thesis (every product becomes a 'living system' improving with every user interaction) parallels Satya Nadella's 'token capital' argument — show you understand that.
Don't apply and wait. The median AI application gets no response ever. One follow-up at day five roughly doubles reply rates.
Applying to Trajectory? Get the contact, not the form.
The Trajectory interview process
We don't yet have verified candidate reports for Trajectory. What follows is the typical process for a <50-person AI company, so treat it as a model, not confirmed detail.
Interview stages
- 1
Intro Call
Video call · 30 min
What it testsCulture fit and role expectationsUsually run byFounder or hiring manager - 2
Technical Deep Dive
Video call or in-person · 60 min
What it testsPast projects and problem-solving approachUsually run byTechnical founder or lead - 3
Final Round
In-person or video · 45 min
What it testsTeam fit and offer discussionUsually run byFounding team
Trajectory take-home assignment
Trajectory includes a take-home exercise in their interview process. For AI roles, this typically involves a practical problem that takes 2-4 hours. Focus on clean, working code over premature optimization. They're evaluating how you think and communicate, not just the solution.
Trajectory interview timeline
Trajectory runs about 7 days from first contact to offer. The median for AI companies at <50 people is 10 days, so Trajectory is faster than most.
Interviewed at Trajectory?
Tell us how it went: stages, questions, timeline. Takes 90 seconds and it's how this page stays accurate for the next person.
Trajectory jobs, frequently asked questions
How many jobs does Trajectory have open?
We're tracking 3 active openings at Trajectory (verified October 4, 2026).
Does Trajectory hire remotely?
Trajectory doesn't have remote openings at the moment. All roles are in San Francisco.
What roles is Trajectory hiring for?
Trajectory is hiring across Other, Data, Engineering. The most recent opening is Member of Technical Staff–Generalist.
How do I apply for a job at Trajectory?
Click through to apply, or see our detailed guide on landing a job at Trajectory.
Does Trajectory respond to cold emails?
We haven't verified response rates at Trajectory yet.
Who is the hiring manager at Trajectory?
At this size, hiring is usually run by a founder or department head.
How competitive is it to get hired at Trajectory?
Typical applicant count for AI roles (<50 people): 50-100 in two weeks. Apply fast.
How many rounds is the Trajectory interview?
3 stages: Intro Call, Technical Deep Dive, Final Round.
Is the Trajectory interview hard?
The interview emphasizes technical depth and system design over abstract problems. Hardest stage: Technical Interview.
Does Trajectory give a take-home task?
Yes, Trajectory includes a take-home assignment.
How long does Trajectory take to get back to you?
Around 7 days across the full process.
What should I prepare for the Trajectory interview?
Study technical depth and system design. At this size (<50), they care about self-sufficiency over textbook knowledge.
Where is Trajectory based?
Trajectory is headquartered in San Francisco, US.
Get Trajectory roles before they're posted
A role stays uncontested for about four days. Here's the window, and where we put you in it.
From $5.99/week, cancel any time.
- live
- +2h+2hrole spotted & verified1
- +4h+4hyou get the alert1
- day 3day 3you've applied~8
- day 7+day 7+hits the job boards250+
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