---
title: 'Background Investigator / Analyst at SandboxAQ'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/background-investigator-analyst-sandboxaq-united-states-0me27er3nsz3'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-16'
---

# Background Investigator / Analyst at SandboxAQ

- **Company:** SandboxAQ
- **Location:** United States
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-08-20
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-16
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/sandboxaq/20fb831b-1b7d-46bb-9fdf-9e30fb68424a

## Job description

## About SandboxAQ

SandboxAQ is a high-growth company delivering AI solutions that address some of the world's greatest challenges. The company’s Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) power advances in life sciences, financial services, navigation, cybersecurity, and other sectors. We are a global team that is tech-focused and includes experts in AI, chemistry, cybersecurity, physics, mathematics, medicine, engineering, and other specialties. The company emerged from Alphabet Inc. as an independent, growth capital-backed company in 2022, funded by leading investors and supported by a braintrust of industry leaders. At SandboxAQ, we’ve cultivated an environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and impact. By investing deeply in our people, we’re building a thriving, global workforce poised to tackle the world's epic challenges. Join us to advance your career in pursuit of an inspiring mission, in a community of like-minded people who value entrepreneurialism, ownership, and transformative impact.

The Opportunity We are seeking an experienced Background Investigator / Analyst to join our Information Security team and the insider threat program. In this role, you will partner with HR, Information Security, and Legal teams to identify, evaluate, and quantify personnel risk, delivering comprehensive analytical reports to substantiate risk determinations. The ideal candidate combines strong investigative research skills with sound analytical judgment and an understanding of privacy, employment screening, and personnel security considerations. You will independently manage investigations from intake through final reporting, identify relevant risk indicators, assess source credibility, and provide actionable recommendations to executive stakeholders.

## Key Responsibilities

- Leverage open-source intelligence (OSINT) and commercial investigative tools to facilitate comprehensive information gathering and research.
- Verify the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of information gathered from available sources.
- Perform quantitative risk analysis based on available information, applying a consistent and repeatable methodology to support risk determinations.
- Partner with HR, Legal, and Information Security teams to identify, triage, and mitigate internal and external personnel security risks.
- Handle sensitive personal data with appropriate discretion and escalate high-risk or ambiguous findings to leadership in a timely manner.
- Help refine investigative methodologies, risk-scoring models, research procedures, and reporting standards as the organization's personnel risk program matures.
- Conduct research and analysis in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, company policies, and ethical standards.

Essential Skills & Experience

- Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Psychology, Intelligence Studies, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
- 3–5 years of professional experience conducting background investigations, due diligence research, employment screening, corporate investigations, intelligence analysis, or related investigative work, particularly involving US-based individuals or organizations.
- Proficiency with investigative research databases and tools or demonstrated ability to learn commercial research platforms quickly.
- Strong written communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex findings into clear, concise risk assessments and dossiers.
- Understanding of privacy regulations, and ethical standards governing background investigations and employment screening.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple investigations while maintaining accurate documentation and consistent investigative standards.
- Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment when working with confidential, sensitive, or potentially adverse information.

## Preferred Requirements

- Experience with open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques and tools for investigating individuals and corporate entities.
- Familiarity with insider threat frameworks, indicators of compromise, or personnel security concepts (e.g., NISPOM, SEAD guidelines, general operation in FCL environments).
- Knowledge of foreign influence risk factors, export control regulations (ITAR/EAR), or IP protection concerns in a corporate environment.
- Prior experience in a corporate security, information security, or risk management function (vs. purely federal/government investigation).
- Relevant certifications such as Certified Background Investigator (CBI), Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) membership, FCRA certification, or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

Why Join Us? We offer competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for professional growth.

- Compensation: Competitive base salary, performance-based incentives or bonuses (where applicable), and equity participation.
- Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents with generous employer premium contributions, retirement savings with company matching, paid parental leave, and inclusive family-building benefits.
- Work-Life Balance: Fully remote, Flexible paid time off, company-wide seasonal breaks, and support for flexible work arrangements that enable sustainable performance.
- Career Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and growth through on-the-job development, cross-functional collaboration, and access to internal learning and development programs.

SandboxAQ Welcomes All We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and respect, where diverse perspectives are actively sought and valued. Our multidisciplinary environment provides ample opportunity for continuous growth - working alongside humble, empowered, and ambitious colleagues ready to tackle epic challenges. Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. Accommodations: We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in job application procedures for open roles. If you need such an accommodation, please let a member of our Recruiting team know. Read: [Guidance for candidates on using AI Tools in interviews](https://www.sandboxaq.com/ai-in-interviews)

## About SandboxAQ

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: SandboxAQ develops Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) that combine AI and quantum techniques to solve real-world challenges in drug discovery, materials, navigation, cybersecurity, and other high-impact sectors.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Late Stage; raised $1.6B total, including Series E, venture rounds, and grants)
- **Headquarters**: Palo Alto, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2021 (spun out from Alphabet in 2022)
- **Founders**: Jack Hidary (CEO); Eric Schmidt serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors

## Core Business
- **Primary Industries**: AI/Quantum software, life sciences (drug discovery), cybersecurity, financial services, navigation/defense, materials science
- **Target Customers**: B2B, serving large enterprises and government organizations in pharma, energy, defense, finance, and logistics
- **Mission**: Revolutionize industries with groundbreaking solutions at the intersection of AI and quantum technology

## Products & Services
- **AQBioSim**: AI simulation platform for accelerating molecular design and reducing failure rates in drug discovery (SaaS)
- **LQMs for Cybersecurity**: Cryptography management and quantum-safe security solutions (e.g., post-quantum cryptography, key management)
- **AI Navigation & Sensing**: Precise positioning and navigation systems resistant to jamming/spoofing, leveraging AI and quantum sensors (SaaS + hardware integration)
- **Materials & Chemistry Modeling**: LQMs that predict atomic-level properties to unlock new compounds for chemicals and materials (SaaS)
- **Financial Services LQMs**: Models for risk analysis, portfolio optimization, and fraud detection (SaaS)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed; total funding reached $1.6 billion
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding: $1.6B (13 rounds); Annual Revenue (estimated): $9M (via disclosed financial data)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: T. Rowe Price, Eric Schmidt, Breyer Capital, Guggenheim Partners, Marc Benioff, Thomas Tull, Paladin Capital Group, Nvidia (backed via grant/award)
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount: ~296 employees (+10.6% YoY)
  - Operating in 16 countries (US, Canada, UK, France, Spain, Switzerland, etc.)
  - Acquired Good Chemistry (Jan 2024) and Cryptosense (Sep 2022) to expand capabilities
  - Recent funding: $95M venture round (July 2025), additional private equity round (Feb 2026)
  - US government awarded $500M (Nvidia-backed) for finding new outcomes (likely defense/pharma contract)
  - Recognized with multiple industry awards (Fierce Innovator in Life Sciences 2025, Wash100 Award, etc.)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Quantitative AI (LQMs)**: Models that understand the physical world (molecules, materials, navigation) – distinct from purely data-driven LLMs
- **Alphabet Spinout Heritage**: Foundational technology and talent from Google’s parent company
- **Multidisciplinary Team**: Physicists, chemists, cryptographers, AI researchers – rare combination
- **Strong Government & Enterprise Ties**: Direct contracts with US defense and pharma, plus deep investor network
- **Integrated Portfolio**: One platform covering simulation, cybersecurity, and sensing – creating cross-selling opportunities

## Strategic Focus
- **Scale LQM Applications**: Expand from drug discovery into climate, energy, and defense
- **Deepen Government Partnerships**: Capitalize on $500M US award and develop mission-critical navigation/security systems
- **Build Ecosystem**: Open APIs and partnerships with cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Databricks) to embed LQMs into existing workflows
- **Talent Acquisition**: Aggressively hiring ML engineers, computational chemists, and research scientists to maintain technical lead

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Emphasizes inclusion, service leadership, and fearlessness. Described as “the most humble player in the AQ industry” with a growth mindset.
- **Remote/Hybrid Policy**: Flexible work environment; home office stipend and connectivity stipend provided; regular offsites for collaboration.
- **Benefits**: Best-in-class medical, dental, vision; 100% paid maternity/paternity leave; 401k with company match; wellness stipend; learning & development programs; flexible time off including winter break and volunteering days.
- **Engineering Culture**: Hands-on work at the frontier of AI and quantum; cross-disciplinary teams (physics, chemistry, neuroscience, cryptography); opportunity to publish research and attend conferences.
- **Growth Opportunities**: Residency program for early-career scientists; stock options; clear career progression in a fast-growing late-stage startup.

## Sources
1. [sandboxaq.com](https://www.sandboxaq.com/)
2. [sandboxaq.com/company/about-us](https://www.sandboxaq.com/company/about-us)
3. [sandboxaq.com/careers](https://www.sandboxaq.com/careers)
4. [linkedin.com/company/sandboxaq](https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandboxaq)
5. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/sandboxaq](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/sandboxaq)

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