---
title: 'Member of Technical Staff (Software Engineer, Applied AI) at Perplexity'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/member-of-technical-staff-software-engineer-applied-ai-perplexity-san-francisco-9ch99sgxt91v'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Member of Technical Staff (Software Engineer, Applied AI) at Perplexity

- **Company:** [Perplexity](https://feeny.ai/companies/perplexity)
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Compensation:** $220k–$405k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Posted:** 2025-09-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/Perplexity/3c656963-876a-458d-bca6-916a42a24c1a/application

**Skills:** Python, Machine Learning, Large Language Models, Agentic Coding Tools, Data Analysis, Model Evaluation, A/B Testing, LLM Context Engineering, Harness Engineering, Mid-training Open Source Models, Post-training Open Source Models, User Modeling, Retrieval, Content Ranking

> Design, build, and iterate on cutting-edge agents powering Perplexity Computer's core experience. Develop frontier context layer applications using state-of-the-art ML and LLM techniques to fulfill user curiosity and drive product improvements.

## Job description

Perplexity is looking for an Applied AI Engineer to design, build, and iterate on cutting-edge agents powering our core experience in Perplexity Computer. Working in this mission critical team, you will develop frontier context layer applications - fulfilling the curiosity of millions of users across the globe.

## Key Responsibilities

- Apply state-of-the-art ML and LLM techniques to solve problems spanning:
- Personalization (LLM memory, context summarization, retrieval and ranking);
- Contextual recommendations and Monetization applications
- Build frontier agent capabilities on top of Perplexity Computer
- Build auto research harness for both offline and online techniques, designing experiments and metrics that provide deep insight into quality and impact.
- Own the entire model lifecycle from research to production: data analysis, modeling, evaluation, offline/online A/B testing, and iterative improvement and build autonomous harness for agent squad to explore different problem spaces.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, PMs, data scientists, and designers to ensure our AI drives meaningful product improvements.
- Stay at the forefront of ML/AI innovation by evaluating and incorporating emerging research and algorithms into the product lifecycle.

## Preferred Qualifications

- 5+ years experience building and shipping robust AI products for large-scale, user-facing or data-driven products.
- Strong software engineering skills (Python, production-quality codebases, collaborative development) and experience using agentic coding tools for large scale parallel developments.
- In-depth experience with the full AI lifecycle: data analysis, rigorous evaluation, and ongoing monitoring/improvement.
- Proven collaborator and communicator; excels in high-velocity, cross-functional teams.
- Curious, driven by end-user/product impact, and passionate about advancing the state of applied ML and AI.
- BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Bonus Points For

- Experience with LLM context engineering or harness engineering.
- Experience in mid-training or post-training frontier open source models
- Experience in large scale user-centric and content-centric personalization challenges (user modeling, retrieval, content ranking, etc).

## About Perplexity

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Perplexity builds an AI-powered answer engine that delivers accurate, real-time answers to any question, serving curious minds and professionals who demand precision and speed.
- **Entity Type**: Private (total funding $1.7B across 16 rounds)
- **Headquarters**: San Francisco, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Aravind Srinivas, Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, Andy Konwinski

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: AI-powered search and knowledge retrieval, Software Development
- **Target customers**: B2C (general users), B2B (enterprise API customers), and power users seeking reliable information
- **Mission**: “AI for people who expect more – more accuracy, more agency, more signal, less noise.”

## Products & Services
- **Perplexity AI (Free Tier)**: Real-time conversational search engine that synthesizes web results with citations, accessible via web and mobile app. *Type*: SaaS
- **Perplexity Pro**: Subscription offering enhanced features such as advanced AI models, multimodal search, and increased usage limits. *Type*: SaaS (subscription)
- **Perplexity API Platform**: Enables developers to integrate Perplexity’s search and reasoning capabilities into their own applications. *Type*: API
- **Perplexity Browser Extension**: Brings AI-powered search directly into the browser for quick answers without leaving the page. *Type*: Browser extension

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available in provided sources (prior reports indicate ~$9B valuation as of 2024, but not confirmed in this data set)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding $1.7B (16 rounds); annual revenue ~$50M (LinkedIn estimate)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not explicitly listed in provided search results; widely known investors include IVP, NEA, Jeff Bezos, and others (not sourced here)
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 11.3% YoY to 1,152 employees; operates in 54 countries; LinkedIn followers grew 131.8% yearly to >1.6M; active hiring across 48+ open roles including AI Research, Engineering, and Go-to-Market teams

## Competitive Advantages
- **Real-time, cited answers**: Unlike traditional chatbots, Perplexity grounds answers in live web results with transparent sources, building trust and accuracy.
- **Multimodal and agentic capabilities**: Continuously pushes frontier research (e.g., query-aware context compression, agents for knowledge work) that differentiates from generic LLM interfaces.
- **Vertical integration from research to product**: In-house AI research team tackles open problems unique to Perplexity’s scale, enabling fast iteration on novel methods.
- **Strong brand and user base**: Rapid consumer adoption with millions of monthly active users and high engagement.

## Strategic Focus
- **Pushing the frontier of search**: Evolving from retrieval services to code generation, agents, and full autonomy in knowledge work.
- **Expanding enterprise and API revenue**: Growing B2B footprint with API platform and enterprise solutions.
- **Global hiring and office expansion**: Offices in San Francisco, Palo Alto, New York, Austin, Washington D.C., London, Berlin, and Belgrade, with “4 days in office” hybrid model.
- **Investing in AI research**: Dedicated research division (Perplexity Research) exploring reasoning, agents, and systems to redefine how people navigate the internet.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Environment**: “Thoughtful support” culture with emphasis on craftsmanship, ownership, entrepreneurship, scholarship, and partnership. Hybrid schedule (4 days in-office) based on location.
- **Perks**: Daily catered meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner in office), office snacks, ride home program, commuter benefits, home office reimbursement, fitness classes, gym memberships.
- **Compensation & Benefits**: Competitive salary and equity packages; retirement plans with company match; flexible PTO; holiday shutdown between Christmas and New Year; 12 weeks paid bonding leave; comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
- **Relocation & Visa Support**: Relocation assistance and visa/green card sponsorship for eligible roles. Partners with immigration firm to support the process.
- **Engineering Excellence**: “Technical assessment for relevant roles”; values hands-on contribution, broad skill sets, and merit-based evaluation. Frequent Tech Talks and exposure to greenfield AI research problems.

## Sources
1. [perplexity.ai/hub/careers](https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/careers)
2. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/perplexity](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/perplexity)
3. [perplexity.ai](https://www.perplexity.ai/)
4. [linkedin.com/company/perplexity-ai](https://www.linkedin.com/company/perplexity-ai)
5. [research.perplexity.ai](https://research.perplexity.ai/)

## Other roles at Perplexity

- [Senior Cinematographer, Brand Studio](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-cinematographer-brand-studio-perplexity-san-francisco-2fyy35sdtdh1) — San Francisco, CA
- [Strategic Business Operations Lead, API](https://feeny.ai/job/strategic-business-operations-lead-api-perplexity-san-francisco-v9wgj13z5mkz) — San Francisco, CA
- [Technical Customer Success Manager, API](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-customer-success-manager-api-perplexity-san-francisco-8jsszbfvmpsm) — San Francisco, CA
- [Member of Technical Staff (Applied AI Engineer, Agent Capabilities)](https://feeny.ai/job/member-of-technical-staff-applied-ai-engineer-agent-capabilities-perplexity-san-47rx693z06xs) — San Francisco, CA
- [Enablement Specialist, Perplexity Computer](https://feeny.ai/job/enablement-specialist-perplexity-computer-perplexity-san-francisco-n096fr55k7gk) — San Francisco, CA
- [Member of Technical Staff (General Software Engineer, Infrastructure)](https://feeny.ai/job/member-of-technical-staff-general-software-engineer-infrastructure-perplexity-phdw5wsw1ys9) — San Francisco, CA
- [Virtual Events Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/virtual-events-manager-perplexity-san-francisco-9z3wjardvdqq) — San Francisco, CA
- [Field Marketing Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/field-marketing-manager-perplexity-san-francisco-3dfbnq1x8c0j) — San Francisco, CA
- [Product Manager, SMB Growth](https://feeny.ai/job/product-manager-smb-growth-perplexity-new-york-kd2qx39ttej6) — New York, NY
- [Product Manager, Mobile Apps](https://feeny.ai/job/product-manager-mobile-apps-perplexity-san-francisco-v9491j337kha) — San Francisco, CA