---
title: 'Research Scientist, Post-Training — Video Generation at Pika'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/research-scientist-post-training-video-generation-pika-united-states-7p60ewgn092p'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-11'
---

# Research Scientist, Post-Training — Video Generation at Pika

- **Company:** Pika
- **Location:** United States
- **Compensation:** $185k–$400k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-11-06
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/pika/d3993c91-4dd5-4868-8108-4e9b78133e7b

## Job description

## About the Role

At Pika, we are pioneering the next generation of creative infrastructure built around real-time, multimodal generation and intelligent agentic platforms. We are seeking Research Scientists with expertise in RL post-training and generative modeling for large-scale video generation. The focus is on refining Pika's video generation models using RL alignment and building robust video reward models. This is a staff and lead-level opportunity.

As a key member of our research team, you will own RL-based post-training for video diffusion/flow-matching models, develop state-of-the-art reward models, and lead post-training evaluation across human and automated metrics. You will collaborate closely with engineering and product teams, shaping the frontier of real-time creative and agentic video platforms.

Scope

- RL alignment of Pika's video generation models and the reward models that drive them.
- Distillation of RL-tuned models is a secondary focus.

## Responsibilities

- Run RL post-training (preference optimization, online RL against learned rewards) for video diffusion/flow-matching models at multi-node scale.
- Build video reward models: define target evaluation dimensions, design/configure preference data collection workflows, train and validate learned judges, and safeguard against reward hacking.
- Own post-training evaluation, including human preference studies and their correlation with automated metrics.
- Distill RL-tuned models to efficient few-step samplers while preserving alignment gains (secondary focus).

## What We’re Looking For

Required

- 2+ years hands-on research experience in post-training or generative modeling.
- RL or preference-optimization experience on generative models with evidence of model improvement.
- Strong grounding in diffusion or flow-matching models, PyTorch, and multi-node distributed training.

## Preferred

- Experience developing reward models for visual generation, including VLM-as-judge or large-scale preference data collection.
- Distillation expertise (distribution matching, consistency, adversarial approaches), ideally for video models.
- Familiarity with video-specific failure modes: temporal drift, motion and physics realism.

## What We Offer

- Competitive salary and substantial equity in a high-growth startup
- Full health benefits + 401k matching and more
- Collaborative, mission-driven team environment with significant growth opportunities
- Flexible on-site/remote hybrid (HQ in Palo Alto, CA)

## About Pika

Pika empowers creators by building state-of-the-art agentic and multimedia platforms. Our vision is to break down technical barriers to creativity, making real-time generative and intelligent orchestration accessible to all. Join us to shape the next evolution of creative technology!

If you are passionate about advancing RL alignment and generative modeling for video, and want to scale real-time multimodal foundation models, we want to hear from you.

## About Pika

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Pika is an AI-native creative platform that enables users to generate, edit, and transform videos—and now "birth" persistent AI agents—from text, images, and voice.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B)
- **Headquarters**: Palo Alto, California, United States (also has an office in Mountain View, CA)
- **Founded**: 2023
- **Founders**: Demi Guo (CEO), Chenlin Meng (CTO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Generative AI / AI Video & Agent Platform
- **Target customers**: B2C (creators, social media users, marketers) and B2B (developers via Pika API and MCP)
- **Mission or purpose**: To make video creation accessible to everyone, and now to give everyone a "creative partner" AI agent

## Products & Services
- **Pika Video App**: The core product—an AI video generator that turns text prompts, images, and videos into new clips. Supports styles (3D animation, anime, cartoon, cinematic) and effects like "squish it, melt it, cake-ify it."
- **Pika Agent**: A persistent, portable AI agent that users "birth" and own. Multi-modal (text, voice, image, video) and lives across platforms. Users can train it to have personality, memory, and voice—essentially a creative co-pilot.
- **AI Trendmaker**: A feature that lets users hop on viral video trends with just a selfie and a sound.
- **Pika API**: Hosted API for developers to integrate Pika's video generation capabilities into their own apps and workflows.
- **Pika MCP**: Model Context Protocol for connecting agents to external tools and data.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (estimated at ~$470M post-money based on Series B terms)
- **Total Funding**: $135M across 4 rounds
  - Pre-Seed (Jan 2023): $15M led by Nat Friedman & Daniel Gross
  - Seed (May 2023): Amount undisclosed
  - Series A (Nov 2023): $35M led by Lightspeed Venture Partners
  - Series B (Jun 2024): $80M led by Spark Capital
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Spark Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount grew 27.4% YoY to 59 employees
  - Monthly website visits: ~1.87M (global rank #25,677)
  - Talent sourced from top AI labs (TikTok, Jane Street, Runway, Kling AI, Snap Inc.)
  - 1 active job posting (Head of Engineering) as of mid-2026
  - Launched Pika Agent and Pika API in 2025-2026, expanding beyond video generation into agentic AI

## Competitive Advantages
- **"Birth and own" agent model**: Pika is pioneering the concept of a user-owned, persistent AI agent that evolves with the user—different from one-off chatbot interactions.
- **Multi-modal creative platform**: Combines video generation, agent capabilities, and trend tools in one ecosystem.
- **Strong early traction and talent density**: Raised $135M quickly from top-tier investors; alumni from TikTok, Runway, Jane Street, and other elite tech firms.
- **Small, high-leverage team**: ~59 people operating globally with a "small, dynamic team" culture that values efficiency and ambition.

## Strategic Focus
- **Agent-first future**: Pika is shifting from "just a video tool" to an agent platform where users create and own their AI creative partner.
- **Platform expansion**: Opening up via API and MCP to integrate with external apps and workflows.
- **Global reach**: Operating in 19 countries with a distributed (but Palo Alto-centric) team.
- **Continued R&D in generative video**: Improving realism, style variety, and real-time generation.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Pika describes itself as "small, dynamic" and values "efficiency, collaboration, and creativity." They seek "intellect, work ethic, and ambition."
- **Remote/Hybrid**: Not explicitly stated, but the team is distributed across 19 countries (with the US hub in Palo Alto/Mountain View). Likely hybrid or flexible.
- **Notable perks**: The careers page emphasizes "career growth in a culture that fosters both individual and collective development." They also champion an inclusive culture.
- **Engineering culture**: Tech stack includes Python, TypeScript, Kubernetes, TensorFlow, React, and more. The team has strong representation from top AI labs and trading firms. The open role is Head of Engineering, suggesting they need a senior leader to scale.
- **Impact**: You'd be building the infrastructure for a new category of "owned AI agents" and state-of-the-art video generation—working on cutting-edge generative AI.

## Sources
1. [pika.art](https://pika.art/) – Official website
2. [pika.art/careers](https://pika.art/careers) – Careers page
3. [LinkedIn (Pika Labs)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pika-labs) – Company data, headcount, funding, talent
4. [Craft.co](https://craft.co/pika-art) – Company summary, locations, sectors
5. [Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/pl/app/pika-ai-self-agent/id6758411447) – Pika Agent app details

## Other roles at Pika

- [Forward Deployed Engineer, Applied AI](https://feeny.ai/job/forward-deployed-engineer-applied-ai-pika-palo-alto-xzd7dyv18dk2) — Palo Alto, CA
- [Applied AI Engineer, Creative Experiences](https://feeny.ai/job/applied-ai-engineer-creative-experiences-pika-palo-alto-1sveavaqdjy0) — Palo Alto, CA
- [Creator and Influencer Partnerships Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/creator-and-influencer-partnerships-manager-pika-palo-alto-fcyyn6t3ebrn) — Palo Alto, CA
- [Product Designer (AI Native)](https://feeny.ai/job/product-designer-ai-native-pika-united-states-5jmsmgqqc59k) — United States
- [Data Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/data-engineer-pika-united-states-z74nah1052dn) — United States
- [Growth Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/growth-engineer-pika-united-states-ve2g8v53yde2) — United States
- [Head of Engineer, Product](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-engineer-product-pika-united-states-nze1qewm24g3) — United States
- [Principal Software Engineer, Product](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-software-engineer-product-pika-united-states-5mj1z1a3yqdf) — United States
- [Senior/Staff Software Engineer, Product](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-staff-software-engineer-product-pika-united-states-0m6ceye0wm3c) — United States
- [Head of Finance](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-finance-pika-palo-alto-amgp22pfthqa) — Palo Alto, CA