Perplexity

Technical Sourcer, AI at Perplexity (San Francisco, CA)

Perplexity· San Francisco, CA· $150k–$185k·

Role details

Salary
$150k–$185k
Employment
Full-Time
Equity
Yes

Perplexity at a glance

AI-powered answer engine that returns real-time, cited answers, now expanding into an agentic browser and on-device agents.

Perplexity runs an AI answer engine that searches the live web and returns direct, cited answers instead of a page of links. It has extended that core into an AI browser (Comet), an on-device agent (Computer), a developer API, and vertical tools like patent search.

$1.7B raised · latest: Series E extension · $200M · 2025 (reported $20B valuation) · backed by Accel, IVP, NEA, SoftBank Vision Fund 2

Job description

At Perplexity, we are building products that push the boundaries of how people find, reason, and learn information. The scale and speed of our mission demand a team that thrives in environments of rapid iteration and constant discovery. As a Technical Sourcer, you will be at the forefront of shaping the talent foundation that fuels our growth.

The role of a Sourcer has changed in the world of recruiting and AI today–we’re looking for someone who has strong foundations in sourcing but is already ahead of the curve in redefining this function.

  • Grit: You know your pipelines inside & out. You understand where you need to build momentum and how much horsepower to put behind it.
  • Taste: You have a deep understanding of the tech landscape–knowing which companies hold high talent bars to what’s going to be the “next big thing” in the industry (before anyone else sees it coming).
  • Experiment: Every role and search is different, and your approach isn’t a one-size-fits-all. One role you might be running SOBOs, another you’ll dive deep into authors of published papers from top conferences.

What You'll Do

  • Research, identify, and engage engineering and technical talent across multiple disciplines and experience levels
  • Use a wide range of sourcing strategies, including advanced research, talent mapping, referrals, AI-assisted automation, and creative outreach, to build strong candidate pipelines.
  • Collaborate with recruiters and hiring teams to deeply understand technical requirements and calibrate profiles with accuracy and nuance
  • Track and analyze pipeline data to drive continuous optimization and improvements in sourcing approaches
  • Operate with agility, adapting quickly to shifting priorities, hard-to-fill roles, and changing team needs

What You Bring

  • Exceptional technical literacy, comfortable navigating complex technical conversations, parsing nuanced skill sets, and understanding the architecture of software and AI roles
  • Proven experience sourcing talent in highly dynamic and fast-paced environments where priorities shift and ambiguity is constant
  • A builder's instinct for AI: eager to adopt new tools, automate your own workflow, and experiment with how AI can make sourcing faster and sharper
  • Creativity and resilience: the ability to design novel sourcing strategies, test new methods, and adapt quickly when faced with challenges
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build trust and develop relationships with both candidates and internal partner teams
  • A mindset that thrives on curiosity, iteration, and impact, aligned with Perplexity AI's ethos of building what has never been built before

Why work at Perplexity

  • 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.

Application questions