University Recruiter at Perplexity (San Francisco, CA)
Perplexity· San Francisco, CA· $165k–$200k·
Role details
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
Each year, Perplexity hires an exceptional cohort of early career talent to join our technical team. We’re looking for a University Recruiter to architect our early career programs and shape our strategy for attracting and evaluating the world’s most elite early-career talent.
This is a full-stack role where you’ll be responsible for all aspects of campus lifecycle recruiting: building relationships with external organizations, driving partnerships with internal stakeholders, and running full-cycle recruiting for all candidates. You’ll enjoy incredible latitude to design our programs and candidate experiences end-to-end, along with high-taste playbooks for how we bring the best and brightest to Perplexity.
What You’ll Do
- Own full-cycle recruiting process for all early career candidates from sourcing to closing.
- Partner closely with leaders at Perplexity on workforce planning, hiring strategy, and candidate evaluation.
- Build and scale a strategy that goes far beyond the usual playbooks. Explore creative, unconventional ways to build a talent brand and foster relationships that help uncover hidden superstar talent.
- Plan and execute campus programming including but not limited to technical talks, coding competitions and hackathons, on-campus interviews, and VIP events.
What You Bring
- 4+ years of full-cycle recruiting experience owning university, campus, intern or early-career hiring.
- Strong organizational mindset–this role is high volume and pressure, juggling multiple workstreams and candidates that you’ll have to manage.
- Willingness to travel up to 25%, concentrated during fall and spring recruiting seasons.
Nice to Have
- Existing relationships with top CS, ML and engineering programs, research labs or competitive programming communities (ICPC, USACO, etc.).
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.