Strategic Projects Lead

The future of AI — whether in training or evaluation, classical ML or agentic workflows — starts with high-quality data.

At HumanSignal, we’re building the platform that powers the creation, curation, and evaluation of that data. From fine-tuning foundation models to validating agent behaviors in production, our tools are used by leading AI teams to ensure models are grounded in real-world signal, not noise.

Our open-source product, Label Studio, has become the de facto standard for labeling and evaluating data across modalities — from text and images to time series and agents-in-environments. With over 250,000 users and hundreds of millions of labeled samples, it’s the most widely adopted OSS solution for teams working on building AI systems.

Label Studio Enterprise builds on that traction with the security, collaboration, and scalability features needed to support mission-critical AI pipelines — powering everything from model training datasets to eval test sets to continuous feedback loops.We started before foundation models were mainstream, and we’re doubling down now that AI is eating the world. If you're excited to help leading AI teams build smarter, more accurate systems — we’d love to talk.

Level: Individual Contributor Compensation: $750,000 – $110,000 Location: San Francisco, CA

About the Role

HumanSignal specializes in operationally complex, multimodal data collection and annotation — delivering the datasets that frontier AI research requires and remote workforce marketplaces can't. We own projects end-to-end, from scoping and protocol design through final delivery, running on-site and distributed expert workforces across 50+ knowledge domains, 30+ languages, and 75+ countries. Our work spans RLHF, evals, red-teaming, and custom multimodal data creation, all powered by Label Studio Enterprise and built on a foundation of rigorous quality workflows, ethical sourcing, and full data security. This role sits at the operational core of that delivery engine — responsible for ensuring our clients get the highest-quality data on time, every time.

This role is not for everyone. HumanSignal Services operates at the intersection of frontier AI research and large-scale human data delivery — and the work is fast, demanding, and unforgiving of dropped balls. You'll own complex, high-stakes data programs end-to-end, managing expert workforces, navigating shifting customer requirements, and holding quality and delivery timelines simultaneously. There is no playbook handed to you. You will build it, break it, and rebuild it better. If you thrive under pressure, take personal pride in operational excellence, and don't quit when a project gets hard — this is the role for you

What You'll Do

The day-to-day is intense by design. You'll juggle multiple programs at once, each with its own contributors, quality standards, and customer expectations. You'll make hard calls with incomplete information, hold contributors and vendors accountable, and find creative solutions to problems that don't have obvious answers. The expectation is simple: own the outcome, no excuses. High performers here grow faster than anywhere else in the industry. The bar is high — and that's the point.

What You'll Do

Own end-to-end execution of multi-million-dollar AI data programs, directly accountable for data quality, throughput, margins, and customer satisfaction

Design and manage data pipelines from customer specifications through final delivery, including taxonomy design, quality frameworks, and incentive structures

Manage and performance-manage 1,000+ distributed contributors — sourcing, vetting, training, and coaching domain experts at scale

Serve as the primary client contact for AI lab researchers: deliver consistent reporting, anticipate needs, and identify opportunities for program expansion

Run daily internal war rooms to stay ahead of quality issues, bottlenecks, and delivery risks

Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Product, and Growth to build and improve operational infrastructure

Deploy AI automations and data-driven tools to improve output quality and pipeline efficiency

Required Qualifications

2–4+ years in consulting, finance, startups, or operationally intensive roles

Strong analytical skills; proficiency in SQL or Python preferred

Track record managing complex, cross-functional projects with measurable outcomes

Entrepreneurial mindset; comfortable building from scratch in ambiguous environments

Exceptional communication skills and client-facing presence

Preferred Qualifications

Technical or STEM degree (CS, Data Science, Engineering, or related field)

Experience managing distributed workforces or marketplace operations

Exposure to AI data, RLHF, or model evaluation workflows

Background in investment banking, private equity, or management consulting