Engineering Manager, Handshake AI at Handshake

San Francisco, California, United States

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$230,000 – $260,000Compensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

AI, TechnologyIndustries

Requirements

2–4+ years of experience in an engineering leadership role (team lead, tech lead, or manager), in addition to prior experience as a hands-on engineer
Strong technical background in full-stack development, particularly with ReactJS, TypeScript, and backend technologies like Node.js or Python
Experience leading teams building end-user products with a focus on quality, usability, and performance
Solid understanding of system architecture, relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL), and cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, GCP)
Proven track record of successfully shaping product direction and delivering results in a fast-paced environment
Excellent communication skills, with an ability to influence across technical and non-technical audiences

Responsibilities

Lead and grow a high-performing engineering team, fostering a culture of ownership, inclusion, and technical excellence
Partner with product and design teams to define roadmaps, scope projects, and deliver end-to-end solutions aligned with user needs
Drive technical architecture and decision-making, ensuring systems are scalable, maintainable, and performant
Mentor engineers across experience levels, supporting their growth through regular feedback, coaching, and development opportunities
Oversee day-to-day execution, ensuring high-quality code, effective reviews, and healthy team velocity

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Engineering ManagementScalable SystemsAI WorkflowsModel EvaluationProduct DevelopmentTechnical LeadershipData LabelingSoftware Engineering

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for the Engineering Manager position?

The salary range is $230K - $260K.

Is this role remote or in-office?

The role requires 5 days/week in-office in either San Francisco, CA or New York City, NY.

What experience is required for this Engineering Manager role?

Candidates need 2–4+ years of experience in an engineering leadership role (team lead, tech lead, or manager), plus prior hands-on engineering experience and a strong technical background.

What is the company culture like at Handshake AI?

The culture emphasizes ownership, inclusion, and technical excellence, with a world-class team from leading companies like Scale AI, Meta, and xAI, in a fast-growing environment shaping AI innovation.

What makes a strong candidate for this Engineering Manager role?

Strong candidates have 2–4+ years in engineering leadership plus hands-on experience, a strong technical background, and the ability to lead teams, drive technical architecture, mentor engineers, and collaborate with product and design stakeholders.

Handshake

Connects students with job opportunities

About Handshake

Handshake connects college students with job and internship opportunities through its platform. It serves over 15 million students, 1,500 universities, and 900,000 employers, focusing on early career recruitment. The platform allows universities to provide students access to job listings, career fairs, and recruitment events, while employers can post job openings and manage recruitment processes. Handshake's user-friendly interface helps students organize their job search and offers insights like company reviews. The company prioritizes data privacy and security, ensuring compliance with regulations like FERPA. Handshake aims to bridge the gap between students and employers, facilitating early career opportunities.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2014Year Founded

$422.2MTotal Funding

SERIES_FCompany Stage

Cybersecurity, EducationIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Engineering Manager, Handshake AI at Handshake

Requirements

Responsibilities

Skills

Questions & Answers

Handshake

About Handshake

Benefits

💰Equity and ownership in a fast-growing company.

🍼16 Weeks of paid parental leave

💝Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision

💻Handshake offers $500/£360 home office stipend

📚Generous learning & development opportunities and an annual $2,000/£1,500/2k€ stipend

🏦401k Match: Handshake offers a dollar-for-dollar match on 1% of deferred salary, up to a maximum of $1,200 per year.

🏝PTO

Risks

Emerging competitors like Fizz target Handshake's demographic with financial products.

Intuit's collaboration may draw students away from Handshake.

AI-driven skills demand may reduce engagement with Handshake.

Differentiation

Handshake connects over 15 million students with 900,000 employers.

The platform offers a user-friendly interface for job and internship applications.

Handshake ensures data privacy, complying with regulations like FERPA.

Upsides

Handshake's new social media-like interface boosts user engagement.

Growing student loan repayment benefits attract more employers to Handshake.

Demand for skills-based workforce aligns with Handshake's mission.

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