Idler
Special Projects Operator
4mo ago
140000 –250000 USD / yearUSAMiddlequality assuranceworkflow designproject management
Manage end-to-end execution of AI training programs involving expert contributors with responsibility for delivery quality, timelines, and performance.
Responsibilities
- Leading AI labs partner with Idler on high-stakes training programs that directly shape frontier models. As a Special Projects Operator, you will own end-to-end execution of these programs, from scoping to delivery.
- This is a hands-on, operations-first role. You will be accountable for delivery quality, timelines, and contributor performance, with direct line of sight to revenue. What You’ll Do
- Own execution of multi-million-dollar programs from scope through delivery.
- Orchestrate hundreds to thousands of expert contributors under aggressive timelines.
- Design and iterate on workflows, incentive systems, and quality controls to improve throughput, margins, and reliability.
- Run QA reviews, surface delivery risks early, and remove bottlenecks before they escalate.
- Track throughput, quality, cost, and timeliness, and translate performance into clear updates for leadership.
- Partner with senior stakeholders to align on scope, iterate quickly, and expand engagements through strong execution.
Other
- Idler builds reinforcement learning environments that encode real human expertise into frontier AI systems. We model the real workflows of serious professionals and hold ourselves to a high bar for quality.
- We’ve secured a landmark multimillion-dollar contract with a leading foundation lab and are expanding into new domains as we scale.
- We believe advanced AI should be trained on work that is rigorous, responsibly produced, and grounded in real expertise, and we are building toward that standard.
- You’ll do well in this role if you:
- Take high ownership and proactively fix what’s broken.
- Turn ambiguity into structured plans and measurable outcomes.
- Maintain a high bar for correctness and follow-through.
- Perform well in fast-moving environments with shifting constraints.
- Want responsibility tied directly to output and business impact.
- Common backgrounds include consulting, finance, high-growth startups, and product or operations roles with end-to-end accountability. Experience running large distributed teams or marketplaces is a plus.
- Special Projects Operators start by owning projects end-to-end. Top performers take on larger portfolios, manage other operators, and help launch new verticals.
- This role scales quickly for people who consistently deliver.
- Own programs that can generate tens of millions of dollars in revenue.
- Shape how frontier AI systems are trained through the work you deliver.
- Help expand Idler into new domains through execution.
- In-person in San Francisco
- Competitive salary + meaningful equity
- Free meals in office
- Healthcare, 401(k), PTO
- Relocation assistance
- Small, ambitious team
- This is an in-person role in San Francisco. We're a tight-knit founding team and we play to win. Join us if you like to win too.