AI and ML hires for VC-backed startups

AI engineers who
ship to production.

Applied AI, ML, LLM and forward deployed engineers, and the leaders who run AI teams. For VC-backed startups from New York to San Francisco and Austin.

Book a 15-min callSee AI placements
What we hire

The AI hires that move your product.

Engineers who have shipped models and agents to real users. Not people who have only read about them.

Applied AIApplied AI engineersBuild AI into the product, from retrieval to evaluation.
ModelsML engineersTrain, tune and serve models that hold up in production.
LLMsLLM and agent engineersDesign agents, tools and guardrails that work for real users.
CustomersForward deployed engineersShip AI side by side with customers and turn their problems into product.
PlatformAI infrastructureInference, data pipelines and platforms that keep models fast and affordable.
LeadershipAI leadersFounding AI leads, heads of AI and CTOs who can still build.
How we assess

We can tell a builder from a buzzword.

  1. 01Track record
    Shipped, not studiedWe look for AI that reached real users. Demos and courses don't count.
  2. 02Depth
    Real technical depthWe build with AI every day, so we can follow the detail of their work.
  3. 03Judgement
    Product judgementKnowing when not to use a model matters as much as knowing how.
  4. 04Week 1
    Your shortlist3 to 5 engineers who fit, each with our honest notes.
Results

AI hires that delivered.

Seed · Fintech AI · $5M+ raisedFounding technical lead
35 dayskickoff to signed offer, with 5 builders shortlisted
AI agentlive in just over a month
Codebasetaken over without a hitch
Hands-ona builder, not an executive
Read the full story
The approachReframed the brief from an executive CTO to a hands-on AI builder.Went first to a CTO we knew from a past search, whose last product mirrored the brief.Delayed our fee until he was in the seat, to protect the founder through the handover.
Two months laterTook over the entire codebase without a hitch.Built and launched the company’s AI agent in just over a month.Now the product the founder takes to every client.

Recent AI placements

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Hiring now

AI roles we're working on.

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Questions

Hiring AI engineers, answered.

How long does it take to hire an AI engineer?

Most searches reach a shortlist within a week. A signed offer usually takes 3 to 4 weeks, depending on how quickly your interview process runs.

What's the difference between an applied AI engineer and an ML engineer?

An applied AI engineer builds product features on top of models, often using LLMs. An ML engineer trains, tunes and serves the models themselves. Many startups need the first before the second. We'll help you work out which you need on our first call.

Do you hire forward deployed engineers?

Yes. Forward deployed engineers ship AI directly with customers. They need strong engineering and strong client skills, and many roles include travel. We screen for both.

Do you hire AI leaders as well as engineers?

Yes. Founding AI leads, heads of AI and CTOs, for startups from seed to later stage.

Where do you hire?

Mainly New York, San Francisco, Austin and Boston, plus remote roles across the US. On-site, hybrid or remote.

Matt Geppert, founder of Open Select
Matt GeppertFounder, since 2011
Why Open Select exists

Most recruiters optimize for speed. I optimize for the hire you're still happy with two years later.

I've recruited engineers for startups since 2011. By the end of our first call I usually already have people in mind, because I've spent years talking to engineers long before your role existed.

  • 01You deal with me. No account managers. No handoffs.
  • 02Straight answers. On candidates, comp and your process, even when it's not what you want to hear.
  • 03I build with AI every day. When an engineer explains their work, I can follow it.
Email MattLinkedIn

Let's build your team.

Pick a time that suits you. A 15-minute call, a search strategy memo, and a decision in 48 hours.

Prefer email? hello@osrecruit.com
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