Research Lead (Coding QA)

About Turing

Based in Palo Alto, California, Turing is one of the world's fastest-growing AI companies accelerating the advancement and deployment of powerful AI systems. Turing helps customers in two ways: working with the world’s leading AI labs to advance frontier model capabilities in thinking, reasoning, coding, agentic behavior, multimodality, multilingualism, STEM and frontier knowledge; and leveraging that expertise to build real-world AI systems that solve mission-critical priorities for Fortune 500 companies and government institutions. Turing has received numerous awards, including Forbes's "One of America's Best Startup Employers," #1 on The Information's annual list of "Most Promising B2B Companies," and Fast Company's annual list of the "World's Most Innovative Companies." Turing's leadership team includes AI technologists from industry giants Meta, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Twitter, McKinsey, Bain, Stanford, Caltech, and MIT. For more information on Turing, visit www.turing.com. For information on upcoming Turing AGI Icons events, visit go.turing.com/agi-icons.

Position Overview:

As a Research Lead you will lead the end-to-end execution of LLM training projects involving Supervised Fine-Tuning (SFT), Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF), and Reinforcement Learning from Execution Feedback (RLEF). You will lead a cross-functional team of AI Trainers, Leads, and Engineering Managers to ensure the delivery of high-quality data and model improvements.

You will serve as the senior-most researcher accountable for strategic client alignment, throughput, quality, and operational efficiency across multiple programming languages (Python, JavaScript, Java, etc.). A key aspect of this role includes leading our most important code workstream, while also providing support, and calibration guidance to other code teams.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• US-based (West Coast preferred)
• An exceptional communicator with experience working in large technical organizations.
• Brings a deep understanding of how LLM researchers think and operate—enabling you to convert their often ambiguous instructions into structured, actionable workflows that drive high-quality data delivery.
• Brings technical fluency and operational leadership, enabling you to lead delivery in AI/LLM training projects without needing to code.
• Take initiative to unblock teams, address quality issues, and streamline workflows.
• Client-obsessed, with strong stakeholder instincts, the ability to proactively manage expectations, risks, and feedback loops.
• Have a continuous improvement mindset, always looking for ways to evolve team structure, workflows, tooling, and delivery KPIs.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Client Engagement & Operational Oversight

• Act as the strategic point of contact for clients - gathering requirements, aligning on quality expectations, and managing quality feedback loops.
• Proactively flag risks and drive resolution to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality delivery.
• Work closely with LLM researchers to deeply understand their thinking styles and objectives.
• Translate ambiguous or loosely defined research goals into clear, executable tasks for technical teams.
• Proactively flag risks and drive resolution to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality delivery.

2. Quality Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure clarity, accuracy, and completeness in outputs: code, responses, explanations, and evaluations.
• Work closely with team leads and Client Researchers to implement quality review loops and resolve systemic quality gaps.
• Identify inefficiencies and continuously optimize workflows and operational structure.
• Ensure all output meets the highest standards expected by AI researchers and clients.
• Ensure technical soundness, review compliance, and strategic alignment across delivery streams.

Required Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience as a Researcher or similar role within a technical or data-driven environment at a large company
• PhD or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field​
• Experience working closely with LLM researchers and familiarity with how they think, communicate, structure projects, and measure success
• Demonstrated success in translating ambiguous or high-level research directions into actionable plans for engineering and delivery teams.
• Proven ability to translate research ambiguity into clear tactical execution plans
• Strong background leading technical delivery efforts and code-heavy teams
• Effective communicator, both in async and live settings, across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Working knowledge of Python and/or JavaScript to effectively engage with Engineering Managers and assess code-level output quality.
• Exceptional communication and documentation skills - comfortable leading async and live updates across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong decision-making, prioritization, and conflict-resolution abilities in dynamic, high-stakes environments.

Preferred/Bonus Qualifications:

• Background in Machine Learning or Data Science is a plus.
• Familiarity with LLM concepts, training cycles, or evaluation methods (e.g., RLHF, SFT, RAG).
• Hands-on experience with LLM APIs (GPT, Gemini, Claude, etc.) and RAG workflows.

Advantages of joining Turing:

• Amazing work culture (Super collaborative & supportive work environment; 5 days a week)
• Awesome colleagues (Surround yourself with top talent from Meta, Google, LinkedIn etc. as well as people with deep startup experience)
• Competitive compensation
• Flexible working hours
• Full-time remote opportunity

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Turing is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. At Turing we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace and celebrate authenticity, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

For applicants from the European Union, please review Turing's GDPR notice here.