Full-Time
AI Infrastructure Engineer
Model Serving Platform
Scale AI
5,001-10,000 employees
AI data platform for generative models
Compensation Overview
$180k - $225k/yr
San Francisco, CA, USA + 1 more
More locations: New York, NY, USA
In Person
 DevOps & Infrastructure |
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- 4+ years of experience building large-scale, high-performance backend systems.
- Strong programming skills in one or more languages (e.g., Python, Go, Rust, C++).
- Experience with LLM serving and routing fundamentals (e.g. rate limiting, token streaming, load balancing, budgets, etc.).
- Experience with LLM capabilities and concepts such as reasoning, tool calling, prompt templates, etc.
- Experience with containers and orchestration tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
- Familiarity with cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP) and infrastructure as code (e.g., Terraform).
- Proven ability to solve complex problems and work independently in fast-moving environments.
- Build and maintain fault-tolerant, high-performance systems for serving LLMs workloads at scale.
- Build an internal platform to empower LLM capability discovery.
- Collaborate with researchers and engineers to integrate and optimize models for production and research use cases.
- Conduct architecture and design reviews to uphold best practices in system design and scalability.
- Develop monitoring and observability solutions to ensure system health and performance.
- Lead projects end-to-end, from requirements gathering to implementation, in a cross-functional environment.
- Experience with modern LLM serving frameworks such as vLLM, SGLang, TensorRT-LLM, or text-generation-inference.
Scale AI provides a platform for accelerating AI development by helping organizations harness their data to customize powerful generative models. The Scale Generative AI Platform offers data collection, curation, and annotation tools, plus evaluation and optimization features to improve model performance. It serves a wide range of customers from technology giants (Microsoft, Meta) and enterprises (Fox, Accenture) to other AI companies (OpenAI, Cohere), government agencies (U.S. Army, Air Force), and startups (Brex, OpenSea). Revenue comes from subscriptions and services tied to the platform and tooling, aimed at enhancing the performance and safety of leading large language models and generative models.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
$1.6B
Headquarters
San Francisco, California
Founded
2016
Get referred to Scale AI
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Pentagon CDAO raised Scale's contract to $500 million in May 2026.
- Dell and Scale signed a Qatar AI infrastructure deal on July 21, 2026.
- BP and Mayo Clinic expanded Scale's enterprise credibility in July 2026.
What critics are saying
- Meta's 49% stake makes rival labs distrust Scale's neutrality immediately.
- Scale settled a $12.5 million California misclassification case on August 4, 2026.
- The DoD lawsuit over a lost $708 million NGA bid threatens future federal work.
What makes Scale AI unique
- Scale controls frontier-model data pipelines for OpenAI, Meta, and governments.
- Francis deSouza brings Google Cloud security discipline to enterprise and federal AI sales.
- Donovan and GenAI bundle labeling, evaluation, deployment, and procurement access.
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Benefits
Health, Dental & Vision Coverage - Our health plans give you the flexibility to select the right coverage for you and eligible family members through a variety of plan options.
Easy to use 401(K) - Plan and invest for the future with a 401(k) via Guideline. Scale’s 401(k) plan provides you an opportunity to defer compensation for your long-term savings.
Wellness Fund - We care about the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of all Scaliens. Our $100/month wellness stipend can be used for gym memberships, acupuncture, meditation apps, and so much more.
Virtual Social Activities - Being remote has not stopped us from hosting fun virtual events. From trivia night to candle making, we ensure employees are fostering connections & building strong relationships.
Learning & Development - We know how important career growth is for Scaliens, so we offer a $500/year L&D stipend to help support continued development throughout your journey.
Flexible hours allow you to work when you are most productive. You can work with your manager to best plan your daily work schedule.
Generous Paid Time Off - Enjoy time to travel or plan a staycation. We encourage employees to take time off to recharge and prevent burnout. We have a flexible PTO policy where each employee is afforded the flexibility to take planned time-off as needed.
Commuter Benefits - Set aside pre-tax dollars to use on qualified transportation expenses to help ease your commute.
Parental Leave - Balancing work and family is essential, and Scale understands the importance of having adequate leave policies in place to promote a healthy home and work life.
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 0%1 year growth
↓ -1%2 year growth
↓ -1%Micro1 hits $500M run rate as AI training data demand soars. Tl;dr. * AI data startup Micro1 has hit a $500 million gross revenue run rate, a massive surge fueled by enterprise demand for high-quality human-generated data to train frontier AI models. * The company's growth has been driven by its AI-powered recruitment and vetting engine and its global network of expert annotators, allowing it to scale faster and cheaper than traditional data labeling rivals. * The milestone puts Micro1 in direct competition with incumbents like Scale AI and Surge AI, signaling a major shift in the AI data market as model builders prioritize reasoning, expertise, and human feedback over raw data volume. From gig workers to domain experts: what's fueling Micro1's rocket ship growth. Micro1 has officially joined the AI infrastructure elite. The startup announced this week it has surpassed a $500 million gross run rate, cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing players in the booming AI training data economy. The figure represents gross revenue annualized from recent months, and marks a staggering acceleration for the Los Angeles-based company. Founded in 2021 by Ali Ansari as an AI-powered technical recruiting platform, Micro1 has pivoted and scaled aggressively into the AI data layer over the past two years. The company says its revenue has grown more than 10x year-over-year, driven almost entirely by demand for premium training data. That demand is coming from every corner of the AI landscape. As frontier labs like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta race to build more capable reasoning models, the bottleneck is no longer just compute - it's data. Models now require vast amounts of expert-level human feedback, including complex Q&A, code generation, multilingual reasoning, and reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) to improve accuracy and reduce hallucinations. Off-the-shelf scraped internet data is no longer enough. Micro1's core advantage is how it sources that expertise. Unlike legacy platforms that relied on large, generalist crowdsourcing pools, Micro1 built an AI-driven engine to recruit, vet, and manage highly skilled annotators. Its platform uses AI to interview and test candidates for domain expertise in areas like software engineering, mathematics, law, medicine, and finance, creating a curated global workforce of tens of thousands of specialists. The company claims this approach delivers higher-quality data at a lower cost and with faster turnaround than traditional methods. How Micro1 stacks up against scale, surge and the data labeling giants. The $500 million run rate milestone puts Micro1 in rarefied air and directly challenges the long-time leader of the space. For years, Scale AI has dominated the AI data market, recently valued at nearly $14 billion and reporting over $1 billion in annualized revenue. Following Scale's massive investment deal with Meta, a wave of competitors has rushed to capture market share as AI labs diversify their data vendors. Micro1 is now firmly in that top tier alongside rivals like Surge AI (formerly Scale AI's biggest challenger), Labelbox, Appen, and Toloka. While Scale and Surge have focused on building large managed workforces and enterprise platforms for RLHF and data curation, Micro1 has differentiated itself with automation and efficiency. Industry analysts note that Micro1's model is asset-light and highly automated, allowing it to operate with significantly higher margins. Where competitors might take weeks to assemble a team of PhD-level mathematicians or senior software developers, Micro1 says its AI recruiter can identify and onboard vetted experts in hours. That speed has made it particularly attractive to AI labs operating on tight post-training iteration cycles, where fresh, high-quality datasets are needed constantly to patch model weaknesses. The company also benefits from its hybrid origin. Its roots in AI recruiting gave it a head start in talent sourcing technology, which it has now fully applied to the data labeling problem. Clients reportedly include several of the top foundation model companies, though Micro1 remains discreet about naming specific labs due to NDAs. What a half-billion-dollar run rate means for the future of AI. Micro1's ascent is more than just a startup success story - it's a signal of where the entire AI industry is headed. The economics of AI development are shifting. In the early ChatGPT era, scale was about scraping more web data and adding more GPUs. Today, the frontier is defined by data quality, not quantity. The next generation of models - from reasoning agents to AI coders and scientific assistants - requires data that demonstrates human-like thought processes. That means step-by-step solutions, nuanced judgments, and expert corrections that only qualified humans can provide. This "human data flywheel" has become one of the most valuable and expensive parts of the AI stack. A $500 million run rate for a company that barely existed in the data space two years ago underscores just how much money is pouring into this layer. Venture funding for AI data startups has surged in 2025 and 2026, and enterprise spending on data for fine-tuning and evaluation is expected to exceed $20 billion by 2027. For Micro1, the challenge now will be sustaining growth while maintaining quality at scale. As models get smarter, the bar for human annotators gets higher, pushing demand from generalists to true subject-matter experts who command premium rates. The company will also need to navigate increasing competition and scrutiny over labor practices, data ethics, and the use of AI-generated synthetic data as a cheaper alternative. Still, hitting the $500 million mark proves that in the age of generative AI, the most valuable resource may not be the model itself, but the humans teaching it how to think. AndroGuider Team Articles written by the AndroGuider team. Androguider try to make them thorough and informational while being easy to read.
Scale AI has appointed Francis deSouza as CEO, effective August 10, 2026. DeSouza previously led Google Cloud's security division and served as COO. The appointment signals Scale AI's strategic shift towards government and enterprise contracts, moving beyond its origins providing labelled data to AI labs like OpenAI and Meta. The company now works with clients including BP, Mayo Clinic, and various governments. DeSouza brings extensive security experience, having founded instant-messaging security firm IMlogic, which Symantec acquired in 2006. He also co-founded Flash Communications, purchased by Microsoft in 1998. His previous CEO role at Illumina saw revenue grow to over $4.5 billion but ended following a proxy battle with activist investor Carl Icahn over an $8 billion acquisition. The appointment comes after founder Alexandr Wang joined Meta as part of a $14.3 billion deal giving Meta a 49% stake in Scale AI.
Meta AI head shares message for Google Cloud head, who announced he is joining ScaleAI; the company Alexandr Wang founded, but left to head Mark Zuckerberg's AI division. TOI Tech Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jul 31, 2026, 09:51 IST Meta AI head Scale AI has appointed Francis deSouza, Google Cloud's chief operating officer, as its new CEO. He replaces interim chief executive Jason Droege, who had led the company since founder Alexandr Wang departed in 2025 to join Meta after its $14.3 billion investment in the startup. Meta AI head Alexandr Wang congratulated deSouza on joining ScaleAI. According to a report by Axios, this new hire signals Scale's ambition to position itself as an enterprise AI company rather than a data management firm. DeSouza, who also served as president of Google Cloud's security products business, said he was drawn to Scale because enterprises need help turning AI hype into measurable business results. "Organizations understand the value and the potential of AI, but they want help realizing that potential and deploying AI responsibly and reliably," he told Axios. Meta AI head Alexandr Wang's message to Google Cloud head. Following the announcement, Meta AI head Wang shared a message of support for deSouza on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Wang wrote, "Welcome @fdesouza to @scale_AI as CEO! I started Scale a decade ago at 19, and it has grown to be the backbone of the AI world, powering frontier labs, Fortune 500 companies, and the US Government. Francis is an exceptional leader and the right steward. After spending a lot of time together, I have no doubts he'll take Scale to greater heights. Thank you @jdroege for your leadership as interim CEO." The exchange highlighted the close ties between Scale and Meta, given Wang's transition to lead Mark Zuckerberg's AI division last year. What Francis deSouza said on joining ScaleAI. deSouza also shared a post on X about joining ScaleAI as the CEO. "Big News: I'm joining @scale_AI as CEO, starting August 10. Scale sits at a rare intersection, working with the top AI labs to push the frontier while helping enterprises and governments actually deploy AI they can verify and trust. I'm excited to lead a company with a mission to develop reliable AI systems for the most important decisions. More to come," wrote deSouza. Who is Francis deSouza. Francis deSouza is a seasoned technology executive who has held leadership roles across cloud computing, cybersecurity, and genomics. Most recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer and President of Security Products at Google Cloud, where he focused on enterprise adoption of AI and cloud services. Before that, he was President and CEO of Illumina, the genomics company, overseeing its global expansion and revenue growth. Earlier in his career, deSouza held senior positions at Symantec and also founded two startups that were acquired by Microsoft and Symantec. He studied computer science and electrical engineering at MIT, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees. Now, as CEO of Scale AI, he is tasked with steering the company's transition from a data-labeling provider to a broader enterprise AI applications firm. ScaleAI's expansion. The Axios report further highlighted, that Scale AI, originally known for providing data and human evaluations to train leading AI models, has expanded into building AI applications for enterprises and governments, including the U.S. Department of Defense. The company said its applications business is on track to overtake its data business within 18 months. DeSouza emphasized that demand for data labeling, application deployment, and AI infrastructure management will continue to grow as companies uncover new use cases. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity. End of Article
Scale AI appoints Francis deSouza as Chief Executive Officer. Scale AI has appointed Francis deSouza as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), marking a significant leadership move as the company continues to expand its role in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence ecosystem. deSouza brings decades of leadership experience across enterprise software, cloud computing, and AI-driven technologies. He is widely recognized for leading global technology organizations through periods of innovation and growth, with a strong background in scaling enterprise businesses, driving product innovation, and building strategic partnerships. His appointment comes at a time when demand for high-quality AI infrastructure, data services, and enterprise AI solutions continues to accelerate. As CEO, deSouza will oversee Scale AI's strategic direction, product innovation, and global business operations. His leadership is expected to support the company's efforts to meet growing enterprise demand for AI development, data annotation, model evaluation, and AI deployment solutions across industries. The appointment reflects broader changes taking place across the AI sector. As organizations move from AI experimentation to large-scale deployment, companies providing AI infrastructure and model development services are investing in experienced executives capable of navigating rapid technological change, enterprise adoption, and increasing regulatory expectations. The AI market has also become more competitive, with enterprises seeking trusted partners that can help develop, evaluate, and operationalize generative AI applications responsibly and at scale. Leadership with deep experience in enterprise technology and innovation is increasingly viewed as a competitive advantage for organizations operating in this space. Francis deSouza's appointment underscores the growing maturity of the AI industry, where executive leadership is becoming as critical as technological innovation. As AI adoption expands across sectors, experienced leaders will play a key role in guiding organizations through the next phase of enterprise AI growth, governance, and commercialization. MarTech360 Bureau
Scale AI taps former Google Cloud executive as CEO. Friday, 31 Jul 2026 | 12:00 AM MYT July 30 - Scale AI said on Thursday it had named former Google Cloud executive Francis DeSouza as chief executive officer, effective August 10, as the AI company looks to expand its data and applications businesses. DeSouza will succeed Jason Droege, who has served as interim CEO since June last year. Droege will work with deSouza in the coming months to support the transition, Scale said. Founded by Alexandr Wang, Scale provides data that powers frontier AI models and develops AI applications for businesses and governments. Last year, Wang joined Meta Platforms as its chief AI officer. Here are some details: - DeSouza has more than 30 years of experience in enterprise technology and most recently served as chief operating officer and president of security products at Google Cloud. - Before joining Google Cloud, DeSouza was president and CEO of Illumina, a genomic data and sequencing company. - Scale said that under DeSouza, Illumina's revenue grew to more than $4.5 billion and the company expanded into more than 150 countries. - Earlier in his career, he was president of products and services at cybersecurity company Symantec. He also founded two companies that were later acquired by Microsoft and Symantec. - DeSouza holds bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. - Scale said it recently added BP and Mayo Clinic as enterprise customers and expanded its work with U.S. and international governments. (Reporting by Prathik Jayaprakash in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid) Is this article useful?