About Handshake AI

Handshake is building the career network for the AI economy. Our three-sided marketplace connects 18 million students and alumni, 1,500+ academic institutions across the U.S. and Europe, and 1 million employers to power how the next generation explores careers, builds skills, and gets hired.

Handshake AI is a human data labeling business that leverages the scale of the largest early career network.We work directly with the world’s leading AI research labs to build a new generation of human data products. From PhDs in physics to undergrads fluent in LLMs, Handshake AI is the trusted partner for domain-specific data and evaluation at scale.

This is a unique opportunity to join a fast-growing team shaping the future of AI through better data, better tools, and better systems—for experts, by experts.

Now’s a great time to join Handshake. Here’s why:

• Leading the AI Career Revolution: Be part of the team redefining work in the AI economy for millions worldwide.
• Proven Market Demand: Deep employer partnerships across Fortune 500s and the world’s leading AI research labs.
• World-Class Team: Leadership from Scale AI, Meta, xAI, Notion, Coinbase, and Palantir, just to name a few.
• Capitalized & Scaling: $3.5B valuation from top investors including Kleiner Perkins, True Ventures, Notable Capital, and more.

About the Role

As a Fullstack Engineer on the Payments team, you’ll be responsible for architecting and scaling the systems that make it possible for thousands of independent contributors to get paid accurately, quickly, and globally. This includes everything from KYC onboarding and compliance to real-time payout tracking and tax reporting. You’ll help build the financial backbone of a new class of data labor infrastructure.

• Design and build robust, scalable systems that power contractor and expert payouts end-to-end.
• Own core functionality across the stack (e.g., React, TypeScript, Node.js, Postgres) in areas such as identity verification, compliance, disbursements, and tax workflows.
• Collaborate with product, design, and operations teams to deliver features that are both technically sound and deeply user-centric.
• Drive technical strategy for payments infrastructure and lead multi-engineer projects from idea to production.
• Help define engineering standards and mentor teammates to uphold best practices and operational excellence.
• Contribute to the long-term vision for how we compensate experts with transparency, reliability, and speed.

Desired Capabilities

• 2-5 years of software engineering experience, including backend and frontend development.
• Deep experience working on financial or payment-related systems, especially involving payouts to contractors, freelancers, or non-employees.
• Proficient in technologies like ReactJS, TypeScript, Node.js, and PostgreSQL.
• Experience working with or integrating third-party systems for KYC, AML, 1099 reporting, and international payments.
• Thrive in a high-velocity, collaborative environment and are comfortable working on-site full-time.

Extra Credit

• Experience building payouts or treasury systems at scale.
• Worked with compliance frameworks for multi-region contractor payments.
• Background in creator, freelance, or platform-based economy products.

Perks

Handshake delivers benefits that help you feel supported—and thrive at work and in life.

The below benefits are for full-time US employees.

🎯 Ownership: Equity in a fast-growing company

💰 Financial Wellness: 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching

🍼 Family Support: Paid parental leave, fertility benefits, parental coaching

💝 Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision, mental health support, $500 wellness stipend

📚 Growth: $2,000 learning stipend, ongoing development

💻 Remote & Office: Stipends for home office setup, internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office

🏝 Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days, winter #ShakeBreak where our whole office closes for a week!

🤝 Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses

Explore our mission, values, and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.