AI Architect Jobs in San Francisco, CA
AI Architect jobs in San Francisco are concentrated in SoMa, Mission Bay, and the Financial District, with strong demand across enterprise AI, cloud infrastructure, and generative AI platforms. Employers hiring right now include Pinterest, DoorDash, and Genentech. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 175+ AI Architect jobs
About Checkr
Checkr is building the data platform to power safe and fair decisions. Over 140,000 companies and millions of people rely on Checkr for AI verification in the moments that matter most: getting a new job, a new place to live, a car ride, childcare, even a date. Customers include Uber, Pennymac, Airbnb, Doordash, Amazon, and Anthropic.
We're a team that thrives on solving complex problems with innovative solutions that advance our mission. Checkr is recognized on Forbes Cloud 100 2025 List and is a Y Combinator 2024 Breakthrough Company.
About the team/role
Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Staff AI Operations Architect will own key business strategy and outcomes for Checkr's Product & Quality Operations function — sitting at the intersection of human expertise and AI-assisted decision-making to ensure the accuracy of background check reports at scale. In 2026, we're deploying a strategy to radically transform how that work gets done: this role will lead the operational programs to prove the model works, build the frameworks that make it scalable, and drive the feedback loop that makes the system smarter over time. You'll partner closely with Analytics, ML/AI, and Product teams as Checkr advances how AI and human expertise work together and this role is central to making that vision operational.
What you'll do
- Architect and lead the shift from transactional to system-level resolutions, defining how risk drives routing and where human judgment is applied
- Set accuracy thresholds and make judgment calls on speed and cost trade-offs; establish compliance guardrails and operational controls
- Design and operate the human-in-the-loop framework that connects expert review to AI model improvement, defining the feedback architecture so every expert decision generates signal that makes automated detection smarter over time
- Partner with Analytics, ML/AI, and Product teams as the operational voice in a cross-functional build
- Architect repeatable frameworks that transform one-time solutions into systematic capabilities
What you bring
- 8+ years of experience in operations or business operations with a track record of designing and delivering systems that scale
- Demonstrated ability to execute roadmaps while building the operational infrastructure underneath them
- Experience in human-in-the-loop or AI-assisted operations, ideally in a regulated industry (background screening, fintech, healthtech, compliance)
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to make architectural decisions, including quality thresholds, routing logic, capacity tradeoffs - not just optimize existing processes
- Cross-functional instincts: you've partnered closely with technical teams and can translate between operational reality and system design
- An A-player mindset with a strong bias for action: you raise the bar, move with urgency, stay resilient through ambiguity, and take ownership to deliver meaningful outcomes
What We Offer
- A fast-paced and collaborative environment
- Learning and development allowance
- Competitive cash and equity compensation, and opportunity for advancement
- 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Up to $25K reimbursement for fertility, adoption, and parental planning services
- Flexible PTO policy
- Monthly wellness stipend
At Checkr, we believe an in office work environment strengthens collaboration, drives innovation, and encourages connection. Our hub locations are Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; Nashville, TN; and Santiago, Chile. Individuals are expected to work from the office 3+ days a week. In-office perks are provided, such as lunch five times a week, a commuter stipend, and an abundance of snacks and beverages. A relocation stipend may be available for those willing to relocate to a Checkr hub location.
Equal Employment Opportunities at Checkr
Checkr is committed to building the best product and company, which requires hiring talented and qualified individuals with a diverse set of perspectives and lived experiences. Checkr believes in hiring people of all backgrounds, including those whose histories are impacted by the justice system in accordance with local, state, and/or federal laws, including the San Francisco's Fair Chance Ordinance.
Applicant Privacy Policy
If you are a California resident or are located in Alberta or British Columbia, our Applicant Privacy Policy applies to our collection and processing of your personal information when you apply for a role with us or otherwise participate in our recruitment process.
- Legitimate Checkr emails will always include our official domain name after the @ symbol (e.g., name@checkr.com or name@ext.checkr.com).
About Checkr
Checkr is building the data platform to power safe and fair decisions. Over 140,000 companies and millions of people rely on Checkr for AI verification in the moments that matter most: getting a new job, a new place to live, a car ride, childcare, even a date. Customers include Uber, Pennymac, Airbnb, Doordash, Amazon, and Anthropic.
We're a team that thrives on solving complex problems with innovative solutions that advance our mission. Checkr is recognized on Forbes Cloud 100 2025 List and is a Y Combinator 2024 Breakthrough Company.
About the team/role
Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Staff AI Operations Architect will own key business strategy and outcomes for Checkr's Product & Quality Operations function — sitting at the intersection of human expertise and AI-assisted decision-making to ensure the accuracy of background check reports at scale. In 2026, we're deploying a strategy to radically transform how that work gets done: this role will lead the operational programs to prove the model works, build the frameworks that make it scalable, and drive the feedback loop that makes the system smarter over time. You'll partner closely with Analytics, ML/AI, and Product teams as Checkr advances how AI and human expertise work together and this role is central to making that vision operational.
What you'll do
- Architect and lead the shift from transactional to system-level resolutions, defining how risk drives routing and where human judgment is applied
- Set accuracy thresholds and make judgment calls on speed and cost trade-offs; establish compliance guardrails and operational controls
- Design and operate the human-in-the-loop framework that connects expert review to AI model improvement, defining the feedback architecture so every expert decision generates signal that makes automated detection smarter over time
- Partner with Analytics, ML/AI, and Product teams as the operational voice in a cross-functional build
- Architect repeatable frameworks that transform one-time solutions into systematic capabilities
What you bring
- 8+ years of experience in operations or business operations with a track record of designing and delivering systems that scale
- Demonstrated ability to execute roadmaps while building the operational infrastructure underneath them
- Experience in human-in-the-loop or AI-assisted operations, ideally in a regulated industry (background screening, fintech, healthtech, compliance)
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to make architectural decisions, including quality thresholds, routing logic, capacity tradeoffs - not just optimize existing processes
- Cross-functional instincts: you've partnered closely with technical teams and can translate between operational reality and system design
- An A-player mindset with a strong bias for action: you raise the bar, move with urgency, stay resilient through ambiguity, and take ownership to deliver meaningful outcomes
What We Offer
- A fast-paced and collaborative environment
- Learning and development allowance
- Competitive cash and equity compensation, and opportunity for advancement
- 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Up to $25K reimbursement for fertility, adoption, and parental planning services
- Flexible PTO policy
- Monthly wellness stipend
At Checkr, we believe an in office work environment strengthens collaboration, drives innovation, and encourages connection. Our hub locations are Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; Nashville, TN; and Santiago, Chile. Individuals are expected to work from the office 3+ days a week. In-office perks are provided, such as lunch five times a week, a commuter stipend, and an abundance of snacks and beverages. A relocation stipend may be available for those willing to relocate to a Checkr hub location.
Equal Employment Opportunities at Checkr
Checkr is committed to building the best product and company, which requires hiring talented and qualified individuals with a diverse set of perspectives and lived experiences. Checkr believes in hiring people of all backgrounds, including those whose histories are impacted by the justice system in accordance with local, state, and/or federal laws, including the San Francisco's Fair Chance Ordinance.
Applicant Privacy Policy
If you are a California resident or are located in Alberta or British Columbia, our Applicant Privacy Policy applies to our collection and processing of your personal information when you apply for a role with us or otherwise participate in our recruitment process.
- Legitimate Checkr emails will always include our official domain name after the @ symbol (e.g., name@checkr.com or name@ext.checkr.com).
See All 175+ AI Architect Jobs in San Francisco
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Find AI Architect JobsAI Architect Job Market in San Francisco
Who's Hiring
- Pinterest23
- DoorDash8
- Genentech8
- Scale AI6
- Anthropic6
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software99
- Artificial Intelligence15
- Social Media9
- Science & Research8
- Medical Devices7
AI Architect Jobs in San Francisco: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a ai architect job in San Francisco?
Focus your search on SoMa, Mission Bay, and the Financial District, where AI-native startups, major cloud providers, and enterprise software companies concentrate. Hands-on experience designing large language model pipelines, MLOps infrastructure, or distributed AI systems gives you a clear edge in this market. Contributing to open-source AI projects or building a public portfolio of deployed systems resonates strongly with San Francisco hiring teams.
Which companies hire ai architects in San Francisco?
San Francisco ai architect roles are posted by Pinterest, DoorDash, and Genentech and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. The local market includes a dense mix of AI-native startups, major cloud platform companies, and large financial and healthcare organizations investing heavily in applied AI.
Are there remote ai architect jobs in San Francisco?
Yes, and ai architect work is relatively remote-friendly given its design and strategy-heavy nature. About 45% of ai architect openings tied to San Francisco are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how broadly companies here have embraced flexible arrangements. System design reviews and architecture planning sessions are the portions most commonly done fully remote.
How can I get a ai architect job in San Francisco with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a senior machine learning engineer or data platform engineer role at a mid-size San Francisco startup, where scope expands quickly into architecture responsibilities. Companies in the Dogpatch and Mission Bay biotech and AI corridors regularly promote from hands-on engineering into architecture tracks. Building production-grade AI projects, even in contract or freelance capacities, accelerates that transition more than certifications alone.
Which industries hire the most ai architects in San Francisco?
San Francisco ai architect roles concentrate in Technology & Software, Artificial Intelligence, and Social Media, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. San Francisco's density of AI-native companies, large consumer tech platforms, and well-funded fintech and healthtech firms creates sustained demand that goes well beyond any single sector.
Related Jobs in California
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