Have you ever wondered what skills are in high demand for AI engineers and researchers? I recently came across a Reddit post that shed some light on this question. The author scraped over 500 job listings on public and private YC job boards and found some interesting patterns. Here’s what they discovered:
Firstly, most companies are looking for candidates who can take a project from demo to deployment. This means they want engineers who can build something that users can interact with, not just research and write papers. Over 70% of the top listings prioritized this skill, showing just how important it is.
Another surprising finding was that startups are paying very well. Even outside of big tech companies like Google and Meta, venture-backed startups are offering compensation packages in the $200,000 to $400,000 range. These companies are making money, raising funds, and need execution-focused builders to help them grow.
Lastly, the author found that public work matters more than you think. In over half of the roles, a Loom demo of a prototype AI agent, a clean GitHub repo, or a HuggingFace space were weighted heavier than a resume. This shows that having a strong online presence and being able to showcase your work is crucial in getting hired.
These findings are valuable insights for anyone looking to break into the AI industry. By focusing on building practical skills, working on side projects, and showcasing your work online, you can increase your chances of getting hired by top companies.
What do you think about these findings? Are you surprised by the skills that are in demand?