| Location | San Francisco, CA |
About us
Were solving AIs hardest problem: alignment.
Encord is the data layer for Physical AI and enterprise, serving as core infrastructure for 300+ teams at the cutting edge of AI, including Woven by Toyota, Hitachi, Skydio, AbbVie and Dyna, Walden and Agility Robotics. From autonomous vehicles and robotics to sports and healthcare, were solving AIs hardest problem: turning complex, real-world data into production-ready intelligent systems.
Were a team of former founders, scientists, quants, researchers, and even Olympians, who've helped build some of the most successful companies in Silicon Valley, and alumni of MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial. We've raised $110M from the early investors in companies like Databricks, ElevenLabs and Vercel, and we're growing at an extraordinary pace.
Were looking for exceptional people who want to help build a category-defining company, operating with high-urgency and taking real ownership to help shape the future of AI.
The role
As a Commercial Associate at Encord, youll be an early commercial hire with real ownership across the top and middle of the funnel. Youll help shape how we identify, engage, and convert the right customers as we scale - while building the foundations of a long-term commercial career.
Youll sit at the intersection of outbound strategy, customer discovery, and deal execution. From day one, youll be expected to think like a seller: prioritising the right accounts, crafting thoughtful outreach, and partnering closely with Account Executives to move real opportunities forward.
This role is designed to identify future sellers early. We optimise for trajectory over polish. High performers typically progress into closing, leadership, or specialist roles (Sales, Solutions, Growth) within 12-18 months, often sooner.
What youll do
Identify, research, and prioritise high-potential accounts across Encords core verticals and regions
Develop strong points of view on who to target and why
Execute thoughtful, multi-channel outbound (email, LinkedIn, calls, creative plays)
Craft messaging that resonates with technical and commercial buyers
Partner with Growth and Sales to test campaigns, refine targeting, and improve conversion
Own outcomes, not just activity - quality opportunities matter more than volume
Work directly with Account Executives to progress live opportunities
Support discovery, demos, trials, and follow-ups
Help shape business cases and stakeholder mapping
Ensure a high-quality, consistent prospect experience
Learn how complex, technical B2B deals actually get done
Who were looking for
Youve consistently performed in the top percentile of what youve done - academically, professionally, or competitively
Youre motivated by ownership, learning, and long-term growth, not just title or short-term compensation
You enjoy figuring out why something works, not just following a script
Youre comfortable operating with ambiguity and high expectations
You can engage with technical concepts without losing sight of business outcomes
You want to be part of building something - not just maintaining it
Experience requirements
1-3 years of professional experience in a commercial, customer-facing, or high-performance role
Exposure to outbound prospecting, pipeline generation, or client engagement is strongly preferred
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Evidence of discipline, resilience, and continuous improvement
Why Encord
Competitive salary, commission, and meaningful equity in a high-growth startup
Clear, accelerated growth opportunities as the company scales rapidly
Strong in-person culture: 4 days/week
Daily team lunches & dinners
Flexible PTO to fully recharge
18 paid vacation days in the U.S. plus federal holidays
Annual learning & development budget
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
Frequent travel opportunities across the U.S., London, and Europe
Bi-annual company offsites & monthly socials
Operating principles
High agency
You see something broken, you fix it or find the person who can. We celebrate the people who solve 90% of a problem before anyone asks.
Build with care & urgency
We bear-hug the customer. Former founders and people from fast-moving, high-stakes environments thrive here.
Self-aware & hungry
We stay warm, self-aware, and genuinely hungry. We elevate our peers, and ego doesnt last long.
Invent in real time
We move toward the ambiguity. We're pragmatic, resourceful, energized by the fact that theres no playbook.
If youre looking to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who push you to be better, wed love to meet you!