Who We Are
Lightning AI is the company behind PyTorch Lightning. Founded in 2019, we build an end-to-end platform for developing, training, and deploying AI systems—designed to take ideas from research to production with less friction.
Through our merger with Voltage Park, a neocloud and AI Factory, Lightning AI combines developer-first software with cost-efficient, large-scale compute. Teams get the tools they need for experimentation, training, and production inference, with security, observability, and control built in.
We serve solo researchers, startups, and large enterprises. Lightning AI operates globally with offices in New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and London, and is backed by Coatue, Index Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and Firstminute.
The Way We Work
The people who thrive here are builders who move fast, communicate openly, take ownership, and continuously improve themselves, their teams, and our company. Here's what that looks like in practice:
- Move with Urgency: We move quickly, make thoughtful decisions, and keep momentum. We value action over perfection and learn by shipping.
- Take Ownership: We own outcomes, not just our individual work. We make decisions that move the company forward and follow through.
- Communicate Openly: We communicate directly, seek to understand, and create clarity for others. Honest conversations help us move faster together.
- Build Great Teams: We lead by example, empower others, and create healthy teams where people can do their best work.
- Raise the Bar: We're always improving ourselves. We learn from feedback, consistently challenge ourselves to grow, and focus on the work that matters most.
- Think Long-Term: We design for what's next. We create scalable systems, simplify complexity, and use AI and automation to amplify our impact.
What We're Looking For
We're building the AI-native company that the next generation of infrastructure runs on, and that means competing for talent in some of the tightest markets on the planet: AI research and engineering, neocloud, and data center build-out. We're looking for a Global Head of Talent Acquisition to own that directive end-to-end.
This is a builder-operator role, not a caretaker one. You'll design and run the talent function that lets us hire world-class software engineers, infrastructure and data center talent, and AI researchers at the speed our roadmap demands, across geographies, across a mix of technical and specialized hiring, and without sacrificing bar or brand.
You'll report into the Chief People officer and own talent strategy globally: team, process, tooling, employer brand, and the relationships with the leaders who need great people faster than most companies think is possible.
What You'll Do
- Own global TA strategy end-to-end: build the team, systems, and processes that scale hiring across AI/ML, software engineering, neocloud, and data center functions
- Partner directly with technical and executive leaders to translate roadmap and headcount plans into precise, fast-moving hiring plans
- Build and lead a high-performing recruiting team, including specialized sourcing capacity for hard-to-find AI, infrastructure, and data center talent
- Own employer brand and top-of-funnel strategy to compete for talent against the best AI-native and infrastructure companies in the market
- Design and continuously improve interview processes, leveling, and evaluation practices so hiring stays fast, consistent, and high-bar as we scale
- Build the data infrastructure behind hiring: pipeline health, funnel metrics, time-to-fill, offer acceptance, and forecasting that keeps leadership ahead of headcount needs
- Navigate the complexity of hiring across multiple countries and talent markets, partnering with Legal and People Ops on compliant, scalable global hiring
- Represent the People function in executive planning conversations on growth, location strategy, and workforce planning
What You'll Need
- 10+ years in Talent Acquisition, with significant experience leading global TA functions at a fast-scaling technology company
- Proven success building and scaling recruiting teams and infrastructure from the ground up, not just running an existing machine
- Deep experience hiring for software engineering and AI/ML roles, with direct exposure to infrastructure, cloud, or data center hiring a strong plus
- A track record influencing senior technical and executive leaders on hiring strategy, headcount planning, and org growth
- Experience building and scaling employer brand and sourcing strategy in highly competitive technical talent markets
- Strong command of TA metrics and data, you run the function like an operator, not on instinct alone
- Experience hiring across multiple countries and navigating the complexity of global talent markets
- Excellent communication and influencing skills with senior, highly technical audiences
Nice to Have
- Direct experience hiring for neocloud, data center, or large-scale infrastructure build-outs
- Experience building TA functions inside AI-native or deep-tech companies at hypergrowth stage
- Familiarity with modern sourcing and AI-assisted recruiting tools
- Experience partnering on workforce and location strategy as part of broader business planning
- Background scaling a TA org through a major inflection point (Series C+, pre-IPO, or similar)
We are committed to offering competitive compensation that reflects the value each team member brings to our mission. Final offers are based on factors such as experience, skills, geographic location, and role expectations. In addition to base salary, our total rewards package for eligible roles includes a discretionary bonus, a meaningful equity component, and comprehensive benefits.
The anticipated annual base salary range for this role is:
$240,000—$280,000 USD
Benefits and Perks
We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees’ health, well-being, and long-term success:
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
- Meaningful Equity: RSUs that give employees a stake in the company's long-term success.
- Retirement Savings: 401(k) matching (U.S.) and pension contributions (U.K.).
- Flexible Time Off: Unlimited PTO, company holidays, and floating holidays to support work-life balance.
- Company-Wide Winter Break: Two weeks of company closure each winter to disconnect and recharge.
- Paid Parental & Family Leave: Paid leave to support you and your family through life's important moments.
- Professional Development: Annual learning and development allowance to support your professional growth.
- Wellness Benefits: Wellness and work-from-home stipends to support your physical and mental well-being.
- Sabbatical Program: Four weeks of paid sabbatical leave after four years of service.
- Flexible Work: Flexible schedules and a hybrid work model for our office-based teams.
- In-Office Meals: Complimentary meals at our office hubs.
Benefits may vary by location, team, and role.
At Lightning AI, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that diverse teams drive innovation and create better products. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are dedicated to building a culture where everyone can thrive and contribute to their fullest potential.
