SECTION I · THE BRIEF
Brief #96544Updated 21 OCT 2026SAN FRANCISCO, CAAshbyY COMBINATOR
Employbl Company Profile

Head of Talent

Wafer is an AI optimization platform that automatically accelerates AI models by generating efficient custom GPU kernels.

Location
San Francisco, CA
Company size
1–10
Posted
5d ago
Via
Ashby
Section II · Full ProfileFree with an account
  • 01Comp band & equity packageLocked
  • 02Seniority & experience requirementsLocked
  • 03Interview process & rubricLocked
  • 04Headcount & which departments are hiringLocked
  • 05Growth trajectory in this roleLocked
  • 06Offer & decision timelineLocked

No card · 2 minutes · the funding and stack behind this role

Head of Talent

Wafer· San FranciscoView company profile


Job title
Head of Talent
Job location
San Francisco
Job description

Head of Talent

At Wafer, we are building AI systems that automatically optimize inference workloads across silicon. The quality of our team determines how fast we can build.

We're looking for a Head of Talent to find and close exceptional people, and build the recruiting function that lets Wafer scale without lowering the bar. You'll work directly with the founders, Chief of Staff and hiring managers, and personally own our most important searches.

What you'll do

  • Find and recruit exceptional engineers and operators through direct sourcing, referrals and relationships.

  • Own searches from the first conversation through an accepted offer. You know the candidates, what matters to them and what it will take to close them.

  • Work with hiring managers to define what great looks like, design useful interviews and make decisions quickly.

  • Help candidates understand Wafer's technical work, ambition and the impact they can have here.

  • Keep the recruiting process fast and organized: clear ownership, timely feedback, reliable scheduling and accurate data in Ashby.

  • Manage recruiting partners, understand which channels produce strong hires and spend accordingly.

  • Build the talent team and recruiting systems as the company grows.

What we look for

  • You have several years of experience in talent or recruiting, preferably at a high-growth startup. You've seen what breaks as hiring accelerates and have built the systems to keep up.

  • You have personally sourced and closed exceptional technical hires. You can explain how you found them, earned their trust and helped them make the decision.

  • You understand technical hiring. Experience recruiting for infrastructure, systems, AI or similarly demanding engineering roles is especially valuable.

  • You have strong judgment and high standards. You can help a hiring manager distinguish a great candidate from someone who interviews well.

  • You build trust with candidates and move quickly without losing the details. You are willing to do the sourcing, follow-ups and coordination yourself.

  • You work without a spec. You can turn an ambitious hiring goal into a clear plan and execute it.

How we evaluate

We score every candidate on seven values:

  1. Infinitely Resourceful

  2. Exceptionalism

  3. Unreasonable Standards

  4. Company Over Self

  5. High EQ

  6. Learns Quickly

  7. First Principles Thinker

Benefits

  • Fully covered medical, dental, and vision insurance.

  • Daily lunch and dinner, unlimited PTO, and parental leave.

  • $1K/month housing stipend (post-tax) if you live within walking distance (0.5 miles) from the office.

  • Covered Uber/Waymo from/to office.

  • Visa sponsorship available.

How we work

On-site in San Francisco, five days a week. Small team with massive surface area and ownership. You operate with complete autonomy of how to solve problems.

You will build the talent function while doing the work yourself. Your success is measured by the exceptional people who join Wafer and what they help us build.

Offers Equity • Fully covered medical, dental and vision. Daily lunch and dinner. Unlimited PTO and parental leave. $1K/month housing stipend if you live within half a mile of the office. Visa sponsorship available.

View job listing ↗
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Wafer headquarters

San Francisco, CA

Company size

1–10 employees

Founded

2025

Total raised

$40,800,000

View company profile ↗

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Funding rounds