About The Role
We're looking for an LLM Researcher Lead to design the next generation of evaluation methodologies for API-based coding agents. This role combines systems research, benchmarking, and applied machine learning to answer fundamental questions about how coding agents can become more accurate, efficient, and cost-effective without requiring access to model weights. You'll help define how AI coding systems are measured, optimized, and deployed at scale while working on problems that have immediate impact on real production workloads.
What You'll Do
Design & develop SLM for endpoint devices [laptops]
Design & develop a model router using endpoint state
Design rigorous evaluation methodologies for API-based coding agents, with and without access to external tools.
Build statistically sound benchmarks that measure cost, latency, accuracy, reliability, and developer productivity.
Develop novel techniques for optimizing agent context, retrieval, memory, and tool interactions while preserving correctness.
Design and analyze large-scale experimental campaigns using production APIs across multiple foundation models.
Build reusable research infrastructure, datasets, simulators, and evaluation frameworks for agentic systems.
Publish technical reports and contribute research findings that influence both product direction and the broader AI community.
Collaborate closely with engineering teams to translate research into production-ready optimization systems.
Stay at the forefront of advances in LLMs, agent architectures, retrieval systems, and AI evaluation methodologies.
What We're Looking For
Must-have
PhD or equivalent research experience in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
Strong background in experimental design, statistical analysis, and empirical evaluation.
Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and communicate findings through publications, technical reports, or open-source projects.
Deep understanding of modern LLMs, retrieval systems, or AI agents.
Nice to Have
Experience working with API-based foundation models such as Claude, GPT, Gemini, or similar systems.
Publications in machine learning, systems, information retrieval, software engineering, or AI evaluation.
Experience designing benchmarks, datasets, or evaluation frameworks.
Familiarity with developer tools, coding assistants, or software engineering workflows.
Experience with distributed experimentation and large-scale data analysis.
Our Tech Stack
Go, Python, ONNX Runtime, PyTorch, Transformers, Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, OpenAI API, Anthropic API, Gemini API, Kubernetes, Docker, AWS, GitHub Actions, PostgreSQL
Why PointFive
Founders with a track record Built and sold IntSights to Rapid7. Backed by top-tier investors with deep conviction in this category.
Category-defining product Building AI systems that reduce engineering waste and improve the efficiency of software development through measurable optimization.
Research with real-world impact Your work will be validated on production-scale workloads, influence shipping products, and shape how next-generation coding agents are evaluated.
Opportunity to define a new research field Help establish the benchmarks, methodologies, and scientific standards for evaluating and optimizing API-based coding agents—an area that is only beginning to emerge.
Equal Opportunity Statement
PointFive is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.
