ETCH Jobs of the Week 1/13/24
AI in EdTech
ETCH Jobs of the Week (JOTW) is a collaboration between ETCH, your home for EdTech news and information; and my recruiting practice, Tenzing, which helps orgs positively impacting education efficiently attract, source, vet and hire mission-aligned talent.
AI in EdTech
In his 2023 recap, Matt Tower, founder of ETCH, posed the question, “Was 2023 the year of AI in EdTech?” The full post is worth it, but the punchline was that AI's most significant positive impact was in tutoring and language learning. However, many other EdTech / EdTech-adjacent firms are experimenting with the technology, and we expect advances in other areas soon.
For example, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) continues to invest in AI-driven strategies - the company invested in Amira Learning in 2019 (long before ChatGPT launched) and doubled down on their investment in AI-for-writing tool Writable by facilitating a partnership between Writable and OpenAI. In 2022 and 2023, they added roles such as Data Engineers, an Analyst, Delivery Lead, and Cloud Architect to their team, many in Ireland (also home to Soapbox Labs, another, recently acquired AI-in-EdTech brand). We expect this investment to continue.
AI in EdTech: Not Just for Engineers
When thinking about AI in EdTech and its impact on career opportunities throughout the sector, it is important to realize that the impact is cross-functional. You’ll find AI/ML-related opportunities in content marketing, digital marketing and social media, business development, product, learning design, and prompt engineering in addition to the more technical data engineering, data science, and AI / ML engineering roles.
AI is also not just for engineers. A growing number of low-code and no-code tools must allow enterprising non-technical folks to build their own tools - a friend of mine built a profitable side-hustle sports website with a simple combination of WordPress, auto-blogging tools, and outsourced content creators. I (who have little to no coding knowledge) have been building GPTs to provide job description summaries, and hiring process guides for my internal team, and some to help job seekers as well. The key next thing I’m working on learning is how to build discrete applications around custom GPTs so that they can be used outside of ChatGPT. I believe it is really important - starting with myself - that folks not think they should sit on the sidelines in terms of developing AI-skills.
How and where EdTech firms are acquiring AI / ML expertise
If an EdTech company is serious about integrating AI into their product strategy, acquiring the right technical expertise is crucial. This doesn’t always mean hiring full-time AI/ML engineers. Some companies I’ve worked with start by partnering with data science and AI/ML consultants or agencies. Once the projects gain momentum, we work with them on recruiting in-house technical talent. Many of these consultants or agencies can also assist with the technical interviews, especially if the company lacks the requisite technical expertise.
Another consideration for EdTech firms is the geographical sourcing and employment of AI/ML talent - the market for AI talent is hot! We’ve assisted clients in expanding their search to Canada, where compensation expectations for data scientists and AI/ML engineers can be more budget-friendly. Other EdTech clients have found success building out entire engineering teams in LATAM and Israel. I recently collaborated with an Israeli-EdTech firm that built their engineering teams in Israel while expanding their sales, marketing, and customer success teams in the United States.
Now, let’s get to the Jobs of the Week…
This week, we’ve pulled together a cross-functional selection of data analytics and AI/ML opportunities within the education ecosystem.
Data Engineer | Northeastern University
Location: Portland, ME
Education Focus: Higher Education
Mission: Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experience-driven lifelong learning. They are launching a pioneering research and innovation hub in AI; the Institute for Experiential AI (IEAI) is built around the challenges and opportunities made possible by human-machine collaboration. The institute provides a framework to design, implement, and scale AI-driven technologies in ways that make a true difference to society.
Job Summary: In this role, you'll play a crucial part in developing data ingestion and transformation components, employing Java/Scala, and Big Data technologies. You'll be responsible for creating clear, production-level Python code, working with cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud, and managing ETL pipelines. Knowledge of big data tools like Apache Spark, Kafka, and AirFlow is a plus, as is familiarity with deep learning and machine learning frameworks. Expertise in data governance, version control, and databases is essential. Preferred qualifications include cloud architecture experience, domain expertise (e.g., healthcare), and open-source contributions. Your responsibilities will encompass building and enhancing data pipelines and supporting data scientists, academic programs, and industry projects, making this a dynamic and multifaceted role.
Compensation: Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation
Senior ML Ops Cloud Engineer | Merlyn Mind
Location: Remote
Education Focus: Software Tools
Mission: Merlyn Mind is a "Remote First" VC-backed AI EdTech startup that brings the latest advances in AI to Education to help improve the lives of teachers and ultimately the learning outcomes of their students. Their Mission is to build a digital assistant for teachers, to untether teachers from the desk and help them with managing classroom technologies.
Job Summary: As the Sr. ML Ops Cloud Engineer you’ll design and develop scalable inference infrastructure for AI models. In this role, you'll apply engineering best practices, collaborate across teams, and ensure operational efficiency. Qualifications include operational experience, expertise in GCP cloud, proficiency in Python or other languages, familiarity with infrastructure as code, and strong cloud data management skills. This position involves deploying AI models in production and contributing to an urgent mission of creating a digital assistant for teachers to enhance classroom technology management.
Compensation: MM offers benefits including 401(k) matching, medical, dental, & vision insurance, health savings account, PTO, last fridays off, flexible schedules, Flexible spending account, Parental leave, and life insurance
Report Writer (Workday Student) | Howard University
Location: Remote
Education Focus: Higher Education
Mission: Howard University provides an educational experience of exceptional quality at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels, with particular emphasis upon educational opportunities for Black students. The University is dedicated to attracting faculty who are, committed to the development of distinguished, historically aware, and compassionate graduates and to the discovery of solutions to human problems in the United States and throughout the world.
Job Summary: As Workday Student Report Writer, you'll collaborate with stakeholders to gather report requirements, develop and maintain reports using Workday Student, and ensure data accuracy. This role contributes to Howard University's strategic success by supporting its data analytics efforts. Strong knowledge of Workday Student, data analysis skills, and excellent communication are essential. A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field and 2+ years of Workday Student report writing experience are required.
Senior AI Research Engineer, Recommendation | Duolingo
Location: New York, NY (Hybrid)
Education Focus: Educational Software
Mission: Duolingo’s mission is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. There are over 1.2 billion people learning a language and the majority are doing so to gain access to better opportunities. Duolingo was created so that everyone could have a chance. Free language education – no hidden fees, no premium content, just free.
Job Summary: Duolingo is seeking an AI Research Engineer with expertise in recommendation systems to contribute to personalized learning. This role involves a wide range of responsibilities, from research engagement and innovation to implementation. You'll collaborate across functions to solve complex problems, prototype solutions, and share your findings with both Duolingo and the research community. Requirements include an M.S. or Ph.D. in machine learning or related fields, 2 years of industry experience, recommendation system expertise, and the ability to relocate to New York, NY or Pittsburgh, PA. Strong interpersonal, organizational, and debugging skills are essential, and exceptional candidates will have a substantial publication record and mentoring experience.
Compensation: The salary for this role is $166,500 - $273,000. Duolingo offers Medical, dental, vision insurance, mental health care, generous PTO, parental leave and family planning support, child and pet care, charitable donation matching, 401(k) match, disability benefits, life insurance, continued education opportunities, and more
Data Steward | Cengage Group
Location: Massachusetts
Education Focus: Education Content and Technology
Mission: Cengage Group is a global edtech company that enables student choice. No matter how, where, when or why someone wants to learn, their portfolio of education businesses supports all students, from middle school through graduate school and skills education, with quality content and technology. Through trust, transparency and accountability, they are on a mission to reinvent education.
Job Summary: As a Data Steward, you'll be the bridge between marketing, sales operations, and technology, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of customer and prospect data. Your role involves optimizing campaigns, identifying data gaps, and collaborating with various teams to enhance data quality. You'll need a bachelor's degree, 2-3 years of data-related experience, excellent communication skills, and advanced SQL skills. Your ability to analyze complex data sets and work with technical resources to implement solutions will be crucial, as will your understanding of marketing automation and CRM systems, preferably Salesforce. This role plays a vital part in maintaining data accuracy and privacy standards.
Compensation: The expected salary for this role is between $49,500 - $79,200. Cengage group also offers benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), PTO, wellness programs, insurance for life, AD&D, disability and legal expenses, tuition assistance, career development resources, as well as a work life balance, being named a Best Place to Work by Glassdoor in 2024, 2023, and 2019
Product Data Specialist, Product Data Integrity | Amplify
Location: Remote
Education Focus: K12
Mission: Amplify is dedicated to helping teachers celebrate and develop student thinking. Their mission is to help teachers experience more exhilaration, more great classroom moments, more great days that remind them why they became a teacher. Amplify creates high-quality programs that make it easier to teach inspiring, impactful lessons that celebrate and develop the brilliance of students.
Job Summary: As Product Data Specialist your role involves collaborating with the Operations Manager to optimize product configurations within the supply chain. You'll maintain product records, act as a subject matter expert in product configuration, and support product teams in creating physical product configurations. Your responsibilities also include ensuring data integrity, managing materials onboarding processes, and communicating with internal and external stakeholders. To excel in this role, you should have a bachelor's degree, 1+ years of print production or materials kit production experience, 3+ years of project management experience, intermediate financial knowledge, and strong communication skills. Preferred qualifications include supply chain experience, a strategic mindset, and familiarity with education technology.
Compensation: The expected base salary for this role is $55,819 - $77,868. This role is also eligible for annual bonuses and benefits including 401(k, incentive stock options, health insurance and mental health options, basic life insurance, PTO, parental leave, and access to best-in-class development programs
Principal Data Systems Analyst | Udemy
Location: San Francisco, CA
Education Focus: K12
Mission: Udemy is on a mission to improve lives through the power of learning. They’re a leading global learning company and one of the world’s largest education platforms, with more than 59 million learners. Their goal is to provide flexible, effective skill development to empower organizations and individuals.
Job Summary: As this is a new discipline at Udemy, you'll be at the forefront of building a new data discipline within the company. Your role involves partnering with Product, Engineering, and business teams to shape data warehousing initiatives, defining the direction for Analytics Engineering, and translating business needs into SQL-based data solutions. With over 10 years of data and analytics experience, you're an SQL expert and have a strong background in data warehousing and analytics product development. You'll be instrumental in driving large-scale change in an engineering-driven organization, making strategic data-driven decisions in a dynamic environment, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to innovate and build Udemy's data warehouse model.
Compensation: The salary for this roles is $196,000—$245,000. Udemy also offers benefits including; medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, and disability coverage, with expanded coverage for gender-affirming care HSA/FSA/Commuter: Pre-tax savings/spending plans, PTO, Parental benefits, 401(k) with employer match, charitable giving match, professional development stipend and more
Senior Business Development Advisor, AI/ML, EdTech/GovTech Product Acceleration | Amazon AWS
Location: Austin, TX; Nashville, TN; Seattle, WA, Arlington, VA; Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA or Los Angeles, CA
Education Focus: Software Tools
Mission: Amazon Web Services (AWS) is helping EdTech software companies build and innovate faster. Using AWS, educators can take advantage of Amazon's expertise and economies of scale to access resources when they need them, delivering results faster and at a lower cost.
Job Summary: As an AI/ML Specialist at Amazon Web Services (AWS), your role involves collaborating with EdTech clients to explore and introduce new AI/ML opportunities for educational advancement. You'll serve as the AI/ML expert, engaging with clients to identify and nurture these opportunities. Your responsibilities extend to partnering with technical teams to expedite product development, ensuring ethical AI practices, and collaborating with marketing for product launches. Furthermore, you'll analyze customer and industry trends to create scalable strategies that enhance AWS's AI/ML presence in the EdTech sector. Qualifications include substantial business agreement experience, strategic thinking, and a proven track record of AI/ML product growth. A degree and prior experience in educational technology product development are advantageous.
Compensation: The salary for this role is $118,400- $220,200 equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits.
Hiring or looking for a role in EdTech? Check out the ETCH Jobs Community!
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