MBA Resident

Job description

About SandboxAQ

SandboxAQ is a high-growth company delivering AI solutions that address some of the world’s greatest challenges. The company’s Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) power advances in life sciences, financial services, navigation, cybersecurity, and other sectors.

We are a global team that is tech-focused and includes experts in AI, chemistry, cybersecurity, physics, mathematics, medicine, engineering, and other specialties. The company emerged from Alphabet Inc. as an independent, growth capital-backed company in 2022, funded by leading investors and supported by a braintrust of industry leaders.

At SandboxAQ, we’ve cultivated an environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and impact. By investing deeply in our people, we’re building a thriving, global workforce poised to tackle the world’s epic challenges. Join us to advance your career in pursuit of an inspiring mission, in a community of like-minded people who value entrepreneurialism, ownership, and transformative impact.

About the Role

This MBA Residency in the Office of the CEO at SandboxAQ offers a truly exceptional opportunity for a high-performing, strategically-minded MBA candidate or recent graduate. This is more than an internship; it is a deep immersion into the strategic heartbeat of a rapidly growing, category-defining technology company. As an MBA Resident, you will work in close collaboration with the CEO, Chief of Staff, and other senior leaders, providing critical analytical and strategic support on a range of high-priority, mission-critical initiatives.

The role is uniquely positioned to provide unparalleled exposure to executive-level decision-making, offering a panoramic view of how a leading-edge technology company operates and scales. You will contribute significantly across three core strategic pillars: Corporate Development, Company Strategy, and Investor Relations. This residency is designed to provide a rich learning experience, foster significant professional development, and allow you to make a tangible impact on SandboxAQ’s trajectory during your tenure. The direct engagement with top-tier strategic challenges means your contributions will not only be valued but will also visibly influence outcomes, providing a level of responsibility and impact rarely found in typical internship programs.

What You’ll Do

Your responsibilities will be diverse and impactful, offering a comprehensive experience at the intersection of strategy, finance, and executive operations. You will be expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy and intellectual rigor.

• Corporate Development:

  • Actively contribute to the full M&A lifecycle, from strategic rationale development and target screening to leading specific due diligence workstreams (e.g., financial, operational, technical), building sophisticated valuation models, and supporting preliminary integration planning. Your involvement will be critical in shaping the company’s inorganic growth strategy.
  • Develop comprehensive investment theses and prepare compelling materials for executive review on potential acquisitions, strategic investments, or joint ventures that align with SandboxAQ’s long-term vision.

• Strategy:

  • Lead the development of in-depth market analyses and formulate strategic recommendations for new product introductions, geographic expansions, or evolving competitive positioning. This includes conducting market sizing (TAM/SAM/SOM), building robust business cases, and contributing to go-to-market strategy formulation, presenting findings to senior leadership.
  • Conduct thorough research and synthesize complex information on emerging industry trends, disruptive technologies (particularly in AI and Quantum), and the competitive landscape to inform strategic planning, identify new growth opportunities, or highlight potential threats.
  • Partner with business unit leaders and product teams to pressure-test strategic assumptions, refine business plans, and support the annual strategic planning process with data-driven insights.

• Investor Relations:

  • Support the preparation of quarterly earnings materials, including drafting sections of earnings call scripts, investor presentations, and Q&A documents to ensure clear and effective communication with the investment community.
  • Analyze analyst consensus estimates, peer company performance metrics, and broader market sentiment to provide actionable insights to the Investor Relations team and senior leadership.
  • Assist in maintaining relationships with current and potential investors, and contribute to the preparation for investor meetings, conferences, or non-deal roadshows.

• Cross-Functional & Office of the CEO Initiatives:

  • Independently manage and drive select high-priority, cross-functional strategic projects as delegated by the CEO or Chief of Staff. This involves ensuring alignment across departments, meticulously tracking progress against milestones, managing diverse stakeholders, and proactively identifying and mitigating risks to ensure successful project completion.
  • Develop, monitor, and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for critical strategic initiatives, creating executive-level dashboards and concise progress summaries to communicate insights and facilitate data-driven decision-making.
  • Prepare compelling, data-driven presentations and briefing materials for the CEO, Board of Directors, and other senior executives on a variety of strategic topics.
  • Facilitate key leadership meetings by assisting with agenda setting, preparing necessary materials, documenting key decisions, and diligently following up on action items.

The scope of these responsibilities reflects an expectation for the MBA Resident to function as a high-level individual contributor, akin to an internal strategic consultant or a junior Chief of Staff. The emphasis on leading initiatives, developing comprehensive strategies, and independently managing projects signifies a level of trust and responsibility that offers an exceptional developmental experience. This combination provides a unique opportunity to understand not just the individual functions of CorpDev, Strategy, and IR, but how they interrelate and contribute to the overall direction and success of the company from the CEO’s perspective.

Who You Are

We are seeking an exceptional individual who is poised to make significant contributions from day one.

• Required Qualifications:

  • Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a top-tier MBA program.
  • A minimum of 4-5 years of pre-MBA professional experience in a highly analytical and demanding environment. Relevant backgrounds include investment banking, management consulting, corporate strategy, venture capital, private equity, or business operations/product management within a technology company. This prior experience is crucial as it provides a foundation of analytical rigor and business acumen necessary to tackle the complex challenges of this role.
  • Exceptional analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to dissect complex problems, synthesize diverse information streams, and deliver clear, actionable recommendations.
  • Strong financial modeling, valuation, and general corporate finance skills (particularly relevant for the Corporate Development aspects of the role).
  • Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation), with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively to senior executive audiences.
  • Authorization to work in the United States.

• Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated interest or prior experience in AI, enterprise SaaS, or related deep technology sectors.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, dynamic, and often ambiguous environment.
  • Prior experience working directly on M&A transactions, strategic partnerships, or significant corporate strategy projects.

• Key Competencies & Personal Attributes:

  • A high level of intellectual curiosity and a genuine, strong desire to learn continuously.
  • A proactive, self-starter mentality coupled with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and a bias for action.
  • Exceptional strategic thinking capabilities combined with a practical, ‘roll-up-your-sleeves’ attitude to ensure execution and get things done effectively.
  • High emotional intelligence, demonstrating the ability to build strong relationships, collaborate effectively, and navigate interpersonal dynamics across all levels of the organization.
  • Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to thrive, adapt, and maintain high performance in a rapidly evolving and sometimes unstructured environment.
  • Unquestionable discretion, sound judgment, and personal integrity, particularly when handling confidential and sensitive information inherent to working within the Office of the CEO.

The combination of these qualifications and attributes is essential. The role demands not only strong analytical capabilities and business acumen but also the interpersonal finesse and resilience required to operate effectively at the highest levels of a dynamic organization.

Why Join SandboxAQ?

This MBA Residency offers a distinctive and compelling value proposition for aspiring leaders:

• Unparalleled Executive Exposure: Gain direct mentorship opportunities and work in close proximity with the CEO, Chief of Staff, and other C-suite executives on their most pressing strategic challenges and opportunities. This level of access provides invaluable insights into executive leadership and decision-making.
• Broad Strategic Impact: Contribute meaningfully to pivotal decisions in corporate development, overarching company strategy, and investor communications. You will see your work translate into tangible outcomes for a leading AQ company, providing a profound sense of accomplishment.
• Deep Functional Expertise: Develop deep, hands-on expertise in the highly sought-after and interconnected disciplines of Corporate Development, Strategy, and Investor Relations within a dynamic, high-growth technology environment.
• Unique Industry Insight: Immerse yourself in the transformative world of AI and Quantum computing, gaining firsthand experience in a company positioned at the vanguard of technological innovation and market creation.
• Career Acceleration: Build a powerful professional network and lay the groundwork for significant career advancement. This residency is a premier opportunity to showcase your talent, and it is designed with the potential for a full-time offer upon graduation for outstanding performers. SandboxAQ views this program as a vital component of its talent pipeline for future leaders.
• Innovative & Collaborative Culture: Join a passionate, intellectually stimulating team of world-class scientists, engineers, and business professionals dedicated to solving complex problems and shaping the future of technology.

The true uniqueness of this opportunity lies in the synergy of engaging with CEO-level strategic issues within a hyper-growth, cutting-edge technology company. It combines the intellectual rigor and strategic breadth of a high-level corporate role with the excitement, pace, and innovative spirit of a company like SandboxAQ.

Program Details & Location

• Program Duration: This is a 3-4 month paid program, full-time during the summer, with flexibility to adjust to part-time during the school year or continue full-time for top performers.
• Location: The remote role is tangentially based at our global headquarters in Palo Alto, California, the heart of Silicon Valley. We offer a hybrid work model, which combines the benefits of in-office collaboration and connection with the flexibility of remote work, subject to company policy and team needs.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is expected to be $60k-$100k per year. Our salary ranges are determined by role and level. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This role may be eligible for annual discretionary bonuses and equity.

SandboxAQ welcomes all.

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where we have zero tolerance for discrimination. We invest in our employees’ personal and professional growth. Once you work with us, you can’t go back to normalcy because great breakthroughs come from great teams and we are the best in AI and quantum technology.

We offer competitive salaries, stock options depending on employment type, generous learning opportunities, medical/dental/vision, family planning/fertility, PTO (summer and winter breaks), financial wellness resources, 401(k) plans, and more.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.

Accommodations: We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in job application procedures for open roles. If you need such an accommodation, please let a member of our Recruiting team know.