Top Startup Jobs Hiring in 2026 (With Salaries)

The startup job market in 2026 is being reshaped by AI-native companies, leaner teams, and a renewed focus on revenue and execution. While hiring is more selective than in the 2021–2022 boom, demand for certain roles is higher than ever—and salaries remain competitive, especially for candidates who can operate across functions.

This guide breaks down the top startup jobs hiring in 2026, what they actually do, and realistic salary ranges based on current market data across NYC, SF, and remote-first startups.

1. AI / Machine Learning Engineer

Why startups are hiring: AI is no longer a feature—it is the product. Startups need engineers who can ship production-grade models, not just experiments.

What you’ll do:

• Build and deploy LLM-powered features

• Fine-tune models and manage inference costs

• Work closely with product and design

Salary (2026):

• $180K–$250K base

• Equity upside common at early-stage companies

Most common backgrounds:
Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, LLM APIs, MLOps

2. Full-Stack Software Engineer

Why startups are hiring: Full-stack engineers remain the backbone of early and growth-stage startups—especially those who can move fast with minimal oversight.

What you’ll do:

• Build end-to-end product features

• Own frontend + backend decisions

• Collaborate directly with founders

Salary (2026):

• $160K–$210K base

• Often includes meaningful equity

Common stacks:
React, Next.js, Node.js, Python, Postgres

3. Product Manager (Startup / AI PM)

Why startups are hiring: Founders want PMs who can turn ambiguity into execution—especially in AI-heavy products where user needs are still evolving.

What you’ll do:

• Define product strategy and roadmap

• Translate customer pain into shipped features

• Balance speed, scope, and technical constraints

Salary (2026):

• $170K–$230K base

• Higher at AI and fintech startups

Best fit for:
Former founders, operators, consultants, senior IC PMs

4. Data Engineer

Why startups are hiring: AI and analytics-driven startups need clean, reliable data pipelines before anything else works.

What you’ll do:

• Build ETL pipelines

• Own data infrastructure

• Enable analytics, ML, and reporting

Salary (2026):

• $165K–$215K base

Tools:
SQL, Snowflake, dbt, Airflow, Python

5. DevOps / Platform Engineer

Why startups are hiring: As infrastructure costs rise, startups need engineers who can scale systems efficiently, not just reliably.

What you’ll do:

• Manage cloud infrastructure

• Improve uptime and deployment speed

• Optimize costs and security

Salary (2026):

• $170K–$225K base

Skills:
AWS/GCP, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD

6. Enterprise Account Executive (B2B Startups)

Why startups are hiring: Revenue is king again. Strong closers are among the highest-paid non-technical roles in startups.

What you’ll do:

• Close mid-market and enterprise deals

• Work directly with founders and product

• Shape early GTM strategy

Salary (2026):

• $140K–$180K base

• $260K–$350K+ OTE

Best fit for:
B2B SaaS sellers, ex-consultants, former founders

7. Growth Marketing Manager

Why startups are hiring: Paid acquisition is expensive—startups want growth leaders who can experiment, measure, and scale channels profitably.

What you’ll do:

• Run growth experiments

• Own funnels and conversion rates

• Partner with product and sales

Salary (2026):

• $150K–$200K base

Channels:
SEO, content, paid search, lifecycle, partnerships

8. UX / Product Designer

Why startups are hiring: As AI commoditizes features, experience becomes the differentiator.

What you’ll do:

• Design core user flows

• Rapidly prototype and test

• Influence product decisions

Salary (2026):

• $150K–$210K base

Tools:
Figma, Framer, usability testing

9. Chief of Staff (Early-Stage Startups)

Why startups are hiring: Founders need a right-hand operator to scale execution across teams.

What you’ll do:

• Run strategic initiatives

• Support fundraising and ops

• Act as force multiplier for the CEO

Salary (2026):

• $160K–$230K base

Common backgrounds:
Consulting, ops, strategy, early employees

10. Customer Success / Solutions Engineer

Why startups are hiring: Retention matters as much as acquisition—especially in B2B and AI products.

What you’ll do:

• Onboard and support customers

• Drive adoption and expansion

• Relay feedback to product

Salary (2026):

• $130K–$180K base

Quick Salary Snapshot (2026)

How to Win a Startup Job in 2026

• Show execution, not credentials: Startups care more about what you’ve shipped than where you worked.

• Operate cross-functionally: Hybrid skill sets win.

• Understand the business: Revenue, retention, and unit economics matter.

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Updated for 2026 hiring trends.