Recursive

About Recursive

As the world's population grows, we are facing a number of global challenges in the realms of environmental conservation, societal equity and ensuring that nobody is left behind in the transition to a digital economy. Artificial intelligence is a key technology to not only address some symptoms of these issues, but also helping create completely new innovative approaches that can create a more sustainable economy and lifestyle.

Recursive is an Applied AI consulting company based in Japan working on developing solutions to some of these challenging problems. We collaborate with large Japanese enterprises to create innovative solutions to sustainability challenges, merging in our expertise in AI research and our client's domain knowledge. Our development projects focus around the main themes of improving efficiency, accelerating innovation, risk mitigation and better work and education.

Recursive is founded by Tiago Ramalho and Katsutoshi Yamada in 2020. Tiago was a Senior Research Engineer at Google Deepmind and Lead Research scientist at Cogent labs and brings years of machine learning expertise to the company. Katsutoshi is a serial entrepreneur and AI expert with experience in developing and establishing innovative business models in Japan and abroad.

Building on its previous successes, Recursive is now looking to grow and expand its impact further. Visit our homepage to learn more about Recursive.

Recursive’s Mission

At Recursive, our mission is to attract individuals who share our passion for our core purpose: to create a fairer, more sustainable society through the power of Artificial Intelligence.

Our Mission:
・Why: To build a fairer, more sustainable society.
・How: By transforming our clients into AI-first businesses.
・What: Through AI technology development and consulting.

In pursuit of this mission, Recursive has distinguished itself in several key areas:
・Cutting-Edge AI Application: We excel in translating state-of-the-art AI research into practical applications. This is achieved through strong connections with academic machine learning research, a commitment to understanding client data and requirements, and seamless integration with client businesses.
・Generative AI Innovation: We launched a Generative AI solution to the market just as the field was gaining momentum, having initiated development in early 2022.
・Enterprise AI Solutions: We introduced FindFlow only six months after ChatGPT's release, enhancing the application of large language models for enterprise use and enabling access to private enterprise data with Generative AI.
・Pioneering Environmental AI: Recursive is the first Japanese company to employ Physics-Inspired Neural Networks for simulating environmental systems. We aim to use these methods to transform environmental management and promote renewable energy adoption. Learn more about this project by watching our presentation at the Google Cloud for Sustainability event.

Recursive’s Culture

Ultimately, the value of a company is the result of the collective actions of its passionate members. At Recursive we want to focus on creating an incredible working environment where talented individuals can come together to work hard on solving real-world problems.

When it comes to culture, we know that there is no way to suit everyone’s tastes. Almost everyone has a passion, but not all passions align. And the same is true for Recursive.
We aim to build a work environment that is ideal for a particular kind of person:
・Challenger Mentality: Those who like to solve hard problems and try to go beyond their current abilities
・Leadership: those who take the initiative and fix problems on their own
・Trust & Cooperation: those who seek to work with a team of talented individuals they can trust
・Impact: those who want to feel like their work is having impact on others/the world Recursive can only work when we take collaboration to be our top priority.

Our workplace has zero tolerance for harassment or toxic behavior, deliberate bad performance, as well as any behaviors that undermine the culture we wish to create. We will only be able to achieve the goals of closing more impactful projects, and achieving “kandou” for the ones we are executing, if all teams come together and collaborate.
We want to use our diversity of cultures and experiences as a strength instead of a weakness. Given that we are still a small company, everyone’s actions matter, and we place top priority in ensuring that our culture (i.e. the actions of our members) reflects our values.
That means that it is not enough to simply write down a document with what we believe our culture is, but in a nutshell, actively rewarding behaviors that are consistent with the culture and disincentivizing behaviors that go against the culture that we want to build.

Recursive’s Employment Framework

・Contract Structure: Recursive provides one year fixed term contracts for all new employees. The contracts are converted into permanent contracts upon new members meeting Recursive standards and contributing effectively to Recursive’s success.
・Flexible Work Hours: Recursive operates on a flex system with the core hours of 10:00 - 16:00. The flexible work hours fosters a supportive environment that accommodates diverse employee needs while ensuring effective team collaboration during core hours.
・Hybrid Work: Experience the best of both worlds with our hybrid work model, offering up to three days of remote work and two days in our Shibuya office.
・Comprehensive Leave Policy: Enjoy public holidays, winter break, 20 days of paid annual leave, 5 days of sick leave along with special leave for bereavement and paid parental care.
・Enriching Welfare Programs: Take advantage of our diverse welfare programs such as health insurance, annual health checkups, employee’s welfare pension, accident and unemployment insurance, paid parental leave, caregiving leave, babysitter voucher program, team-building allowances, skill development and language learning support, relocation assistance, and visa application support.
・Supportive Benefits: Access a range of benefits including commuting allowance, referral bonus, employee invention profit share program, and stock option plan for eligible roles.
・Open to Side Projects: While side jobs are generally not allowed, we are open to discussions based on individual circumstances, fostering a supportive and flexible work culture. Some of our members teach at universities, contribute to non-profit organizations, or engage in pet projects that improve their knowledge and skillsets.

Responsibilities

・Specialized AI/ML Pre-Sales Engagement: Act as the lead AI/ML technical strategist when pursuing new client opportunities, working with Account Executives to showcase Recursive’s most advanced AI capabilities from initial technical discussions through to technical win.
・Targeted AI Use-Case Discovery: Lead focused technical discovery sessions with prospective new clients to identify and validate high-impact, AI-driven use cases where your deep expertise in machine learning and data science can demonstrate unique value.
・Conceptual AI/ML Solutioning for Pre-Sales: Conceptualize and design innovative AI/ML-driven technical approaches and architectures for client proposals. This involves focusing on the art-of-the-possible with AI to capture client interest and validate initial technical direction.
・Hands-on Demo Development: Develop and iterate compelling, customized technical demonstrations. These assets will be to vividly illustrate the practical application and benefits of Recursive’s AI solutions.
・Expert AI/ML Presentations: Deliver persuasive and insightful technical presentations on Recursive’s AI technologies and proposed solutions to diverse audiences/clients, clearly articulating complex AI/ML concepts and their business implications.
・Addressing Advanced AI/ML Inquiries: Serve as the go-to expert for answering deep technical questions and overcoming objections related to AI, machine learning, data science, and model development from technically proficient stakeholders.
・Focused Technical Proposal Input for New Business: Develop the specialized AI/ML technical sections for project proposals and initial Statements of Work (SOWs). Collaborate with Account Executives and, as needed, the Solution Architect for input on broader system integration or company-wide architectural standards if they impact the proposed AI solution.
• AI/ML Application Knowledge: Maintain and continuously expand expert-level knowledge of state-of-the-art AI/ML research, advanced algorithms, and emerging tools. Your focus will be on identifying and applying innovative approaches that provide a distinct technical advantage.

Expectations

・Drive New Client Acquisition: Play a pivotal and proactive role in achieving and exceeding sales targets by providing decisive AI/ML technical expertise, compelling solution demonstrations, and robust POCs that directly lead to new client acquisitions.
・Deliver High-Impact Technical Engagements: Consistently develop and present exceptionally high-quality technical demonstrations that clearly resonate with prospective clients' needs, effectively differentiate Recursive's offerings, and accelerate decision-making.
・Articulate Compelling Business Value: Expertly translate complex AI/ML technical features, architectures, and algorithmic nuances into clear, tangible business value, ROI, and strategic advantages for a diverse range of prospective clients.
・Become a Trusted Technical Advisor: Rapidly establish strong credibility and build trusted relationships with key technical stakeholders and decision-makers within prospective client organizations, positioning yourself and Recursive as their preferred advisor on AI/ML solutions.
• Innovate and Solve Proactively: Anticipate potential technical hurdles and client concerns throughout the pre-sales process; proactively propose innovative solutions, workarounds, or alternative approaches to effectively overcome these challenges.
・Champion Effective Collaboration: Work seamlessly and constructively with Account Executives, the Solution Architect(s), and Engineering teams to ensure that proposed solutions are not only innovative and client-centric but also technically sound, well-scoped, and effectively transitioned for successful project delivery.

Qualifications

・Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Data Science, Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, or a closely related quantitative discipline.
・Proven experience (ideally 3-5+ years) as an AI/ML Specialist, Data Scientist, or in a similar deeply technical role, with a strong portfolio showcasing development of sophisticated AI/ML models and applications.
・Programming skills, particularly in Python, and hands-on experience with major AI/ML libraries and frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, LangChain, JAX, Hugging Face).
・Demonstrable experience in client-facing technical roles.
・Ability to translate complex AI/ML concepts into clear, compelling business value for diverse audiences, including C-level executives and technical experts.
・Track record of successfully leading technical discovery, architecting innovative solutions, and delivering impactful technical demonstrations in a commercial or enterprise context.
・Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, combined with sound business judgment to align technical solutions with client objectives.
・A proactive, highly motivated, and collaborative mindset, with a passion for achieving results in a dynamic, sales-oriented environment.
・Keen interest in applying AI to solve significant real-world challenges, particularly in line with Recursive's mission.
・Professional working proficiency in both English and Japanese (JLPT N1 or equivalent) is essential for effective client engagement and internal teamwork.

Interview Process

We aim to make the hiring process smooth and transparent. The typical interview steps are as follows:

1. First Interview
2. Second Interview
3. Presentation
4. Final Interview