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Vertical Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Goodfire is a research company focused on AI interpretability, and they are seeking a Vertical Lead to own and scale a vertical. This role involves architecting novel solutions, leading a team of ...

They are seeking a Vertical Lead to own and scale a vertical, translating their platform into solutions and products while managing partner relationships and leading a team of engineers and research ...

Vertical Lead

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$250K - $375K/yr

About the role We're looking for a Vertical Lead to own and scale a vertical. This role demands an unusual range: the technical depth to architect novel solutions, the leadership to direct a team of ...

About the role We're looking for a Vertical Lead to own and scale a vertical. This role demands an unusual range: the technical depth to architect novel solutions, the leadership to direct a team of ...

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Vertical information

See California salary details

$15

$29

$38

How much do vertical jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for vertical in California is $29.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.14 and $32.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a vertical?

Vertical jobs refer to positions within a specific industry or sector, often known as a 'vertical market.' These jobs focus on specialized knowledge and skills tailored to that industry, such as healthcare, finance, or technology. People working in verticals typically have expertise and experience unique to their chosen field, allowing them to address industry-specific challenges and opportunities. Companies often organize their sales, marketing, and operations around verticals to better serve the needs of particular market segments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in vertical market roles?

Professionals in vertical market roles often face the challenge of deeply understanding the unique needs, regulations, and trends within a specific industry segment. This requires ongoing research and adaptability as each vertical can have rapidly changing customer demands and compliance standards. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as product development and sales, is essential to tailor solutions and maintain competitiveness. Additionally, building strong relationships with clients within the vertical is key for long-term success and career advancement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Vertical Marketing Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vertical Marketing Manager, you need deep industry expertise, strong analytical abilities, and a background in marketing or business, often supported by a relevant degree. Experience with CRM platforms, marketing automation tools, and data analytics systems is typically required. Outstanding communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking skills help you tailor campaigns and build relationships within the target industry. These skills ensure effective market positioning, drive growth in specialized sectors, and foster successful partnerships.

What is the difference between Vertical vs Horizontal?

AspectVerticalHorizontal
FocusSpecialized industry or market segmentBroader skill set across multiple functions
Work EnvironmentIndustry-specific settingsCross-industry or multi-departmental
CredentialsIndustry certifications, specialized trainingGeneral skills, versatile certifications
UsageCareer advancement within a specific industryCareer diversification or lateral moves

Vertical roles focus on deep expertise within a specific industry or market segment, often requiring specialized credentials. Horizontal roles emphasize broad skills across multiple functions or industries, enabling versatility. Understanding these differences helps professionals choose career paths aligned with their goals and skill sets.

What are the most commonly searched types of Vertical jobs in California?

The most popular types of Vertical jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Vertical jobs in California?

For Vertical jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Vertical jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Vertical jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Vertical jobs?

Cities in California with the most Vertical job openings:

Infographic showing various Vertical job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,443 per year, or $29.1 per hour.

Vertical Lead

Goodfire

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Goodfire is a research company focused on AI interpretability, and they are seeking a Vertical Lead to own and scale a vertical. This role involves architecting novel solutions, leading a team of engineers and researchers, and managing partner relationships to translate frontier research into real-world impact.
Responsibilities:
โ€ข Build and scale a vertical or domain: prove product-market fit, define solutions, win new prospects, and drive sustained growth
โ€ข Own technical delivery: direct what we build and ensure it solves real problems for partners
โ€ข Manage partnerships end-to-end: from initial scoping and sale, to delivering value and demonstrating impact, to securing renewals and expanding accounts
โ€ข Lead a forward-deployed Field Team of engineers and research scientists to deliver technical solutions
โ€ข Shape the platform into solutions: translate frontier interpretability research into repeatable products, platforms, or services that our deeply technical partners (Heads of AI, Heads of Research, CTOs) will want to buy
Qualifications:
Required:
โ€ข Strong ability to combine technical fluency, product intuition, and customer understanding into high value, repeatable solutions.
โ€ข Strong technical fluency and experience leading cross-functional, technical teams.
โ€ข Strong understanding of modern AI technology.
โ€ข Scrappiness, willingness to persist in ambiguity, ability to learn quickly, and a generalist 'can-do' mindset.
Preferred:
โ€ข Experience as a founder, general manager or highly field facing product manager or engineering manager.
โ€ข Deep domain experience in a vertical where companies are training models (or attempting to). Come with a perspective - we want to hear it!
โ€ข Technical degree or equivalent professional experience within AI or Research
โ€ข Track record of excellence in a high growth startup.
โ€ข Experience working with frontier or open source models and understanding of model training.
Company:
Goodfire is an AI research lab using interpretability to turn AI into something that can be understood, debugged, and shaped like software Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.