DeepSeek Urgently Seeks Product Talent to Advance AI Experience with Open-Source Models

DeepSeek, the Chinese AI startup that has shaken the industry with its innovative and cost-effective large language models (LLMs), is expanding its focus from research to commercialization. The company, founded in 2023 by entrepreneur Liang Wenfeng, recently posted an urgent job notice on its official WeChat account seeking candidates for a product and design role. The positions, available in Beijing and Hangzhou, aim to develop the "next generation of intelligent product experience" centered around LLMs. While it's unclear if the job posting covers a single role or multiple positions, the urgency suggests the company is actively scaling its product development efforts. DeepSeek’s job posting emphasizes the need for candidates with experience in product management and proficiency in both product and visual design. The company is also recruiting for a chief financial officer (CFO) and chief operating officer (COO), though these positions are not marked as urgent. Additionally, DeepSeek is expanding its research and engineering teams, indicating a multifaceted approach to growth. The shift to a more commercial orientation is significant for DeepSeek, which has primarily concentrated on fundamental AI research. In March, the company released an updated version of its open-source V3 LLM, enhancing its reasoning and coding capabilities. DeepSeek first garnered attention in January with the unveiling of R1, a low-cost reasoning model that claimed to rival OpenAI’s GPT-4. This model, along with its upcoming R2, which is set to launch later this month or in May, represents a pivotal moment in China’s AI development. Industry analysts highlight the strategic importance of DeepSeek’s models, particularly R1 and R2. According to Wei Sun, a principal analyst at Counterpoint Research, these models not only match global benchmarks in performance but are also available under the highly permissive MIT License. This open-sourcing approach contrasts sharply with the typical closed-sourced models in the U.S., which are often monetized through APIs or enterprise licensing. The accessibility of DeepSeek’s models means they can be freely downloaded, modified, and integrated by businesses and developers worldwide. DeepSeek has been strategic in leveraging its models. Tencent, one of China’s leading tech giants, has deployed DeepSeek’s R1 model and its own Hunyuan model across its vast ecosystem, including the popular social media app WeChat, which boasts nearly 1.4 billion users. Similarly, Baidu has integrated R1 into its search engine, further amplifying DeepSeek’s impact. Despite its growing influence, DeepSeek has remained relatively secretive about the specifics of its R2 model. The company’s founder, Liang Wenfeng, has emphasized creativity and passion over experience in his hiring philosophy. In a 2023 interview with the Chinese tech publication 36KR, Liang stated that "basic skills, creativity, and passion are much more important" than extensive industry experience. He noted that many of the company’s core technical roles are filled by recent graduates or individuals with just a few years of experience, highlighting a commitment to fostering innovation and fresh perspectives. This focus on product management and design aligns with a broader trend in the AI industry. In the United States, product managers are becoming increasingly crucial as they help bridge the gap between advanced AI technologies and practical user applications. Frank Fusco, CEO of Silicon Society, a software company, observed that the future belongs to product managers who can navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI. OpenAI, for instance, has several product manager positions open in New York and San Francisco, while Anthropic is hiring for numerous product-related roles. However, this emphasis on product management is not universal. Microsoft, for example, is shifting towards increasing the number of engineers relative to product managers, aiming to balance different expertise within its team. Companies like Airbnb and Snap are also reassessing their need for product managers, reflecting ongoing debates about the optimal team structure in the AI-driven era. Industry insiders view DeepSeek’s expansion into product management and design as a smart move. By bringing in professionals who can translate cutting-edge research into usable products, the company is positioning itself to capitalize on the growing demand for accessible and affordable AI solutions. This strategy could further solidify DeepSeek’s role as a key player in the global AI market, particularly given the open-sourced nature of its models and the strategic partnerships it has formed with major Chinese tech firms. Industry Insights and Company Profile DeepSeek’s approach to open-sourcing its models has been praised by industry experts for its potential to accelerate innovation and reduce barriers to entry in the AI field. The company’s focus on hiring creative and passionate individuals over seasoned veterans reflects a belief in fostering a dynamic and forward-thinking work environment. With the integration of its models into platforms like WeChat and Baidu, DeepSeek is demonstrating its ability to scale its technology and impact a broad user base. As the AI industry continues to evolve, DeepSeek’s unique strategy could position it as a leader in both research and commercial application, making it a notable player to watch in the global tech landscape.