AI companies are increasingly using a job title that says little about a specific role: “Member of Technical Staff.”
LinkedIn data shows U.S. hiring into these roles grew 38% in 2025 and is on pace to increase another 58% in 2026. The title is often used for technical employees whose responsibilities span areas such as engineering, research and product.
One Title Covers Multiple Technical Roles
The growing use of the title points to demand for employees who can work across different technical problems rather than remain within a narrowly defined function.
A data scientist or engineer may be hired for a specific role but later move into a Member of Technical Staff position as their responsibilities expand. The broader title can give companies more flexibility to move technical talent toward their most pressing problems.
The roles are also concentrated among a small group of companies. About 45% of U.S. LinkedIn members with the title work at just 10 companies.
Versatility Comes With A High Price Tag
Member of Technical Staff roles are among the highest-paying positions in the emerging AI economy, with typical listed base pay of about $223,000.
That compares with roughly $177,000 across AI job postings overall, suggesting companies are willing to pay a premium for technical employees who can take on a wider range of problems.
The growth of the title offers an early indication of how AI companies are defining technical talent: increasingly around the ability to move between problems and contribute wherever the business needs technical expertise.
