The proposed founding package

What the numbers mean

The $1M figure is the proposed starting annual gross base salary for a selected full-time founding scientist appointment—not a sign-on payment. The $10M+ figure is a proposed milestone-based bonus opportunity, separate from base pay—not an automatic annual bonus or a payment for applying. Higher packages may be negotiated for exceptional scope and responsibility. No numerical upper limit or equity value is established here.

What must be settled before an offer

Metric Flight is a research venture in formation. These are proposed terms, conditional on secured funding and an executed employment or engagement agreement. This page does not establish funded headcount or a binding offer. The agreement must specify the employing entity, location, start date, role, base pay schedule, benefits, work authorization arrangements and any relocation terms. Contractor, advisor and part-time terms would be negotiated separately.

A bonus should reward trustworthy achievement

The proposed bonus framework uses pre-agreed technical milestones, documented evidence and independent review. It must never reward suppressing a null result or reporting a preferred interpretation. Examples below describe a framework, not allocated payouts.

• Instrument milestone: independently reviewed calibration, control performance and uncertainty requirements are met.
• Reproducibility milestone: a locked protocol and complete data package produce a result that an independent team can evaluate or repeat.
• Scientific milestone: an agreed question is resolved to the specified evidence standard, including a decisive null result where the agreement defines that outcome as qualifying.
• Translation milestone: later system performance is verified against an agreed requirement, only if earlier scientific gates justify that work.

Put the payout mechanics in writing

Before work starts, specify the individual or team award, total amount, whether milestones are cumulative or alternative, evidence thresholds, reviewer independence, payment timing, funding commitment and treatment of partial completion. Define dispute resolution, changes in scope, termination, attribution, tax withholding and any recovery provisions. A $10M+ opportunity is not a promised payout without those terms. No equity, benefits or relocation amount is included in the advertised numbers.

Ask the funding question

Candidates should ask what financing is secured, which appointments it supports and what conditions remain. Recruitment conversations may begin before a funded offer exists; candidates should not resign or incur relocation costs on the strength of this page. The purpose is to start a serious conversation with people capable of owning the work.