Business Analyst for AI Startup

About Makai

Makai uses best-in-class AI and data to solve real-world operational and strategic challenges at scale. Our Makai Automation Platform consists of a library of pre-built components and modules to facilitate enterprise automation via a unified human-machine teaming interface. Until now, people have had to learn and adapt to software. Makai creates solutions that adapt to people as technology will never be 100% accurate. People are essential for all of our human-machine teaming solutions, as they serve as the final firewall for accuracy and quality.

About the role

Makai Labs is seeking a talented and highly adaptable Business Analyst to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for supporting several areas of our lifecycle with new clients:

• You will support the initial discovery process to understand how our clients do their work currently, capturing interview notes and parsing through their existing documentation, as well as documenting their present-day workflows and any associated files and data into comprehensive process diagrams.

• During discovery, you will support the engineering team in understanding and documenting the current IT infrastructure and systems that our clients’ employees use to do their work. If the opportunity presents itself, you will also have the ability to assist the engineering team in building prototypes that align with the early vision of a business solution.

• Once discovery is completed, you will support the team in solutions design and the testing and refinement of these new features with a select group of representative users.

• Once the build is ready to pilot, you will participate in training new users on how to use the platform and capturing any feedback from users as they interact with it for the first time, owning a living roadmap of the build.

• Once the solution launches, you will provide support for quickly resolving any issues our users encounter, as well as add items to the product backlog for any enhancements that can deliver better usability and functionality for our clients’ teams.

As a key player in these engagements, you will work closely with engineers, designers, product managers, and other stakeholders—both internal and client-facing—to drive innovation and problem-solving.

This role is an excellent fit for someone aspiring to grow into a Product Manager position, offering an opportunity to expand your skillset and impact the development of a new product.

The ideal candidate will be able to:

• Exhibit strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex issues and data in a clear, concise manner.

• Show excellence in documenting workflows into comprehensive process diagrams, with process mining experience being a huge plus.

• Demonstrate experience in creating functional specifications for software development projects.

• Think critically and creatively, using data to inform decisions and build impactful solutions.

• Work in an agile environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams to resolve issues and improve processes.

• Display project management skills, with the ability to self-manage, prioritize and juggle multiple tasks effectively.

• Thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Understand and analyze the user journey of our clients, creating process flows to identify areas of opportunity for improvement and enhancement.

• Work to integrate existing technology developed by Makai into new client processes where applicable.

• Collaborate with designers and product managers to develop and refine product ideas and features.

• Lead client meetings, ensuring clear communication and follow-ups to address evolving needs and requirements.

• Create and write functional specifications for all phases of the software development lifecycle.

• Effectively communicate complex problems and analysis in both written and verbal forms, offering clear and actionable recommendations.

• Develop and implement testing initiatives for product features, assessing their performance against core KPIs that align with business goals.

• Maintain clear communication with internal teams and external partners to provide product support and meet internal deadlines.

• Handle ad-hoc high-priority requests and work cross-functionally to meet tight deadlines and provide top-tier user support.

• Adapt to fast-paced environments, demonstrating a willingness to take on various roles as needed.

• Utilize creative thinking, combining quantitative and qualitative data to contribute to innovative solutions.

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in a business analyst, financial analyst, or computer science role

• Experience working in Jira or Azure DevOps (or similar platforms) within an Agile framework

• The ability to prioritize quickly in a fast-paced environment

• Proficiency in product lifecycle management processes and tools

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Operate with a sense of urgency and accountability

• Possess a curiosity around the growing technology landscape

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with SaaS, AI, or ML projects and/or experience with technical implementation

Core values for Makai employees

• Have a strong work ethic. As a member of a fully remote team, it is very important that you can self-manage and drive your own work towards consistent excellence in a timely manner.

• Be self-sufficient and self-driven with an ownership mentality, no matter your role

• Be a flexible thinker

• Be congenial and a team player

• Always be of service to each other and our clients, partners, and neighbors

Benefits

• Fully remote role

• Opportunities to work in-person with local colleagues

• Generous PTO

• Full health insurance premium reimbursement

• 401(k) matching

• Career growth & development opportunities