Hi, I'm Nikhil.
Senior TPM at Mercor (Forbes AI 50) — I run the human-data and evaluation programs that make leading AI models better.
My core work is program management at the frontier of AI: I take fast-moving, loosely-defined goals and turn them into structured programs, coordinated expert teams, and delivered results for leading AI labs. Around that, I'm a generalist — I advise others breaking into AI, consult, and write about how this all actually works. And beyond work, I draw, chase quiet escapes, and try to live intentionally.
Senior Technical Program Manager @ Mercor · Bangalore, India · Remote
About
A little about me
I'm a Senior TPM at Mercor (Forbes AI 50), working on the practical side of AI — helping some of the world's largest tech companies build and evaluate better models.
In under a year I grew from TPM to Senior TPM, going from building analytics systems to running expert programs for leading AI labs. My work is all about execution: taking complex technical problems, turning them into structured programs, and helping teams deliver them at scale. Today I help run human-data and model-evaluation programs involving 500+ experts.
My background blends business strategy with technical problem-solving. I'm also a heavy AI power-user — Cursor and LLMs are central to how I plan and work. Earlier I delivered enterprise ERP/CTRM programs at iRely and started out at OpenText. BE in Information Technology, Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Bangalore.
Where I work
Currently at Mercor
Mercor is the data and evaluation backbone of frontier AI — a two-sided marketplace connecting the world's leading AI labs with top domain experts for model training, evaluation, and red-teaming. It's one of the fastest-growing AI companies in history.
My role: I run the human-data and evaluation programs that directly serve these labs.
★ Trusted by the world's top AI labs and 6 of the 7 “Magnificent 7” — including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta.
◆ Backed by Felicis, Benchmark, and General Catalyst, with investors including Peter Thiel and Jack Dorsey.
Resume
Experience & skills
Senior Technical Program Manager · Mercor (Forbes AI 50)
Jun 2025 — PresentRemote — Bangalore, India
- Own human-data, model-training, and evaluation programs end to end for leading AI labs.
- Turn loosely-defined research goals into structured programs, coordinating 500+ experts and cross-functional teams.
- Built operational systems now used as the company-wide standard as the org scaled.
- Promoted twice in under a year (TPM → TPM-2 → Senior TPM).
Business Consultant · iRely
Sep 2023 — Jun 2025Bengaluru, India
- Owned CTRM implementations end-to-end for global clients, from requirements to go-live.
- Delivered 50+ demos and trainings and coordinated 100+ cross-functional meetings, reducing development rework by 20%.
R&D Software Intern · OpenText
Feb 2023 — Aug 2023Bengaluru, India
- Supported network compliance and monitoring products in an agile team.
- Drove testing across 20+ REST APIs while maintaining a 95% on-time delivery rate.
Recommendations
What people say
“Nikhil's a high agency, authentic, and bright member of the team. He has a can-do attitude about any challenge and is always a person I turn to to make sure a job is done well. Nikhil has rolled out scalable systems that are now widely adopted as best practice at Mercor and is a true pleasure to work / learn with.”
Account Lead, Mercor
“Nikhil has been working with me on one of the CTRM projects and I can confidently say that he is a valuable team member to have. He has a good understanding of the client's business and applies logical thinking to address day-to-day problems — skills that are important to have as a consultant. What I really appreciate is his quality of work, which speaks volumes about his dedication and commitment to doing good work. I'm sure he will continue to bring value to the table as he has so far.”
Project Lead, iRely
Writing
Recent dispatches
The Quiet Variable
Last week I almost shipped something I knew was wrong. On fluency versus rightness, why the stupid questions hide the good work, and learning to trust your taste over the machine.
Read →Turning ambiguity into programs
How I take a fast-moving, loosely-defined goal and turn it into a structured program that actually ships — the mental model I use every day at the frontier of AI.
Read →Let's talk
Book a session with me
Book a 1:1 session with me on Topmate — for AI program management, breaking into frontier AI, LLM training & strategy, or career advice. Ask me anything, free.
30 min video call
15 min video call
Ask me anything · replies in ~2 days
“I had a great conversation with Nikhil. He was very approachable, insightful and had a strong understanding of project management and the role demands for.”