Vinod Khosla Posts 12‑Hour Chief‑of‑Staff Role in Menlo Park, Calls for 80‑Hour Workweeks

Vinod Khosla, the 71‑year‑old co‑founder of Sun Microsystems, posted a chief‑of‑staff opening in Menlo Park on 20 March 2024. The job calls for an 8‑am‑to‑8‑pm schedule, with “around‑the‑clock availability” including nights and weekends. The posting, which does not disclose a salary, promises the successful candidate a front‑row seat to Khosla’s portfolio, evaluating investments and working with founders across AI, software and climate tech.

The advertisement sparked a fierce debate across Silicon Valley, with some commentators calling it a “three‑year surrender agreement” and others joking that the role would force candidates to forgo their families. Social‑media threads ran from memes about “good‑bye to wife and kids” to more thoughtful comments about the potential for high‑impact careers.

Khosla himself posted a clarification on his own feed, saying “the role has no specific hour requirement but is intense. I work 80 hours a week, and the person needs to keep up.” He added that the position is “fun” and “fulfilling” for those who want to build “awesome things” with a relentless mission.

The job fits into Khosla’s broader strategy of investing in high‑risk, high‑reward ventures, a path that has already produced bets on OpenAI, DoorDash and Instacart. His reputation for blunt public commentary—such as his June 2024 tirade against Stanford students protesting Google—has only amplified the media attention surrounding the posting.

Candidates are expected to work in person at Khosla’s Menlo Park office, and the firm will shortlist applicants by 5 April 2024. The selected chief‑of‑staff will join Khosla’s team next month, after an interview process that will include a review of each applicant’s track record and vision for the future of technology.