Lead Machine Learning Engineer, Ads Research

Lead Machine Learning Engineer for ad platforms at Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology, steering generative AI and traditional ML across advertising products to enhance marketplace operations and experiences.

Responsibilities

• Build, optimize, and productionize cutting edge generative AI technologies (covering mixed media, video, and agentic LLM applications) alongside traditional ML models.
• Prototype, evaluate, and continuously improve AI capabilities to address advertising challenges.
• Apply state of the art AI/ML across domains such as inventory forecasting, ad experience, pacing, pricing, targeting, and efficient delivery.
• Invent and iterate on novel solutions with rapid prototyping and deployment cycles for complex ad problems.
• Design, build, and scale robust ML systems that power core ad platform capabilities.
• Champion engineering excellence through best practices in code quality, system design, and operational reliability.
• Mentor and support junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience developing, researching, or productionizing generative AI modeling or AI based editing domains such as image, video, mixed media, audio, LLMs, or agentic flows; examples include diffusion or flow models or similar techniques.
• Strong motivation to self teach via publications and training resources in generative modeling, including generative video and diffusion modeling.
• Experience creating ML datasets (especially in computer vision or generative AI) or establishing rigorous quality evaluation and data labeling processes; appreciation for rigorous quality assessment.
• Experience developing language processing applications using LLMs or agentic flows.
• Experience in rapid creative prototyping with generative AI is a plus, with examples from research labs or hackathons.
• Minimum 7 years of hands-on experience building and deploying large scale machine learning systems.
• Strong knowledge of AI/ML technologies, mathematics, and statistics.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with both technical and non technical audiences.
• Solid foundations in algorithms, data structures, and numerical optimization; proficient in Python (primary), Java, and SQL.
• Familiarity with deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Jax, and HuggingFace libraries.
• Expert knowledge of traditional (tabular) ML modeling and methods.
• Proven proficiency in deep learning methodologies, fine tuning, and transformer architectures.
• Track record of thriving in a fast paced, data driven, collaborative environment.
• Experience collaborating with UX and front end designers to build production generative AI products.

Technologies

• Python
• Java
• SQL
• TensorFlow
• PyTorch
• Jax
• Hugging libraries

Benefits

• Bonus and/or long term incentive units
• Medical benefits
• Financial benefits

Nice to Have

• MS or PhD in computer science or equivalent experience (preferred)
• Experience with multimodal models and embedding techniques
• Computer vision or visual content understanding experience
• Experience in digital video advertising or digital marketing domain
• Diffusion model or generative AI controls research experience, or strong interest to learn

Location

Seattle / Santa Monica / Glendale (onsite)

Salary

USD 171,600 - 241,000 per yearly