AI Applied Scientist

About the role

We’re looking for applied scientists with a Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence background to build AI technologies and make Figma products more magical. You will be driving fundamental and applied research in this area. You will be combining industry best practices and a first-principles approach to design and build AI/ML models and systems to improve Figma’s products.

Responsibilities

• You will be driving fundamental and applied research in AI. You will explore the boundaries of what is possible with the current technology set to build best in class models for Figma’s domains
• You will be combining industry best practices and a first-principles approach to build cutting edge Generative AI models, using techniques like Supervised Finetuning (SFT), Reinforcement Learning (RL), prompt improvements and synthetic data generation
• Work in concert with product and infrastructure engineers to improve Figma’s products through AI powered features
• Collaborate closely with product managers and engineers to transform user feedback into requirements for AI systems
• Build evaluation systems to measure and improve quality of AI features in Figma products

Requirements

• Extensive experience in building generative AI features through prompt engineering, and fine tuning models in production environments
• Experience working on deep learning and generative AI frameworks like PyTorch, JAX, HuggingFace etc
• Experience training LLMs with Reinforcement Learning techniques such as preference-based RL (DPO, PPO) and/or RL with verifiable rewards (RLVR) such as GRPO/DAPO. Experience with RL from execution feedback for Coding, and RL with non-verifiable rewards will be a plus
• 4+ years in Generative AI, and 6+ years of experience in one or more of the following areas: machine learning, natural language processing/understanding, computer vision
• Strong software engineering skills with 5+ years of experience in programming languages (Python, C++, Java or R)
• Experience communicating and working across functions to drive solutions

Qualifications

• Proven track record of planning multi-year roadmap in which shorter-term projects ladder to the long-term vision
• Experience in mentoring/influencing senior engineers across organizations
• Expertise working on large scale and distributed AI training

Skills

• Extensive experience in building generative AI features through prompt engineering, and fine tuning models in production environments
• Experience working on deep learning and generative AI frameworks like PyTorch, JAX, HuggingFace etc
• Experience training LLMs with Reinforcement Learning techniques such as preference-based RL (DPO, PPO) and/or RL with verifiable rewards (RLVR) such as GRPO/DAPO. Experience with RL from execution feedback for Coding, and RL with non-verifiable rewards will be a plus
• Strong software engineering skills with 5+ years of experience in programming languages (Python, C++, Java or R)
• Experience communicating and working across functions to drive solutions

Benefits

• Figma offers equity to employees, as well a competitive package of additional benefits, including health, dental & vision, retirement with company contribution, parental leave & reproductive or family planning support, mental health & wellness benefits, generous PTO, company recharge days, a learning & development stipend, a work from home stipend, and cell phone reimbursement.
• Figma also offers sales incentive pay for most sales roles and an annual bonus plan for eligible non-sales roles.

Pay

If based in Figma’s San Francisco or New York hub offices, this role has the annual base salary range stated below.

Annual Base Salary Range: $153,000 - $376,000 USD

Schedule

This is a full time role that can be held from one of our US hubs or remotely in the United States.