Lead Machine Learning Engineer, Ads Research
About the role
Ad Platforms is responsible for Disney’s industry-leading ad technology and products – driving advertising performance, innovation, and value in Disney’s sports, news, and entertainment content, across all media platforms.
Responsibilities
- Develop, optimize, and productionize innovative technologies in generative AI (mixed media, video, and agentic LLM applications) as well as in traditional ML modeling applications.
- Create, evaluate, improve, optimize technologies.
- Drive innovation and apply state of the art AI and machine learning across advertising domains, including inventory forecasting, ad experience, ad pacing, pricing, targeting, and efficient ad delivery.
- Invent and iterate on novel solutions to complex advertising challenges with rapid prototyping and deployment cycles.
- 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 in computer science or equivalent experience.
- Prior experience rigorously developing, researching, and/or productionizing any of the following generative AI modeling or AI-based editing domains: image, video, mixed media, audio, LLMs, or agentic flows.
- Experience creating ML datasets (especially in computer vision or generative AI) or developing rigorous quality evaluation processes or data labeling processes. Must include an appreciation for the importance of rigorous quality evaluation processes.
- Experience developing language-processing applications via LLMs or agentic flows.
- Experience in rapid creative prototyping with generative AI is a plus, such as examples of rapid development of creative generative AI prototyping in research labs, hackathons, etc.
- Minimum 7 years of hands-on experience developing and deploying large-scale machine learning systems.
- Strong knowledge of AI/ML technologies, mathematics and statistics.
- Excellent communication, collaboration skills, and a strong teamwork ethic with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong foundations in algorithms, data structures, and numerical optimization with experience in programming languages such as Python (primary), Java and SQL.
- Familiarity with deep learning tools and frameworks such as TensorFlow, Pytorch, Jax, Hugging libraries etc.
- Expert knowledge with traditional (tabular) ML modeling and methods.
- Proven proficiency in deep learning methodologies, fine tuning, and transformer architectures.
- A proven track record of thriving in a fast-paced, data-driven, and collaborative work environment.
- Experience working closely with UX and front end designers building production generative AI products.
Qualifications
- Nice-to-haves include:
- MS or PhD (preferred) in computer science or equivalent experience.
- Experience with multimodal models and embedding techniques.
- Computer vision or visual content understanding experience.
- Experience in digital video advertising or digital marketing domain.
Skills
- Technical skills in AI/ML technologies, mathematics and statistics.
- Programming languages such as Python (primary), Java and SQL.
- Deep learning tools and frameworks such as TensorFlow, Pytorch, Jax, Hugging libraries etc.
- Expert knowledge with traditional (tabular) ML modeling and methods.
- Deep learning methodologies, fine tuning, and transformer architectures.
Benefits
Not specified.
Pay
Base pay range: $171,600 to $230,100 per year in Santa Monica, CA and $179,700 to $241,000 per year in Seattle.
Schedule
Not specified.
Location
Seattle / Santa Monica / Glendale
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
Disability Accommodation for Employment Applications
Having technical issues? View the FAQs for help.
Hiring Process
Where Does Your Story Begin? Explore Disney Careers and the Life at Disney blog to learn about all the amazing opportunities waiting to be discovered at The Walt Disney Company. Be Part of the Story There are many different brands and businesses to explore. Once you've found the opportunity that is right for you, take the next step by completing your application. The Next Chapter Once you've applied, you will receive an email allowing you to access your candidate dashboard. Create your login and make sure to check your dashboard often to see your application progress.
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