Senior Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Summary

Join Upwork's AI team as a Sr. Lead AI/ML Engineer and shape high-level AI strategy while executing mission-critical AI systems. Lead the design and implementation of cutting-edge AI functionalities, mentor team members, and drive collaboration across teams. This role involves transformative machine learning projects, influencing business outcomes, and contributing to AI research. You will design and implement robust data and modeling infrastructure, lead a team of engineers, and drive the productionization of AI models. Upwork offers a remote-first work environment with comprehensive benefits, including medical insurance, unlimited paid time off, a 401(k) plan, parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Requirements

• Expertise in Python and deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
• Comprehensive understanding of foundational deep learning, machine learning concepts, and state-of-the-art GenAI models
• Hands-on experience training custom LLMs on GPUs and working with Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems
• Strong proficiency with cloud ecosystems and deploying machine learning models in cloud environments
• Proven track record of building production pipelines for modern AI systems
• Experience working in R&D environments, translating novel ideas from concept to production
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a passion for applying new technologies in dynamic settings
• Collaborative mindset with strong communication skills to convey technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Comfort with complex mathematical or statistical concepts and a keen interest in theoretical aspects of deep learning
• Publications in leading AI/ML conferences or journals such as NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, CVPR, ECCV, ICCV, AAAI, ACL, or similar

Responsibilities

• Design and implement robust data and modeling infrastructure to enable complex AI use cases, such as multi-agent LLM pipelines
• Lead a team of engineers to build and maintain multi-faceted infrastructure for advanced AI technologies
• Mentor and support junior engineers and researchers, promoting best practices in AI engineering and research
• Communicate effectively with cross-functional leaders and stakeholders, ensuring clear progress updates and alignment across engineering and non-engineering teams
• Conduct novel research to develop custom AI models and techniques, solving challenging problems and enhancing Upwork's AI capabilities
• Drive the productionization of AI models, ensuring seamless deployment in live systems

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical insurance coverage for both you and your family
• Unlimited paid time off
• A 401(k) plan with matching contributions
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• An Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Annual bonus plan or sales incentive plan
• Eligibility to participate in our long term equity incentive program