Sr Manager, Applied Science, Alexa Connections

Amazon; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 385,000 - 645,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tech company in Metro Vancouver is seeking a Senior Manager of Applied Science to lead teams in developing large-scale AI solutions. This role focuses on building LLM-powered features and requires expertise in machine learning and team leadership. Candidates should have experience in handling data sets and automating processes. The company offers competitive compensation ranging from $278,500 to $465,100 annually, ensuring a robust benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience driving applied science projects end-to-end.
• Ability to conduct deep analyses on large data sets.
• Experience designing and maintaining scalable ML models.

Responsibilities

• Elevate the team’s scientific and technical rigor.
• Identify and implement best-in-class algorithms and methodologies.
• Grow talents and foster a culture of excellence.

Skills

Applied science project management

Machine learning expertise

Analytical skills

Team leadership

Natural language processing

Education

Experience building large-scale ML solutions

Experience in people management

Job description

Description

The Alexa Connections team is building the worlds most trusted AI assistant, that helps get things done and creates moments of joy. We build LLM-powered, next-generation communication features that help customers connect within the household with features like announcements and drop‑In, and with people they care about with features like calling, emailing and texting. Using GenAI we proactively personalise every single connection moment whether its connecting with grandparents or communicating with kids teachers, and you can do it all hands free with Alexa!

We are hiring a mature Sr. Manager of Applied Science who is an entrepreneurial big thinker that invents and then biases towards action to solve highest priority customer problems. Our portfolio initiative range from highly confidential innovations to data driven quality problems that needs sciences solutions. You will be leading a team of scientists and partnering with product, engineering and design organizations to building on the latest AGI/LLM systems.

If you are holding out for an opportunity to:

• Join a leadership group that moves fast towards big audacious goals
• Lead an organization to balance solving towards problems while working towards the long term vision
• Be surrounded by super passionate mission driven colleagues who will challenge you to grow every day
• Solve difficult challenges using your expertise in science to invest practical solutions
• Create applications at a massive scale used by millions of people
• Work with AGI/LLM systems to deliver real experiences, not just research

And you are experienced with…

• Driving applied science projects end-to-end from ideation, analysis, prototyping, development, metrics, and monitoring
• Conducting deep analyses on massive user and contextual data sets
• Proposing viable modeling ideas to advance optimisation or efficiency, with supporting argument, data, or, preferably, preliminary results
• Designing, developing, and maintaining scalable ML models and LLM's with automated training, validation, monitoring and reporting
• Staying familiar with the field and apply state-of-the-art ML techniques to NLP and related optimisation problems
• Publishing peer‑reviewed scientific papers in top journals and conferences

And you constantly look for opportunities to…

• Innovate, simplify, reduce waste, and increase efficiency
• Use data to make decisions and validate assumptions
• Automate processes otherwise performed by humans
• Learn from others and help those around you grow

...then lets chat!

Key job responsibilities

As a senior leader, you will play a critical role in elevating the team’s scientific and technical rigor, identifying and implementing best‑in‑class algorithms, methodologies, and infrastructure that enable rapid experimentation and scaling. You will establish a long‑term vision for continued scientific innovation, setting strategic goals to future‑proof the organization’s technical stacks and ML/LLM frameworks to support new and emerging business objectives. Additionally, you will grow talents, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous learning to enhance the organization’s ability to solve complex problems.

Basic Qualifications

• Experience building large‑scale machine learning and AI solutions at Internet scale
• Experience distilling informal customer requirements into problem definitions, dealing with ambiguity and competing objectives
• Experience in people management

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with big data, machine learning and predictive modelling
• Experience in practical work applying ML to solve complex problems for large scale applications
• Experience in leading teams for developing natural language processing or dialogue management systems (like commercial speech products or government speech projects)

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary for this position ranges from $278,500/year up to $465,100/year. Salary is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign‑on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.