Backend/ML Engineer

LG Electronics; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

No-cost health premiums for employees

401(k) with company matching

Generous PTO

Performance-based incentives

Mental health resources

Parental leave

Group life and disability insurance

Job summary

LG Electronics is seeking a backend-focused AI/ML engineer to support fast-moving PoC projects. You will build backend APIs, data pipelines, and third-party AI integrations, turning ideas into working prototypes.

You will work in ambiguity, document findings, and collaborate with stakeholders to shape early product direction. Strong communication and self-direction are essential.

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of software engineering experience.
• Experience building REST APIs (FastAPI, Flask).
• Familiarity with LLM APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini).
• Working knowledge of SQL and at least one non-relational data store.
• Comfortable working from loosely defined requirements and moving forward without waiting to be told.
• Clear written communicator; can explain technical findings to a non-engineering audience.
• Self-directed — raises blockers early and communicates status without being asked.

Responsibilities

• Build and iterate on backend APIs and data pipelines for AI/ML PoC projects, moving fast from idea to working prototype.
• Integrate third-party AI services and models (LLMs, embedding models, vision, speech) across product domains.
• Work with stakeholders to understand goals, identify gaps, and document decisions.
• Set up and run evaluations across AI providers and models, summarize findings clearly.
• Contribute ideas to early-stage product and feature discussions.
• Document technical findings and decisions clearly enough for the broader team to act on.
• Juggle multiple concurrent workstreams and communicate progress and blockers.

Skills

Software engineering experience

Clear communication

Self-directed

Tools

REST APIs

LLM APIs

SQL

Non-relational data stores

Job description

Step into the innovative world of LG Electronics. As a global leader in technology, LG Electronics is dedicated to creating innovative solutions for a better life. Our brand promise, 'Life's Good', embodies our commitment to ensuring a happier life for all. We have a rich history spanning over six decades and a global presence in over 290 locations.Our diverse portfolio includes Home Appliance Solutions, Media Entertainment Solutions, Vehicle Solutions, and Eco Solutions. Our management philosophy, \"Jeong-do Management,\" embodies our commitment to high ethical standards and transparent operations. Grounded in the principles of 'Customer-Value Creation' and 'People-Oriented Management', these values shape our corporate culture, fostering creativity, diversity, and integrity. At LG, we believe in the power of collective wisdom through an inclusive work environment.Join us and become a part of a company that is shaping the future of technology.At LG, we strive to make Life Good for Everyone.

What we can offer:

A crafted employee experience designed to foster professional growth, a focus on health & well-being and an internal community that will set you up for success.

We offer an environment that enables colleagues to demonstrate their capabilities, focus on their work and create value. At LG, you're encouraged to take a creative and individual approach to challenges with strong emphasis placed on performance and skill—and equal, merit-based opportunities across the board. We want our colleagues to grow with our global business. That's why we deliver sure rewards for exceptional performance and offer industry-leading benefits. Come join the team!

The Opportunity:

This is a Contract to Full Time role

We are seeking a backend-focused AI/ML engineer to support fast-moving proof-of-concept projects across a variety of product domains. This role will be responsible for building and iterating on backend APIs, data pipelines, and integrations that bring AI-powered ideas from concept to working prototype.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working in ambiguous, early-stage environments and can quickly define a practical path forward when requirements are still evolving. They will integrate third-party AI services and models, including LLMs, embedding models, vision, and speech technologies, while evaluating different providers and summarizing results to guide technical and product decisions.

This position will work closely with stakeholders to understand project goals, identify requirement gaps, and contribute ideas during early product and feature discussions. Strong communication and documentation skills are essential, as the role requires clearly capturing technical findings, decisions, progress, and blockers for broader team visibility.

The successful candidate will be highly adaptable, able to manage multiple concurrent workstreams, and motivated by turning emerging AI/ML concepts into functional prototypes that help shape future product direction.

Responsibilities:

• Build and iterate on backend APIs and data pipelines for AI/ML-powered PoC projects, moving fast from idea to working prototype
• Integrate third-party AI services and models (LLMs, embedding models, vision, speech, etc.) across a variety of product domains
• Work directly with stakeholders to understand project goals, identify gaps in requirements, and document decisions
• Set up and run evaluations across AI providers and models, collect results, and summarize findings clearly
• Contribute ideas to early-stage product and feature discussions
• Document technical findings and decisions clearly enough for the broader team to act on
• Juggle multiple concurrent workstreams and communicate progress and blockers proactively
• Comfortable with ambiguity - able to define a path forward when the full picture isn't clear

Education / Experience (Requirements):

• 3–7 years of experience in software engineering
• Experience building and deploying REST APIs (FastAPI, Flask, or similar)
• Familiarity with LLM APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, or similar)
• Working knowledge of SQL and at least one non-relational data store
• Comfortable working from loosely defined requirements and moving forward without waiting to be told
• Clear written communicator; can explain technical findings to a non-engineering audience
• Self-directed — raises blockers early and communicates status without being asked

Nice to have

• Experience with ML model evaluation or comparing outputs across AI providers
• Familiarity with embedding-based search, recommendation, or personalization
• Experience writing technical specs or findings for handoff to other teams
• Exposure to data ingestion from third-party APIs
• Has shipped something end-to-end independently — side project, open source, or otherwise

$150,000 - $200,000 USD

Benefits Offered Full-Time Employees:

• No-cost employee premiums for you and your eligible dependents for competitive medical, dental, vision and prescription benefits.
• Auto enrollment with immediate vesting of competitive company matching contributions in a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with several investmentoptions.
• Generous Paid Time Off program that includes company holidays and a combined bank of paid sick and vacation time.
• Performance based Short-Term Incentives (varies by role).
• Access to confidential mental health resources to help you and your loved ones improve your quality of life. Personal fitness goal incentives.
• Family orientated benefits such as paid parental leave and support for families raising children with learning, social, behavioral challenges, or developmental disabilities.
• Group Rate Life and Disability Insurance.

Benefits Offered Temporary/Contractors:

• Eligible for the relevant benefit programs offered through our partner agencies.

Applicants who need assistance or a reasonable accommodation during the hiring process may contact our team by phone at: 973-477-7090 [e-mail]. This email and phone number will only reply to accommodation requests and is not intended for general employment inquiries.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

In addition to the above, LG believes that pay transparency is a key part of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our salary ranges take into account many factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skillset, experience, licensure, certifications, internal equity, and other business needs. While we consider geographic pay differentials in final offers, because we operate in many geographies where applicable, the salary range listed may not reflect all geographic differentials applied.