Head of Machine Learning

5V Tech; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonus

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k)

Job summary

5V Tech, a Silicon Valley deep tech company, is seeking a leader to own the development and deployment of audio AI models while building the team behind it. You will guide deep learning and DSP engineers, drive an applied ML roadmap across speech enhancement to voice identification, and ensure efficient, low-power deployment on embedded hardware.

The role combines hands-on model work with strategic leadership, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration to align ML efforts with the company

Qualifications

• Significant experience in deep learning and/or DSP engineering with leadership experience.
• Strong Python and PyTorch skills across model training, evaluation and optimisation workflows.
• Solid understanding of DSP concepts and audio signal processing techniques.
• Proven experience with model compression and efficient deployment on embedded or edge platforms.
• Track record of taking audio ML models from research through to production at scale.
• Background in CS, EE, Math, or related field (BS, MS, PhD or equivalent).
• Passion for solving hard problems and building high-performing teams in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a team of deep learning and DSP engineers, setting technical direction and hiring priorities
• Own the applied ML roadmap for audio, spanning speech enhancement, noise reduction, echo cancellation, beamforming, sound event detection, voice identification, and more
• Drive model compression, efficiency, and optimisation strategy for deployment on low-power hardware
• Stay hands-on: architect, prototype, and review models alongside the team, from research through to production deployment
• Set best practices for leveraging multi-sensor data to improve algorithm performance in challenging real-world environments
• Partner with customers to shape tailored audio AI solutions
• Work cross-functionally with hardware, product, and business teams to align ML strategy with company roadmap

Skills

Deep learning

DSP engineering

Python

PyTorch

Team leadership

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or Mathematics

Job description

• Total Comp: Equity, Bonus, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) and more

A well-funded, Silicon Valley-based deep tech company is building next-generation AI capabilities for on-device audio, enabling low-latency, energy-efficient inference at the edge. As they scale their engineering organisation, they are looking for a leader to own the development and deployment of their audio AI models, while building and growing the team behind it.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and grow a team of deep learning and DSP engineers, setting technical direction and hiring priorities
• Own the applied ML roadmap for audio, spanning speech enhancement, noise reduction, echo cancellation, beamforming, sound event detection, voice identification, and more
• Drive model compression, efficiency, and optimisation strategy for deployment on low-power hardware
• Stay hands-on: architect, prototype, and review models alongside the team, from research through to production deployment
• Set best practices for leveraging multi-sensor data to improve algorithm performance in challenging real-world environments
• Partner with customers to shape tailored audio AI solutions
• Work cross-functionally with hardware, product, and business teams to align ML strategy with company roadmap

Ideal Profile:

• Significant experience in deep learning and/or DSP engineering, with a track record of leading or mentoring a team
• Strong Python and PyTorch skills across model training, evaluation, and optimisation workflows
• Solid understanding of DSP concepts and audio signal processing techniques
• Proven experience with model compression and efficient deployment on embedded or edge platforms
• Track record of taking audio ML models from research through to production at scale
• Background in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or related field (BS, MS, PhD or equivalent)
• Passion for solving hard problems and building high-performing teams in a fast-paced, innovative environment

This is a rare opportunity to lead applied ML at the intersection of deep learning, model optimisation, and embedded AI, shaping the team and technology that brings intelligent audio capabilities to everyday devices at scale.