Lead Applied AI Engineer

Paramount Pictures; Burbank (CA); Hybrid; USD 139,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Generous PTO

On-site & virtual events

Job summary

Paramount Skydance Corp. seeks a Senior Applied AI Engineer to architect, build, and operationalize AI-driven solutions that transform software quality across the enterprise.

This role blends advanced machine learning, large language models, and software engineering to improve automation efficiency, accelerate feedback loops, enhance defect detection, and deliver predictive quality insights. You will be a key member of the Global Quality Engineering team and partner with DevOps, SRE, and Infosec

Qualifications

• 7+ years of ML/AI or applied AI experience.
• Strong Java, Python, and ML framework skills.
• Deep hands-on with RAG, embedding, and LLM tooling.

Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, and deploy end-to-end AI/ML systems for QE workflows.
• Build and optimize RAG pipelines and hybrid architectures.
• Fine-tune LLMs and decide when to use RAG vs. fine-tuning.
• Develop tools for test case generation, synthetic data, and telemetry summaries.
• Lead and mentor on ML/AI development and governance.

Skills

Java

Python

PyTorch/TensorFlow

LLM tooling

MLOps

GCP Vertex AI

RAG

Model fine-tuning

CI/CD

Tools

Vertex AI

Selenium

Playwright

pytest

JUnit

Job description

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#WeAreParamount on a mission to unleash the power of content… you in?
We’ve got the brands, we’ve got the stars, we’ve got thepowerto achieve our mission to entertain the planet – now all we’re missing is… YOU! Becoming a part of Paramount means joining a team of passionate people who not only recognize the power of content but also enjoy a touch of fun and uniqueness. Together, we co-create moments that matter – both for our audiences and our employees – and aim to leave a positive mark on culture.

Job Title: Senior Applied AI Engineer

Team: Global Quality Engineering

Overview

Paramount Skydance Corp. is seeking a Senior Applied AI Engineer to architect, build, and operationalize AI-driven solutions that transform how we deliver software quality across the enterprise. This role blends advanced machine learning, large language models, and software engineering expertise to improve automation efficiency, accelerate feedback loops, enhance defect detection, and deliver predictive quality insights.

You will be a key member of the Global Quality Engineering (GQE) team and partner with DevOps, SRE, and Infosec teams to embed AI capabilities directly into the SDLC, leveraging modern platforms such as Vertex AI to deliver scalable, resilient , and impactful AI solutions for Quality Engineering initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

AI/ML Solution Development

• Architect, develop, and deploy end-to-end AI/ML systems addressing key QE workflows (e.g., bug prediction, app confidence scoring for incremental releases, flaky test detection, intelligent test prioritization, anomaly detection).
• Build, optimize, and tune RAG pipelines, including:
  • embedding and vector store selection
  • chunking and retrieval optimization
  • hallucination mitigation and grounding techniques
  • hybrid LLM architectures
• Perform LLM fine-tuning (full-model, LoRA/QLoRA, instruction tuning) and determine when fine-tuning is appropriate vs. RAG-only or hybrid approaches.
• Build LLM tools for:
  • test case generation (manual and automated)
  • synthetic test data creation
  • log and telemetry summarization
  • automated triage and quality insights
• Develop model evaluation frameworks ensuring accuracy, robustness, and safe behavior over time.

Global Quality Engineering Innovation

• Identify and prioritize opportunities to integrate AI automation across test strategy, execution, triage, and release decisioning.
• Integrate AI into CI/CD pipelines for dynamic risk-based testing, anomaly detection, and intelligent quality gates.
• Build solutions that analyze logs, traces, telemetry, and user signals to detect emerging quality risks.
• Leverage Google Cloud Vertex AI to build scalable, production-grade AI systems, including:
  • Vertex AI Training, Tuning (LoRA/QLoRA), and Custom Jobs
  • Vertex AI Vector Search for high-performance retrieval
  • Vertex AI Pipelines for automated ML workflows
  • Vertex AI Online Endpoints for real-time inference
• Integrate Vertex AI with GCP services (BigQuery, Cloud Run, GKE, Pub/Sub) for full production deployment.

Technical Leadership

• Lead architectural decisions on LLM system design, MLOps, data pipelines, and monitoring strategies.
• Mentor engineers on applied ML, modern AI development, prompt engineering, and RAG-vs-fine-tuning tradeoffs.
• Partner in the creation of engineering standards for model governance, safety, code quality, and scalable AI development.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with peers in GQE as well as DevOps, SRE and Infosec teams to translate quality challenges into high-value AI solutions that accelerate testing.
• Work closely with Data Engineering to ensure training data quality, governance, privacy, and compliance.
• Clearly communicate complex concepts to a variety of audiences including executives, engineers, and non-technical stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in machine learning engineering, software engineering, or applied AI.
• Strong expertise in Java, Python, PyTorch/TensorFlow, and modern LLM tooling.
• Deep hands-on experience with RAG systems, including:
  • vector database design and embedding evaluation
  • retrieval optimization and hybrid architectures
  • hallucination reduction and grounding strategies
• Strong hands-on experience with LLM fine-tuning, including:
  • full-model and parameter-efficient approaches
  • cost, latency, and behavior tradeoff analysis
• Expertise selecting between RAG vs. fine-tuning vs. hybrid approaches based on data characteristics, quality needs, and business constraints.
• Production experience with Google Cloud Vertex AI, including training, tuning, pipelines, Vector Search, and real-time model deployment.
• Solid understanding of quality engineering tools, automation frameworks (Selenium, Appium, Playwright, pytest, JUnit, TestNG), and CI/CD systems.
• Experience with MLOps platforms (MLflow, Kubeflow, SageMaker, Databricks) and cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building AI systems specifically for engineering productivity or quality engineering.
• Familiarity with:
  • observability tools (Grafana, Prometheus, OpenTelemetry)
  • code analysis and static/dynamic analysis tools
• Experience mentoring engineers or serving as a technical lead on cross-functional AI projects.
• Architectural judgment - mastery of when to apply RAG, fine-tuning, hybrid retrieval models, or classical ML.
• Innovation mindset - constantly identifying opportunities to improve velocity, quality, and automation with AI.
• Systems thinking - ability to model complex SDLC and QE workflows.
• Strong communication and the ability to drive consensus among stakeholders.
• Ownership - ability to drive initiatives end-to-end with autonomy.

Success Metrics

• Reduction in escaped defects and increased early bug detection.
• Significant reduction in flaky tests and triage time.
• Faster release cycles through intelligent, AI-driven testing strategies.
• Improved developer and tester productivity via AI-powered tooling.
• Successful deployment and adoption of enterprise-grade AI systems across the org.

#LI-JC1

Paramount+, a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service from Paramount Global, combines live sports, breaking news, and a mountain of entertainment. The premium streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. The service is also the streaming home to unmatched sports programming, including every CBS Sports event, from golf to football to basketball and more, plus exclusive streaming rights for major sports properties, including some of the world’s biggest and most popular soccer leagues. Paramount+ also enables subscribers to stream local CBS stations live across the U.S. in addition to the ability to stream Paramount Streaming’s other live channels: CBSN for 24/7 news, CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis, and ET Live for entertainment coverage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Hiring Salary Range: $139,200.00 - 208,800.00.

The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education. The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, tuition assistance program and PTO or, if applicable, as otherwise dictated by the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement.This position is bonus eligible.

What We Offer

• Attractive compensation and comprehensive benefits packages. Check out our full list of benefits here:https://www.paramount.com/careers/benefits
• Generous paid time off.
• An exciting and fulfilling opportunity to be part of one of Paramount’s most dynamic teams.
• Opportunities for both on-site and virtual engagement events.
• Unique opportunities to make meaningful connections and build a vibrant community, both inside and outside the workplace.
• Explore life at Paramount: https://www.paramount.com/careers/life-at-paramount

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.

At Paramount, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, on-screen and off. From the programming and movies we create to employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Paramount is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access https://www.paramount.com/careers as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by calling 212.846.5500 or by sending an email to [e-mail]. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned.