Lead Applied Researcher

Adobe; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 228,000 - 330,000; Full time

Job summary

Adobe Express seeks a Lead Applied Researcher to shape AI foundations and accelerate the Horizon AI Stack. You will lead a small team, build innovative ML models for generative AI scenarios, and drive production-ready capabilities across creative workflows.

The role requires 7+ years in ML/product development, strong programming skills in PyTorch/TensorFlow/JAX, and experience with transformers and cloud/MLOps. Location includes Seattle, WA or San Jose, CA with on-site work.

Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, ML or related field.
• 7+ years of industry experience in machine learning and product development related to AI.
• Experience mentoring or guiding researchers or engineers.
• Strong programming skills and experience with ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX).
• Experience with transformers, diffusion models, or GANs; cloud platforms and MLOps.
• Ability to read, understand and prototype research papers quickly.

Responsibilities

• Build ML models for Agentic and Generative AI scenarios in Adobe Express.
• Lead and mentor a small team of applied researchers.
• Contribute to foundational AI systems for intelligent assistance, layout automation, image generation, and motion storytelling.
• Design modular components that integrate with Horizon AI Stack across workflows.
• Own the ML lifecycle from ideation to deployment.
• Collaborate with Research, product and platform teams to productionize ideas.
• Define evaluation strategies using metrics, LLM judges, and user feedback.

Skills

Team leadership

Machine learning

Reading research papers

Communication

Education

Master's/PhD in CS or related field

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

JAX

Job description

Lead Applied Researcher, AI Foundations- Adobe Express Location: San Jose, CA / Seattle, WA

The Opportunity

Adobe Express empowers users to seamlessly construct striking designs, whether they are novices or experienced engineers, on a user-friendly platform improved by groundbreaking AI capabilities. The AI Foundations team sits at the core of this vision, driving innovation to make Adobe Express smarter, faster, and more adaptive! By developing modular, reusable AI systems and crafting a robust Horizon AI Stack, this team will play a pivotal role in transforming creative workflows. Joining this team means crafting the future of creativity, solving complex engineering challenges, and delivering scalable AI solutions that redefine what is possible in design!

What You’ll Do

• Build innovative machine learning models that drive Agentic and other Generative AI scenarios for Adobe Express
• Lead and mentor a small team of applied researchers, providing technical direction and encouraging a strong culture of innovation and experimentation.
• Contribute to foundational AI systems for intelligent assistance, layout automation, image generation, and motion storytelling.
• Design and build modular, reusable components that integrate with the Horizon AI Stack and scale across multiple creative workflows.
• Own the ML lifecycle—from ideation and prototyping to evaluation and deployment.
• Drive collaboration with Adobe Research, product, and platform teams to translate ideas into production-ready capabilities.
• Define and implement evaluation strategies using a combination of automated metrics, LLM based judges, and user feedback

Basic Qualifications

• Masters, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Machine Learning, or a related field with equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of industry experience in machine learning and product development related to AI.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring or technically guiding other researchers or engineers.
• Strong programming skills and proficiency in ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.
• Experience with modern ML architectures including transformers / visual transformers, diffusion models, or GANs.
• Experience with cloud platforms, MLOps and deploying ML systems in production at scale.
• Be able to quickly read, understand and prototype relevant research papers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Large Language Models and model adaptation techniques (Ex: PEFT, SFT, RL etc.)
• Familiarity with agent-based systems, intelligent assistants, or planner-based AI.
• Experience in creative, imaging, or multimedia domains.
• Publications in renowned ML/CV/AI conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, CVPR, ICML, SIGGRAPH).

What You Need to Succeed

• Be a leader with a point of view and a passion for creativity, striving to improve solutions.
• Be up to date with the latest and greatest in AI Research.
• Comfortable working in a fast, iterative and ambiguous environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical ideas and experiment results clearly.
• Collaborative spirit with a focus on product impact, AI / ML innovation and engineering excellence.

About Adobe

Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe’s industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity. Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours. Let’s Adobe together At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.

Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more.

Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users.

If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email [e-mail] or call [phone].

AI Use Guidelines for Interviews

Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process. At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI — and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it’s restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.

Expected Pay Range

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this positionis $182,900 -- $352,350 annually. Paywithin this range varies by work locationand may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills,and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process. In California, the pay range for this position is $243,300 - $352,350 In Washington, the pay range for this position is $227,900 - $330,050 At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP). In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.

State-Specific Notices

California: Fair Chance Ordinances

Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances.

Colorado: Application Window Notice

If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.

Massachusetts: Massachusetts Legal Notice

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

At Adobe, you will be immersed in an exceptional work environment that is recognized around the world. You will also be surrounded by colleagues who are committed to helping each other grow through our unique Check-In approach where ongoing feedback flows freely. If you’re looking to make an impact, Adobe's the place for you. Discover what our employees are saying about their career experiences on the Adobe Life blog and explore the meaningful benefits we offer. There's more than meets the eye when it comes to Adobe. Take the quiz and see how well you know us!

Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. Learn more.

Adobe aims to make Adobe.com accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email [e-mail].