Principal Research Engineer - AI Innovation and Development

FICO; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

FICO is seeking a Principal Research Engineer to lead AI innovation and development in San Diego, CA. This role includes designing and advancing AI models, problem-solving with various architectures, and mentoring. Ideal candidates will possess strong software engineering skills and a relevant advanced degree. This position offers competitive compensation within a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Benefits

Inclusive culture aligned with core values

Opportunities for impact and professional growth

Competitive compensation and benefits

Balanced work environment with social and resource groups

Qualifications

• Strong software engineering skills in Python, Rust, and/or C++.
• Experience with training AI architectures like transformers.
• MS or PhD in relevant fields.

Responsibilities

• Design AI models in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Develop Focused Language Models using transformers.
• Mentor scientists to support their career growth.

Skills

Software engineering skills in Python

Software engineering skills in Rust

Software engineering skills in C++

Training AI architectures

Distributed systems

Reinforcement Learning

Simulation

Synthetic Data Generation

Education

MS or PhD in Computer Science

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering

MS or PhD in Mathematics

Job description

Principal Research Engineer - AI Innovation and Development

Talent Acquisition Lead @ FICO (North America) | Ex Amazon. Recruiting Top Talent - Analytic Scientists, Data Scientists, Machine Learning & AI…

The Opportunity

"As a Principal Research Engineer, you’ll have a unique opportunity to build, train and deploy FICO’s diverse range of Foundational AI models. Your expertise will play a crucial role in shaping the technology and architecture of our latest innovations across natural language, transactional, speech, vision, and other modalities." – Senior Director, AI Innovation and Development.

What You’ll Contribute

• Design and advance AI models and system innovations in collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Software Engineering, and Pre-Sales.
• Develop Focused Language Models (LLMs) to solve business problems such as fraud, collections, and financial services, using architectures like transformers and optimizing training pipelines.
• Communicate effectively with high-level stakeholders internally and externally.
• Analyze large historical datasets to identify effective modeling techniques using cutting-edge machine learning methods.
• Mentor scientists to support their career growth.
• Drive innovation and growth of products through refined ideas and offerings.

What We’re Seeking

• Strong software engineering skills in Python, Rust, and/or C++.
• Experience with training AI architectures like transformers, encoders, decoders, diffusion models.
• Experience with distributed systems and concurrency.
• Knowledge of Reinforcement Learning, Simulation, or Synthetic Data Generation.
• Experience managing and delivering high-quality AI/ML projects on schedule.
• MS or PhD in relevant fields such as Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, etc.
• Full-time, on-site presence in San Diego, CA.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%.

Our Offer to You

• An inclusive culture aligned with core values: Act Like an Owner, Delight Our Customers, Earn Respect.
• Opportunities for impact and professional growth through leveraging strengths and learning experiences.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and rewards programs.
• An engaging, balanced work environment with social and resource groups.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Information Technology

Industries

• Software Development

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