Senior AI Research Engineer

TrulyHired; New York (NY); On-site; USD 197,000 - 267,000; Full time

Job summary

Duolingo is seeking a Senior AI Research Engineer to join our Video Call team. You will lead the development and training of ML models, including large language models, speech recognition, and text-to-speech systems, shaping products used by hundreds of millions of learners worldwide.

The role spans the full ML stack—from feature design and data creation to fine-tuning, deployment, and monitoring. You will mentor teammates, collaborate with frontend and backend engineers, and help steer product

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an AI research engineer, e.g., in LLMs, multimodal modeling, speech, or related fields.
• Strong background in training and fine-tuning large models in an applied setting.
• Advanced degree in CS/Engineering/ML or equivalent experience.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to lead and inspire a team.
• Technical depth to guide architecture and implementation tradeoffs, evolve quality standards, and mentor engineers.
• Deep understanding of ML concepts, frameworks, and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Join a full-stack team of frontend, backend and AI Researchers to foster collaboration.
• Develop and train ML models, including LLMs, speech and text-to-speech systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align model outputs with company goals.
• Influence strategic product and business decisions with Language Learning leadership.
• Stay up-to-date with ML advances and apply them to our projects.
• Mentor team members and support their professional growth.
• Ensure high-quality, scalable ML solutions.

Skills

LLMs

Multimodal modeling

Speech models

Training large models

Leadership

Communication

Education

Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field with focus on ML/AI

Tools

ML frameworks

Job description

Senior AI Research Engineer Full Description

Our mission at Duolingo is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. Its a big mission, and thats where you come in!

At Duolingo, youll join a team that cares about finding innovative solutions to complex technical problems , running countless experiments (300+ at a time!) with our massive user base to make data-driven decisions, and educating our users and employees alike. Youll have limitless learning opportunities, mentorship and collaboration with world-class minds, and a variety of projects with large scopes while doing work thats both fun and meaningful.

Join our life-changing mission to develop education for our half a billion (and growing!) learners around the world.

About the role...

We are looking for a Senior AI Research Engineer to join our Duolingo Video Call team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record as an AI research engineer, with experience across various machine learning techniques including large language models, speech models, benchmarking, and/or personalization. They will have experience at multiple levels of the ML stack, including feature engineering, developing training data, fine-tuning, reinforcement learning, quality evaluations, deployment, and monitoring. On the Video Call team, were building AI systems that support the core learning mission of Duolingo, improving the learning experience and helping our learners build healthy, productive habits. Given the wide array of AI domains, broad experience in AI/ML is highly desirable.

You will...

• Join a full-stack team of frontend, backend and other AI Research engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Contribute to the development and training of a variety of machine learning models, including large-scale neural networks, speech recognition, and text-to-speech systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand their needs, to align the models outputs with company objectives.
• Participate in and influence strategic product and business decision making with members of the Language Learning leadership group.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in machine learning and apply this knowledge to drive advancements in our projects.
• Mentor team members, providing guidance and support in their professional development.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and efficient machine learning solutions.

You have...

• Proven experience as an AI research engineer, for example, in LLMs, multimodal modeling, speech, or related fields.
• Strong background in training and fine-tuning large models in an applied setting.
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field with a focus on machine learning or artificial intelligence, or equivalent experience.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to lead and inspire a team.
• Technical depth sufficient to guide architecture and implementation tradeoffs, evolve quality standards, and mentor engineers on best practices.
• Deep understanding of machine learning concepts, frameworks, and best practices.

The offered salary is dependent upon several factors, including work experience, skills, and internal peer comparisons. The posted range is subject to change in the future. For this role, base salary is supplemented by equity compensation.

Salary Range:

$197,200-$266,800 USD

Accommodations:

We will do everything we can within reason to make sure that your interview takes place in an environment that fairly and accurately assesses your skills. If you need assistance or accommodation, please contact [email protected] .

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Duolingo is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

By applying for this position your data will be processed as per the Duolingo Applicant Privacy Notice .