Senior Applied Scientist , Amazon Ads

Amazon; Berwick (Columbia County); On-site; USD 183,800 - 248,700; Full time

Job summary

Amazon Ads is seeking a scientist to advance next-generation ML solutions, including generative AI and LLM applications, to transform advertising at planet scale.

You will own end-to-end projects from ambiguity to production models, run experiments, and collaborate with engineers, PMs, and fellow scientists to ship impactful solutions that balance customer and advertiser needs.

Qualifications

• 5+ years building ML models for real business applications.
• PhD or MS with 6+ years of applied research.
• Strong programming in Python, Java, or C++.
• Hands-on experience with deep learning methods.

Responsibilities

• Research and build next-generation ML solutions — including generative AI and LLM apps — that transform advertising.
• Own end-to-end projects from messy problems to production-grade models.
• Design experiments to validate hypotheses and measure real business impact.
• Build models that balance customer and advertiser needs and ship them with cross-functional teams.
• Develop scalable ML pipelines that optimize monetization without harming user experience.

Skills

ML models

Python

Java

C++

Deep learning

Education

PhD

MS + 6 years

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Spark

Hadoop

Job description

Job ID: 10488761 | Amazon.com Services LLC - A57

Your Next Big Challenge Starts Here

You've spent years mastering machine learning. Now imagine applying that expertise where it actually reaches billions of people — every single day.

At Amazon Ads, we're not just running ads. We're re-inventing the entire advertising experience using generative AI, large language models, and next-generation ML. From the moment a brand crafts a campaign to the instant a customer discovers something they love — your science powers it all.

Billions of impressions. Millions of clicks. Petabytes of data. And you — at the center of it.

Why This Role Will Excite You

Unmatched scale and resources. You'll have access to computational power and datasets most scientists only dream about. Build solutions that don't just work in a notebook — they work at planet scale.

Breadth that keeps you sharp. One quarter you might be optimizing real-time bidding systems. The next, you're building creative AI that generates ad content. Ranking, personalization, NLP, computer vision, LLMs — it's all on the table.

Your ideas ship. This isn't a research lab where papers collect dust. You'll take models from concept to production, run A/B experiments, and see your work move metrics that matter — for advertisers, customers, and the business.

People who push you forward. You'll collaborate with world-class engineers, scientists, and product leaders who are just as passionate about solving hard problems as you are.

What You'll Actually Do

• Research and build next-generation ML solutions — including generative AI and LLM applications — that transform how advertising works
• Own end-to-end projects: from messy, ambiguous problems to deployed, production-grade models
• Design experiments that validate your hypotheses and measure real business impact
• Build models that balance what's best for customers and advertisers — because great advertising should feel helpful, not intrusive
• Work cross-functionally with engineers, PMs, and fellow scientists to ship fast and iterate faster
• Develop scalable ML pipelines that optimize monetization without sacrificing customer experience

Where This Takes Your Career

Whether you want to go deep as a technical IC or grow into people leadership — both paths are real here. You'll have opportunities to:

• Lead high-visibility technical initiatives
• Mentor and grow other scientists
• Shape strategy alongside senior leadership
• Build a reputation in a community that genuinely values scientific excellence

Your work won't just be seen internally — it'll impact millions of customers and advertisers worldwide.

Watch Scientists at Amazon Ads Talk About Their Work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvHsURsIPEA

Learn More About Amazon Ads

https://advertising.amazon.com/

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years building ML models for real business applications
• PhD, or Master's degree + 6 years of applied research experience
• Strong programming skills in Python, Java, C++, or similar
• Hands-on experience with deep learning and neural network methods

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with tools like scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Spark MLLib, MxNet, numpy, scipy
• Experience with large-scale distributed systems (Hadoop, Spark, etc.)

• Experience with modeling tools such as R, scikit-learn, Spark MLLib, MxNet, Tensorflow, numpy, scipy etc.
• Experience with large scale distributed systems such as Hadoop, Spark etc.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&DD insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits .

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with modeling tools such as R, scikit-learn, Spark MLLib, MxNet, Tensorflow, numpy, scipy etc.
• Experience with large scale distributed systems such as Hadoop, Spark etc.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&DD insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits .

USA, CA, Palo Alto - 192,200.00 - 260,000.00 USD annually

USA, CA, Santa Monica - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

USA, CA, Sunnyvale - 192,200.00 - 260,000.00 USD annually

USA, MA, Boston - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

USA, MD, Washington DC - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

USA, NY, New York - 183,800.00 - 248,700.00 USD annually

USA, NY, New York City - 183,800.00 - 248,700.00 USD annually

USA, VA, Arlington - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

USA, WA, Bellevue - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

USA, WA, SEATTLE - 167,100.00 - 226,100.00 USD annually

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.