Senior Applied Scientist , Amazon Ads

Amazon; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 192,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

RSUs

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Amazon is hiring a senior ML-focused researcher in Sunnyvale, CA, to design and deploy next‑generation ML solutions for ads. You will own end‑to‑end projects, run experiments, and ship production models that scale to billions of impressions.

You’ll collaborate with engineers, PMs, and fellow scientists to maximize business impact while balancing customer and advertiser needs. The role emphasizes robust experimentation and delivering real-world results.

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.

Responsibilities

• Research and build next-generation ML solutions — including generative AI and LLM applications.
• Own end-to-end projects from ambiguous problems to deployed models.
• Design experiments that validate hypotheses and measure business impact.
• Build models that balance customer and advertiser needs.
• Work cross-functionally with engineers, PMs, and fellow scientists to ship fast.

Skills

ML modeling

Programming

Deep learning

Education

PhD

Master’s degree

Tools

ML libraries: scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch

Distributed systems: Hadoop, Spark

Job description

Description

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.)

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of building machine learning models for business application experience
• PhD, or Master's degree and 6+ years of applied research experience
• Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
• Experience with neural deep learning methods and machine learning

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&D 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

Company

Amazon.com Services LLC - A57

Job ID: A10488761