Staff AI Research Engineer

Duolingo; New York (NY); On-site; USD 220,800 - 331,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Duolingo in New York seeks an experienced AI Research Engineer to join the Monetization team. You will develop and train bandit models and large-scale neural networks, collaborating with cross-functional teams to align outputs with business goals.

The role requires a strong track record in ML, leadership, and the ability to mentor others. You’ll stay current on LLMs and bandits, delivering scalable ML solutions with impact across learning experiences.

Qualifications

• Proven AI research engineer experience in LLMs, bandits, or related fields.
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Responsibilities

• Join a full-stack team of frontend, backend, and other AI Research engineers.
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Skills

LLMs

Bandits

Leadership

Communication

Education

Advanced degree in CS

Tools

ML frameworks

Job description

Our mission at Duolingo is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. It’s a big mission, and that’s where you come in! At Duolingo, you’ll 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. You’ll have limitless learning opportunities, mentorship and collaboration with world‑class minds, and a variety of projects with large scopes — while doing work that’s 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 an experienced AI Research Engineer to join our Duolingo Monetization team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record as an AI research engineer, with extensive experience across various machine learning techniques including large language models, multi‑armed bandits, and more. They will have experience at all levels of the ML stack, including feature engineering, developing training data, fine‑tuning, reinforcement learning, quality evaluations, deployment, and monitoring. On the Monetization team, we’re building AI systems to improve the learning experience while driving our business, including deploying our research into bandit models to balance revenue and retention. Given the broad set 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 bandit models and large‑scale neural network models.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to understand their needs, to align the models’ outputs with company objectives.
• Participate in and help drive strategic product and business decision‑making as a member of the Monetization leadership group.
• Stay up‑to‑date with the latest developments in machine learning, particularly in LLMs and bandits, 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, bandits, computer vision, 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 manage and inspire a team.
• Deep understanding of machine learning concepts, frameworks, and best practices.

Salary Range

US $220,800—$331,200 per year plus equity compensation.

Benefits

Duolingo offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your holistic well‑being.

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 [e-mail].

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 legally protected characteristics.

Fraud Warning

Unfortunately, there is a rise in scammers pretending to be real Duolingo employees. Duolingo and our employees will never ask for your Social Security number, bank details, passport info, or ask you to deposit a check, purchase equipment, or exchange money during the interview process. Real Duolingo employees always use an email that ends in @duolingo.com or @recruiting.duolingo.com. Stay alert and double‑check these details before sharing any information.