Staff ML Engineer - Personalization & Recommendations

Perplexity; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 405,000; Full time

Job summary

Perplexity in Palo Alto is seeking experienced ML engineers to design and optimize recommendation systems that enhance core user experiences. This role involves owning personalization and ranking, building user models, and shaping technical directions in a collaborative environment.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience and strong fundamentals in machine learning, with a curiosity to innovate in LLM-native products. The compensation range is competitive, between $220K and $405K annually.

Qualifications

• Deep, hands-on experience with production recommendation systems.
• Strong foundation in ML principles including engagement modeling and experimentation.
• Experience in integrating LLMs into ranking or personalization pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Own personalization and ranking for key product surfaces.
• Build user models that capture intent and preference.
• Design the decision layer balancing competing user objectives.
• Build data foundations for learning and improvement.
• Shape the technical direction of ranking and personalization.

Skills

Experience building production recommendation systems

Strong ML fundamentals

Integration of LLMs

Curiosity about personalization in LLM products

Job description

Perplexity in Palo Alto is seeking experienced ML engineers to design and optimize recommendation systems that enhance core user experiences. This role involves owning personalization and ranking, building user models, and shaping technical directions in a collaborative environment.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience and strong fundamentals in machine learning, with a curiosity to innovate in LLM-native products. The compensation range is competitive, between $220K and $405K annually.