VP of Immersive AI Systems

Dolby Laboratories; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 289,100 - 408,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Work Approach

Excellent Compensation and Benefits

Job summary

A leading technology company in San Francisco seeks a visionary research executive to lead innovations in AI, Data Science, and Distributed Systems. The role involves defining research direction, mentoring talented teams, and collaborating globally to achieve impactful outcomes. Ideal candidates will have a PhD, over 15 years of relevant experience, and a strong publication record in cutting-edge technologies. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits including flexible work arrangements.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in advanced research and technical leadership.
• Proven track record of leading high-impact research initiatives.
• Experience in managing globally distributed research teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead strategic research vision in scalable data platforms.
• Set technical direction and architecture for AI model deployment.
• Mentor research teams and foster a culture of innovation.
• Represent ATG through publications and strategic partnerships.

Skills

AI

Data Science

Distributed Systems

Natural Language Processing

Computer Vision

Data Mining

Knowledge Discovery

Visualization

Education

PhD in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Distributed Databases

AI/ML Model Deployment

Multimedia Systems

Job description

Join the leader in entertainment innovation and help us design the future. At Dolby, science meets art, and high tech means more than computer code. As a member of the Dolby team, you’ll see and hear the results of your work everywhere, from movie theaters to smartphones. We continue to revolutionize how people create, deliver, and enjoy entertainment worldwide. To do that, we need the absolute best talent. We’re big enough to give you all the resources you need, and small enough so you can make a real difference and earn recognition for your work. We offer a collegial culture, challenging projects, and excellent compensation and benefits, not to mention a Flex Work approach that is truly flexible to support where, when, and how you do your best work.

The Advanced Technology Group (ATG) is the research division of the company. ATG’s mission is to look ahead, deliver insights, and innovate technological solutions that will fuel Dolby’s continued growth. Our researchers have a broad range of expertise related to computer science and electrical engineering, such as AI/ML, algorithms, digital signal processing, audio engineering, image processing, computer vision, data science & analytics, distributed systems, cloud, edge & mobile computing, computer networking, and IoT.

Sight and sound shape over 90% of human experience. We believe data‑driven technologies can redefine these experiences—making them more personalized, resilient, and immersive. We’re seeking a visionary research executive with deep expertise in AI, Data Science, and Distributed Systems to lead innovation across our advanced technology portfolio.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of intelligent media, collaborative platforms, and scalable AI infrastructure—impacting industries from cinema and gaming to enterprise communication and social networks.

What You’ll Do

• Define and lead strategic research vision, initiatives in scalable data platforms, media curation and distributed AI, collaborative systems, and intelligent visualization.
• Set technical direction and architecture principles for training and deploying AI models at scale—optimizing for edge computing, data efficiency, and real‑time responsiveness.
• Advance the frontier of AI/ML, natural language processing, data mining, and cognitive systems—balancing long‑term vision with near‑term impact.
• Build and mentor world‑class research teams, fostering a culture of curiosity, rigor, and breakthrough thinking.
• Collaborate with global leadership to shape ATG’s research agenda, influence technology strategy, and align innovation with business outcomes.
• Champion bottom‑up innovation, empowering researchers to explore bold ideas and translate them into transformative technologies.
• Represent ATG externally through publications, keynote talks, and strategic partnerships—establishing thought leadership across academia and industry.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent research leadership experience.
• 15+ years of progressive experience spanning advanced research and senior technical leadership, including responsibility for setting research direction and scaling teams.
• Proven track record of leading high‑impact research initiatives, with demonstrated research credibility through influential publications, patents, or widely adopted technologies (prior top‑tier academic publishing strongly valued).
• Deep expertise in Distributed Systems, Edge Computing, and AI Infrastructure, with strong working knowledge across one or more adjacent areas, such as:
• Distributed databases and storage systems
• Scalable AI/ML model deployment
• Natural language processing and computer vision
• Multimedia systems and network optimization
• Data mining, knowledge discovery, and visualization
• Foundation Models and LLMs
• Experience leading globally distributed, matrixed research organizations and balancing long‑term exploratory research with business‑aligned outcomes.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Vision: Anticipates technological shifts and crafts research agendas that position ATG at the forefront of innovation.
• Influence & Collaboration: Proven ability to partner with product, engineering, and executive leadership to translate research investments into strategic and commercial impact.
• Team Building: Proven success in recruiting, mentoring, and retaining top research talent. Skilled at translating business goals into team objectives.
• Execution Excellence: Balances bold innovation with disciplined execution. Makes data‑informed decisions and manages risk effectively.
• Communication: Exceptional scientific writing and presentation skills. Comfortable briefing executives and engaging with external stakeholders.

The San Francisco/Bay Area base salary range for this full‑time position is $289,100-$408,500, which can vary if outside this location, plus bonus, benefits, and some roles may also include equity. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range and perks and benefits for your location during the hiring process.

Dolby will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of San Francisco Police Code, Article 49, and Administrative Code, Article 12.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Dolby is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our success depends on the combined skills and talents of all our employees. We are committed to making employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, marital status, family status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.