Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Ads Research
Role details
Job location
Tech stack
Job description
- Innovation: We develop and execute groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms and enhance how audiences experience sports, entertainment & news.
Ad Platforms organization within Disney Entertainment and ESPN Technology is fully responsible for building, enhancing and maintaining the high-performance, distributed, microservice-based Advertising Platform across all of Disney online properties, including Hulu and ESPN+. We build and maintain proprietary technology, ranging from ad serving and ad delivery, campaign management, reporting as well as all the integrations internal and external that come with evolving and maintaining a best-in-class video advertising business.
Our mission is to advance AI and machine learning capabilities across Ad Platform by delivering scalable, high impact AI/ML and data science solutions that enhance Ad decisioning, forecasting, experimentation and Ad experience. We are seeking a Senior Machine Learning Engineer to join this innovative team. This role offers a unique leadership opportunity for an experienced ML engineer who thrives at the intersection of technical excellence, strategic impact, and cross-functional collaboration.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
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Drive innovation and apply state of the art AI and machine learning across advertising domains, including inventory forecasting, ad experience, ad pacing, pricing, targeting, and efficient ad delivery.
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Invent and iterate on novel solutions to complex advertising challenges with rapid prototyping and deployment cycles.
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Design, build, and scale robust ML systems that power core ad platform capabilities
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Champion engineering excellence through best practices in code quality, system design, and operational reliability.
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Mentor and support junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical growth.
Requirements
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Bachelor's in computer science or equivalent experience
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Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience developing and deploying large-scale machine learning systems.
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Strong knowledge of AI/ML technologies, mathematics and statistics.
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Excellent communication, collaboration skills, and a strong teamwork ethic with both technical and non-technical audiences
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Strong foundations in algorithms, data structures, and numerical optimization with experience in programming languages such as Python (primary), Java and SQL
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Familiarity with tools and frameworks such as TensorFlow, Pytorch, Hugging libraries etc
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Proven proficiency in deep learning methodologies, including recurrent and sequence-based models.
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Hands-on experience with transformer architectures (e.g., BERT, GPT, ViT) for natural language and vision tasks.
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Strong understanding of multimodal embedding techniques for integrating text, image, audio, and structured data.
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Experience with LLM models such as GPT models, Claude, Gemini, Llama, etc.
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Strong grasp of LLM evaluation methodologies, experience with RAG architectures.
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A proven track record of thriving in a fast-paced, data-driven, and collaborative work environment is required.
NICE-TO-HAVES
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Experience in digital video advertising or digital marketing domain.
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Experience with forecasting models
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MS or PhD(preferred) in computer science or equivalent experience.
Benefits & conditions
The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles, CA area is $141,900 to $190,300 per year and in Seattle, WA is $148,700 - $199,400 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
