Lead Machine Learning Engineer, Ads Research
Location: Seattle, Washington, United States; Santa Monica, California, United States; Glendale, California, United States
Job Summary
This position will be responsible for working across multiple machine learning areas with primary focus on specialization in generative AI applications, including generative mixed media, language models, and other agentic multimodal technologies. Areas of work may include generative video, generative image, generative audio, chatbots, LLM applications, and mixed agentic workflows. Work will additionally include traditional machine learning applications as well, including development of classical ML models to optimize advertisement marketplace operations.
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 generative advertisement creation and enhancement, as well as supporting efforts in more traditional AI application spaces such as Ad marketplace optimization, forecasting, and related ML and generative AI experimentation.
We are seeking a Lead 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, emerging technology, strategic impact, and cross‑functional collaboration, across both generative AI and traditional ML applications.
What You’ll Do
- Develop, optimize, and productionize innovative technologies in generative AI (mixed media, video, and agentic LLM applications) as well as in traditional ML modeling applications.
- Create, evaluate, improve, and optimize technologies.
- 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.
- Invent and iterate on novel solutions to complex advertising challenges with rapid prototyping and deployment cycles.
- Design, build, and scale robust ML systems that power core ad platform capabilities.
- Champion engineering excellence through best practices in code quality, system design, and operational reliability.
- Mentor and support junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical growth.
What to Bring
- Bachelor’s in computer science or equivalent experience.
- Prior experience rigorously developing, researching, and/or productionizing any of the following generative AI modeling or AI-based editing domains: image, video, mixed media, audio, LLMs, or agentic flows.
- Experience creating ML datasets (especially in computer vision or generative AI) or developing rigorous quality evaluation processes or data labeling processes, with appreciation for the importance of rigorous quality evaluation.
- Experience developing language-processing applications via LLMs or agentic flows.
- Experience in rapid creative prototyping with generative AI is a plus, such as examples of rapid development of creative generative AI prototyping in research labs, hackathons, etc.
- Minimum 7 years of hands‑on experience developing and deploying large‑scale machine learning systems.
- Strong knowledge of AI/ML technologies, mathematics and statistics.
- Excellent communication, collaboration skills, and a strong teamwork ethic with both technical and non‑technical audiences.
- Strong foundations in algorithms, data structures, and numerical optimization with experience in programming languages such as Python (primary), Java and SQL.
- Familiarity with deep learning tools and frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, JAX, HuggingFace libraries, etc.
- Expert knowledge with traditional (tabular) ML modeling and methods.
- Proven proficiency in deep learning methodologies, fine‑tuning, and transformer architectures.
- A proven track record of thriving in a fast‑paced, data‑driven, and collaborative work environment.
- Experience working closely with UX and front‑end designers building production generative AI products.
NICE‑TO‑HAVES
- MS or PhD (preferred) in computer science or equivalent experience.
- Experience with multimodal models and embedding techniques.
- Computer vision or visual content understanding experience.
- Experience in digital video advertising or digital marketing domain.
Salary and Compensation
The hiring range for this position in Santa Monica, CA is $171,600 to $230,100 per year and in Seattle is $179,700 to $241,000. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and 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.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Disney Entertainment & Sports LLC is an equal‑opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.
Disability Accommodation For Employment Applications
The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, email with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
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