Director, ML Research Science (Adtech / Recommender Systems)

Cognitiv•San Mateo, CA

13d•$250,000 - $330,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At Cognitiv, we are industry trailblazers redefining media buying with our Deep Learning Advertising Platform. Since 2015, we have harnessed the power of cutting-edge deep learning technology and data science to transform how brands connect with their customers. Our mission is to bring intelligence to advertising and deliver unparalleled precision, relevance, and impact at scale. Our innovative platform offers advertisers unprecedented flexibility. As a part of Cognitiv, you will be at the forefront of AI-driven advertising solutions, driving change and achieving remarkable growth in a rapidly evolving industry.

Requirements

Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
5–7+ years of experience in machine learning R&D.
Proven experience leading teams of researchers and senior ICs/PhDs while remaining 30–50% hands-on (coding, reviews, experimentation).
Deep technical expertise in PyTorch, transformers, and Large Language Models (LLMs), including large-scale training and fine-tuning of deep neural networks.
Strong understanding of both deep learning and traditional ML techniques (e.g., XGBoost, PCA), with the ability to apply the right approach to the right problem.
Proficiency in Python with strong foundations in algorithms, data structures, and software engineering principles.
Experience building models in real-time, high-throughput systems (e.g., recommender systems, adtech).
Hands-on experience developing, deploying, and optimizing machine learning models in production environments, including distributed systems, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), and big data frameworks (Hadoop, Spark).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong project management capabilities.
Ability to drive alignment in fast-paced, dynamic environments.

Nice To Haves

Prior exposure to advertising technology and real-time bidding (RTB) systems.
Familiarity with big data frameworks (Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure).
Strong C++ programming ability.
A track record of published research or meaningful contributions to the machine learning community.
Experience managing both exploratory research timelines and production-grade delivery cycles.

Responsibilities

Lead and mentor a team of Machine Learning Research Scientists, fostering a collaborative, innovative environment while mentoring individuals on both technical challenges and career development.
Define and execute the vision for machine learning research within the adtech domain, representing the team in strategic discussions and contributing to company-wide initiatives.
Oversee the design and implementation of cutting-edge deep learning architectures, staying current with LLM research and guiding the integration of new breakthroughs into Cognitiv’s solutions.
Actively contribute through coding, experimentation, and code reviews, ensuring technical excellence and adherence to best practices.
Continuously improve models and algorithms to drive ad targeting, real-time bidding performance, and audience relevance.
Collaborate with operations, engineering, and cross-functional partners to refine data pipelines, model deployment, and monitoring systems.
Manage project timelines, resources, and deliverables, ensuring successful completion of high-impact research initiatives.

Benefits

Medical, Dental and Vision plan for US employees & Extended Health Benefits for Canadian employees
12 weeks paid parental leave + 4 weeks WFH
Unlimited PTO + Work-From-Anywhere August
Career development with clear advancement paths
Equity for all employees
Hybrid work model & daily team lunch
Health & wellness stipend + cell phone reimbursement
401(k) & RRSP with employer match
Parking (CA, WA, Vancouver offices) & pre-tax commuter benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Comprehensive onboarding (Cognitiv University)