Research Engineer

David AI • San Francisco, CA

4d • $210,000 - $360,000

About The Position

David AI is an audio data research company that develops datasets with the rigor AI labs bring to models. Its Research team works at the intersection of cutting-edge research and production systems, transforming raw audio into high-signal data for AI labs and enterprises. The team owns the full machine-learning lifecycle, from researching speech-processing algorithms to deploying models that process terabytes of audio daily.

As a Research Engineer, you will build algorithms and systems that turn large-scale speech and audio collections into high-quality datasets. You will help determine what makes recordings useful and how dataset quality can be measured and improved. The role combines advanced signal processing and machine learning with scalable data pipelines, production inference systems, and collaboration across research and operations.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of professional engineering or applied research experience in areas such as data systems, algorithms, applied ML, information retrieval, or speech and audio.
• Strong Python skills and experience building maintainable, production-quality software.
• Experience owning ML pipelines end to end, from proof of concept to production deployment.
• Ability to translate research papers and ideas into high-quality, production-ready code.
• Experience deploying ML systems for production inference with cloud technologies.
• Ability to assess model quality in the context of user experience and business value.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with speech, audio, or digital signal processing.
• Experience with data curation, search and retrieval, embeddings, clustering, deduplication, or sampling.
• Experience building model inference systems or integrating pretrained models into production workflows.
• Experience publishing in top conferences such as NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, or CVPR.
• Experience releasing, maintaining, or contributing to open-source software.
• PhD or master's degree in Computer Science or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Design algorithms and metrics using advanced signal processing algorithms and cutting-edge ML models to derive insights from thousands of hours of audio data.
• Build scalable data-processing pipelines to analyze, filter, deduplicate, and curate large speech and audio datasets.
• Develop production-grade inference algorithms, pipelines, and APIs with cross-functional teams to unlock insights into data for customers.
• Collaborate with the Operations team to gather useful training and evaluation datasets and improve model quality.
• Architect systems that enable resilient, durable inference and evaluations.

Benefits

• Unlimited PTO.
• Top-notch health, dental, and vision coverage, with 100% coverage for most plans.
• FSA and HSA access.
• 401(k) access.
• Meals twice daily through DoorDash, plus office snacks and beverages.
• Unlimited company-sponsored Barry’s classes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed