Member of Technical Staff, ML

HighlightSan Francisco officeEngineering

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Opens the official Highlight careers page

Salary

$200K - $300K USD

Job type

Full-time

Posted

20 Jan 2026

Status

Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

Highlight AI is hiring a full-time Member of Technical Staff, ML to build advanced machine learning systems in San Francisco. This hands-on position suits an experienced engineer with a passion for scaling production AI and delivering measurable user impact.

Role Overview

The organization is looking for a dedicated engineer to develop the machine learning backbone that drives its shared intelligence layer. Candidates will work across the entire ML stack, taking ownership of critical systems from end to end. Responsibilities include building data pipelines, handling model training, refining retrieval processes, and deploying features that seamlessly connect information across modern teams.

Key Responsibilities

Design, build, and optimize machine learning pipelines focused on context retrieval, action detection, and output generation.

Implement, test, and iterate on Retrieval-Augmented Generation systems, ranking models, and prompt engineering strategies.

Develop comprehensive evaluation frameworks and monitoring tools to track and enhance system performance.

Research alternative models and fine-tuning methods to improve background processing workloads, balancing output quality with cost efficiency.

Partner closely with product and backend engineering teams to deliver artificial intelligence features.

Guide machine learning infrastructure choices and establish best practices throughout the engineering organization.

Research recent developments in large language models, search techniques, and modern tooling to share valuable insights with colleagues.

Requirements

Four or more years of professional experience in machine learning or artificial intelligence engineering, with a strong background in shipping production systems.

Solid software engineering foundations and the ability to produce clean, maintainable code.

Extensive background working with retrieval, ranking, search, or RAG systems at scale.

Practical, hands-on proficiency utilizing PyTorch, modern machine learning infrastructure, and vector databases.

Proven history working with large language model applications, including evaluation frameworks, fine-tuning, and prompt engineering.

A product-focused mindset capable of linking modeling decisions, evaluations, and product constraints.

Strong bias toward action, rapid shipping, rigorous measurement, and data-driven iteration.

Exceptional communication abilities, a collaborative spirit, extreme ownership, and strict attention to detail.

Must be based in San Francisco or willing to relocate, as this is a full-time, on-site role requiring five days a week in the office.

Skills and Tools

PyTorch

LLM

RAG

Vector databases

Machine learning infrastructure

Prompt engineering and fine-tuning

Evaluation frameworks

Salary and Benefits

Competitive annual salary ranging between $200,000 and $300,000 USD

Generous equity package

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage

Flexible paid time off and parental leave policies

Paid team lunches provided during the work week

Relocation assistance package for qualifying candidates

About the Company

Highlight AI develops a shared intelligence layer designed for the modern workforce, unifying context across team members and tools to eliminate information silos. The platform proactively routes knowledge and reliably automates organizational workflows as it evolves. The team values speed, high standards, grit, and the philosophy that the best ideas always win regardless of titles.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should visit the official Highlight AI careers page to submit an application for this role.

Skills and tech stack

PyTorch LLM RAG

Questions candidates ask

What is the location of this job?

This is an on-site role located at the Highlight AI office in San Francisco, requiring candidates to work in the office five days a week.

What level of experience is required?

Applicants must have 4+ years of professional experience in machine learning or AI engineering, along with significant experience shipping production systems.

What is the salary range for this position?

The annual salary for the Member of Technical Staff, ML role ranges from $200,000 to $300,000 USD.

What benefits and perks are included?

Perks include a competitive salary, generous equity, health, dental, and vision insurance, flexible PTO, parental leave, paid weekly team lunches, and a relocation package.

What core technical skills are needed?

Candidates need hands-on proficiency with PyTorch, vector databases, modern ML infrastructure, RAG systems, retrieval, ranking, and LLM applications.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official Highlight careers page.

Apply on company site