Machine Learning Engineer

The Cake is a deeply technical innovation lab focused on advancing machine learning. They are seeking a Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist to invent new machine learning methods, develop novel learning paradigms, and conduct original research in the field.

Responsibilities:

• Invent and rigorously evaluate novel machine learning methods, architectures, and learning paradigms
• Identify and formalize new problem structures in unstructured and multimodal data domains
• Conduct first-principles research on representation learning, generative modeling, and complex data systems
• Design rigorous experimental frameworks including ablation studies, failure analysis, and benchmarking
• Translate validated research into production-grade systems selectively when applicable
• Develop defensible intellectual property including patents, technical artifacts, and research frameworks
• Author or co-author peer-reviewed papers, technical reports, and internal whitepapers
• Collaborate with senior researchers and engineers in an innovation-driven environment to shape long-term R&D direction
• Drive original thinking in ambiguous, undefined problem spaces where solutions must be invented, not assembled

Requirements:

• PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field
• 5+ years of post-PhD independent research-level ML experience (industry or academic)
• Demonstrated evidence of original ML invention, such as: First-author or lead-author peer-reviewed publications with meaningful impact, Patents or patent-pending machine learning methods, Novel architectures, algorithms, or learning frameworks, Creation of datasets, benchmarks, or evaluation systems used beyond a single team
• Deep experience with modern ML systems (e.g., Transformers, generative models, representation learning, multimodal AI)
• Strong proficiency in Python and at least one systems language (C++ or Java)
• Ability to move fluidly from theory → experimental design → validated implementation
• U.S.-based professional experience strongly preferred
• Have authored or co-authored highly impactful ML research
• Have contributed to patented or protected machine learning IP
• Have experience in research labs or innovation-driven R&D environments (academic or industrial)
• Have created new datasets, benchmarks, or evaluation methodologies adopted by others
• Can clearly articulate what is novel in your work — and why it matters
• Have demonstrated long-term ownership of complex, multi-phase research programs
• Thrive in ambiguous, open-ended problem spaces requiring invention rather than execution