Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Instacart

• Have a graduate degree (masters or PhD) in artificial intelligence, machine learning, operations research or equivalent self study and experience
• A deep understanding of machine learning algorithms and techniques, with fluency in modern research and literature
• Strong programming skills in software engineering (e.g., Python, Go), along with expertise in data manipulation using tools (SQL, Spark, and Pandas), and ML frameworks (Torch, Tensorflow, XGBoost)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) and can collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders across all levels
• Demonstrated experience in using advanced algorithms or machine learning to deliver material business results

Desirable

• As a senior machine learning engineer in the Ads Quality team, you'll work with a team of software and machine learning engineers to build state-of-the-art systems that optimize ad performance throughout the ads serving funnel, from retrieval to pricing
• Building on Instacart’s unique data and market position, these systems create value for advertising partners, improve consumer experience, and directly contribute to Instacart's overall revenue / business success
• You'll have the unique opportunity to collaborate with a cross-functional team, turning diverse insights into powerful solutions that elevate advertising effectiveness
• Your expertise will steer the development of sophisticated algorithms and machine learning models, driving performance gains across our advertising platform
• Together, we'll build an ads ecosystem that not only serves millions but also excels in delivering value to users and advertisers alike
• Instacart Ads is transforming the online grocery shopping experience by seamlessly integrating advanced advertising solutions into our platform
• The Ads Quality team is dedicated to delivering outstanding advertising outcomes by driving innovation and precision in response prediction, advertiser optimization, and ads auction processes
• Our mission is to ensure relevance, fairness, and performance for all participants in the ad ecosystem
• By leveraging terabytes of data and sophisticated machine learning algorithms, we build advanced predictive models that enhance user experience, drive advertiser success, and sustain a thriving ad ecosystem
• We're also at the forefront of integrating Large Language Models (LLMs), unlocking powerful new capabilities that are redefining how brands connect with consumers in the digital grocery space
• Design, develop, and deploy machine learning solutions to tackle practical challenges in our complex marketplace while advancing the training and serving infrastructure
• Collaborate closely with product managers, data scientists, and other engineers to deeply understand business needs and create impactful ML applications
• Actively engage with diverse stakeholders to ensure that solutions are well-integrated and aligned with business goals
• Push the envelope on our operational efficiency by continually refining and advancing our algorithms and models
• Mentor junior engineers, set technical direction, and conduct thorough code reviews to ensure high code quality and maintainability. Lead by example in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence