Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Recommendation and Personalization

<div class="content-intro"><h2 data-pm-slice="1 1 []">About Crunchyroll</h2> <p>Founded by fans, Crunchyroll delivers the art and culture of anime to a passionate community. We super-serve over 100 million anime and manga fans across 200+ countries and territories, and help them connect with the stories and characters they crave. Whether that experience is online or in-person, streaming video, theatrical, games, merchandise, events and more, it’s powered by the anime content we all love.</p> <p>Join our team, and help us shape the future of anime!</p></div><h2 data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong>About the role</strong></h2> <p><span class="hl-blue-solid ai_replace" data-highlight-id="d8870ac6ca208eef30e4da568ba08865-0">In the role of Senior Machine Learning Engineer for Recommendation and Personalization, you will report to the Director of Data Science and Machine Learning in the Center for Data and Insights, working from Los Angeles or San Francisco area in California.</span> <span class="hl-blue-solid ai_replace" data-highlight-id="b72c519502385d208ebf2328d40bf109-0">You will lead the research, development, and test of advanced models, and work together with product and engineering partners to deliver tailored experiences for our fans across the anime ecosystem, including anime video recommendations, digital manga suggestions, merchandise personalization, anime-themed gaming, music, and more.</span> <span class="hl-blue-solid ai_replace" data-highlight-id="65816c50332221b73a8271ced1fcb0f7-0">This position will collaborate closely with scientists, engineers, product owners, to prototype innovative algorithms, evaluate their impact, and integrate them into production systems that drive user engagement, retention, discovery, and satisfaction.<br><br>We work a hybrid schedule, in-office three days a week; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. This position can be based in our Los Angeles or San Francisco offices.</span></p> <p><strong>Core <span class="hl-blue-solid replace" data-highlight-id="e650eec2d8d8472a918249e6e8a9af7e-0">Areas of Responsibility</span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span class="hl-blue-solid replace" data-highlight-id="35db324e3ef4c32ec1b92b0c8705bc6f-0">Research, design</span>, and implement machine learning algorithms for recommendation systems, including collaborative filtering, content-based models, and deep learning, and generative recommendation approaches to personalize content discoveries.</li> <li>Co-develop end-to-end ML pipelines for data ingestion, feature engineering, model training, evaluation, and deployment using scalable cloud platforms with engineers.</li> <li><span class="hl-blue-solid replace_or_delete" data-highlight-id="c971c2f7659fe68c424b128c20fb14c6-0">Optimize</span> models for accuracy, latency, and scalability to handle massive user interaction data from streaming and multi-platform, multi-domain experiences across the fandom.</li> <li>Integrate personalization solutions with other services, and implement monitoring for model performance, bias detection, and automated retraining.</li> <li>Collaborate on A/B testing, experimentation, and iterative improvements to refine recommendations based on user feedback and evolving content trends.</li> </ul> <p><strong>About You</strong></p> <p>We get excited about candidates, like you, because you have:</p> <p><strong><span class="hl-blue-solid ai_replace" data-highlight-id="e6ec73e4765644053c35abf7e5943a42-0">Experience:</span></strong><span class="hl-blue-solid ai_replace" data-highlight-id="e6ec73e4765644053c35abf7e5943a42-0"> You bring 8+ years of hands-on experience in applied machine learning, with a proven track record in building recommendation systems or personalization engines, ideally in media, entertainment, or e-commerce platforms.</span></p> <p><strong><span class="hl-blue-solid ai_replace" data-highlight-id="21a73bc464024e03e1cd2cf052f09457-0">Technical Skills:</span></strong><span class="hl-blue-solid ai_replace" data-highlight-id="21a73bc464024e03e1cd2cf052f09457-0"> Expert in Python and frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn, with proficiency in MLOps tools such as MLflow, Docker, and cloud services like AWS SageMaker, Databricks, or similar.</span> Experience with big data tools (e.g., Spark) and cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS/GCP) for handling large-scale datasets.</p> <p><strong><span class="hl-blue-solid replace_or_delete" data-highlight-id="3680cc8314b035fa7128ef59cffe2113-0">Cross-Functional</span> Collaborations:</strong> Experienced in partnering with data scientists and analysts, engineers, and product teams to deploy models that align with <span class="hl-blue-solid replace" data-highlight-id="6112fb4c6b66f834a5588ee42e2c7b9c-0">business objectives</span> like increasing user retention and content <span class="hl-blue-solid replace" data-highlight-id="3811a80ddbb8eb756c86bd8dedc061ea-0">consumption</span>.</p> <p><strong><span class="hl-red-solid replace_or_delete" data-highlight-id="c75ea7ab6c497e689ce7f3fe689c7563-0">Communication Skills</span>:</strong> <span class="hl-blue-solid replace_or_delete" data-highlight-id="6c0d963d2e4686c2de64d81fa921282d-0">Strong</span> ability to document research findings, explain algorithmic choices, and present results to diverse <span class="hl-blue-solid replace_or_delete" data-highlight-id="739cd8ee1c8fb2bbf130b1077303cd4b-0">stakeholders</span> for <span class="hl-blue-solid replace_or_delete" data-highlight-id="ec1ce7c82f91cc09efa213773111a49f-0">effective</span> adoption.</p> <p><strong>Educational Background:</strong> Graduate degree (MS or <span class="hl-red-solid delete" data-highlight-id="bae04d98615c1223cc0161ba19e155d6-0">PhD</span>) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, or a related quantitative field, with publications or contributions in recommendation systems being <span class="hl-red-solid delete" data-highlight-id="323f36660174059b5b76461e4d6d8887-0">a plus</span>.</p> <h2><strong>About the Team</strong></h2> <p><span class="hl-blue-solid ai_replace" data-highlight-id="659155d243ebe63d018ae2b1fefd53fb-0">Our team is composed of passionate Machine Learning Engineers and Data Scientists who have already made a significant impact across our product offerings, content strategy, and user engagement metrics.</span> <span class="hl-blue-solid ai_replace" data-highlight-id="60ee254fb252e78aaf475159d21d7b8d-0">As we expand our scope, our team is poised to become the cornerstone of innovation and growth across various business verticals within the company.</span> We are dedicated to <span class="hl-blue-solid replace_or_delete" data-highlight-id="d6660cf7080eda2ae1cb82e587560b39-0">leveraging</span> advanced machine learning techniques to continue transforming how users <span class="hl-blue-solid replace" data-highlight-id="63a0dba6ee45dc6599e5f7896b906f1b-0">interact with</span> and enjoy our offering of video contents and all other services.</p> <h2>Why <span class="hl-green-solid warn" data-highlight-id="d22bc9329e8e18e9426045f396a811e2-0">you will</span> love working at Crunchyroll</h2> <p>In addition to getting to work with fun, passionate and inspired colleagues, <span class="hl-green-solid warn" data-highlight-id="218feaf4089467b2ab9efc563726bd5a-0">you will</span> also enjoy the following benefits and perks:</p> <div class="has-nudge" data-nudge-id="b6920d2c-1878-41f3-b171-8ee61651a03b"> <ul> <li>Receive a great compensation package including salary plus <span class="hl-green-solid warn" data-highlight-id="bd9cb61bd5513a3ad36db51b03d46247-0">performance bonus</span> earning potential, paid annually.</li> <li><span class="hl-green-solid warn" data-highlight-id="e523cb36510e56309b17c3fe9ab4a166-0">Flexible time off</span> policies allowing you to take the time you need to be your whole self.</li> <li>Generous <span class="hl-green-solid warn" data-highlight-id="4c5abc4f07b88f344146445c61885633-0">medical, dental, vision</span>, STD, LTD, and <span class="hl-green-solid warn" data-highlight-id="b54c5b4cdc02fd0962f1746cb0d672b8-0">life insurance</span></li> <li>Health Saving Account HSA program</li> <li>Health care and <span class="hl-green-solid warn" data-highlight-id="74d3e366ebf22fdb0e246887878cade0-0">dependent care FSA</span></li> <li><span class="hl-green-solid warn" data-highlight-id="7ccc74a8f03de934b63a77db54c9e386-0">401(k) plan</span>, with employer match</li> <li>Employer paid <span class="hl-green-solid warn" data-highlight-id="480adf05ee4d2edc18f3fcf5083dd5c2-0">commuter benefit</span></li> <li>Support program for new parents</li> <li>Pet insurance and some of our offices are <span class="hl-green-solid warn" data-highlight-id="7160c0d416d1e4c99acd65d3a1338a37-0">pet friendly</span>!</li> </ul> </div> <p>#LifeAtCrunchyroll #LI-Hybrid</p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Pay Range for this position is listed. Actual pay will vary based on factors including, but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of Crunchyroll’s Total Rewards offerings for employees. Other rewards may include performance bonuses, employer matched retirement savings, time-off programs, and progressive health benefits and perks.</span></div><div class="title">Pay Transparency - Los Angeles, CA</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$185,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$225,000 USD</span></div></div><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Pay Range for this position is listed. Actual pay will vary based on factors including, but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of Crunchyroll’s Total Rewards offerings for employees. Other rewards may include performance bonuses, employer matched retirement savings, time-off programs, and progressive health benefits and perks.</span></div><div class="title">Pay Transparency - San Francisco, CA</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$205,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$240,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><h3 data-pm-slice="1 1 []">About our Values</h3> <p>We want to be everything for someone rather than something for everyone and we do this by living and modeling our values in all that we do. We value</p> <ul> <li> <p>Courage. We believe that when we overcome fear, we enable our best selves.</p> </li> <li> <p>Curiosity. We are curious, which is the gateway to empathy, inclusion, and understanding.</p> </li> <li>Kaizen. We have a growth mindset committed to constant forward progress.</li> <li> <p>Service. We serve our community with humility, enabling joy and belonging for others.</p> </li> </ul> <h3>Our commitment to diversity and inclusion</h3> <p>Our mission of helping people belong reflects our commitment to diversity &amp; inclusion. It's just the way we do business.</p> <p>We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at Crunchyroll. Pursuant to applicable law, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.</p> <p>Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between US-based Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Japan's Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation.</p> <p><em data-stringify-type="italic">Questions about Crunchyroll’s hiring process? Please check out our Hiring FAQs:&nbsp;</em><em data-stringify-type="italic"><a href="https://help.crunchyroll.com/hc/en-us/articles/360040471712-Crunchyroll-Hiring-FAQs">https://help.crunchyroll.com/hc/en-us/articles/360040471712-Crunchyroll-Hiring-FAQs</a></em></p> <p><em data-stringify-type="italic">Please refer to our&nbsp;Candidate Privacy Policy for more information about how we process your personal information, and your data protection rights: <a href="https://tbcdn.talentbrew.com/company/22978/v1_0/docs/spe-jobs-privacy-policy-update-for-crpa-dec-21-22.pdf">https://tbcdn.talentbrew.com/company/22978/v1_0/docs/spe-jobs-privacy-policy-update-for-crpa-dec-21-22.pdf</a></em></p> <p>Please beware of recent scams to online job seekers. Those applying to our job openings will only be contacted directly from @crunchyroll.com email account.</p></div>