Generative AI Scientist — Applied ML (Remote)

# Generative AI Scientist — Applied ML for Design

## About the Role

Figma is seeking an **Applied Scientist with a Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence background** to build AI technologies that improve Figma products and help shape the future of design and collaboration. This role combines fundamental and applied research with hands-on development of AI/ML models and systems for Figma's domains.

You will work with product and infrastructure engineers, product managers, and other cross-functional partners to develop **Generative AI features**, translate user feedback into AI system requirements, and build evaluation systems that measure and improve feature quality. This is a full-time role that can be based at a U.S. hub or worked remotely within the United States.

## Key Responsibilities

• - Drive fundamental and applied research in AI.
• - Explore the capabilities and limitations of current AI technologies to develop models for Figma's domains.
• - Build cutting-edge Generative AI models using techniques such as:
• - Supervised Fine-Tuning (SFT)
• - Reinforcement Learning (RL)
• - Prompt improvement
• - Synthetic data generation
• - Apply industry best practices and first-principles approaches to AI/ML model and system development.
• - Work with product and infrastructure engineers to improve Figma products through AI-powered features.
• - Collaborate with product managers and engineers to translate user feedback into requirements for AI systems.
• - Build evaluation systems to measure and improve the quality of AI features.
• - Develop and deploy Generative AI features using prompt engineering and model fine-tuning.
• - Contribute to AI research and applied machine learning initiatives across Figma's products.

## Required Qualifications

• - Extensive experience building **Generative AI features** using prompt engineering and fine-tuning models in production environments.
• - Experience with deep learning and Generative AI frameworks such as **PyTorch, JAX, or Hugging Face**.
• - Experience training **LLMs with reinforcement learning techniques**, such as:
• - Preference-based RL, including DPO or PPO
• - RL with verifiable rewards (RLVR), including GRPO or DAPO
• - **4+ years of experience in Generative AI.**
• - **6+ years of experience** in one or more of:
• - Machine learning
• - Natural language processing/natural language understanding (NLP/NLU)
• - Computer vision
• - **5+ years of programming experience** with languages such as Python, C++, Java, or R.
• - Strong software engineering skills.
• - Experience communicating and working across functions to drive solutions.

## Preferred Qualifications

• - Experience with RL from execution feedback for coding.
• - Experience with reinforcement learning using non-verifiable rewards.
• - Proven track record of planning multi-year roadmaps where shorter-term projects contribute toward a long-term vision.
• - Experience mentoring or influencing senior engineers across organizations.
• - Expertise working on large-scale and distributed AI training.

## Skills & Competencies

• - Generative AI
• - Applied machine learning
• - Artificial intelligence
• - Deep learning
• - Large language models (LLMs)
• - Natural language processing / understanding
• - Computer vision
• - Prompt engineering
• - Model fine-tuning
• - Supervised Fine-Tuning (SFT)
• - Reinforcement Learning (RL)
• - DPO
• - PPO
• - RLVR
• - GRPO
• - DAPO
• - Synthetic data generation
• - AI evaluation systems
• - PyTorch
• - JAX
• - Hugging Face
• - Python
• - C++
• - Java
• - R
• - Software engineering
• - AI research
• - Cross-functional collaboration
• - Technical communication

## Education & Experience

**Education**

- No specific education requirement is stated in the source job description.

**Experience**

• - **4+ years in Generative AI** is required.
• - **6+ years in machine learning, NLP/NLU, computer vision, or a combination of these areas** is required.
• - **5+ years of programming experience** with Python, C++, Java, or R is required.
• - Production experience building Generative AI features and fine-tuning models is required.
• - Experience with deep learning and Generative AI frameworks is required.
• - Experience training LLMs using specified reinforcement learning techniques is required.

## Work Arrangement & Schedule

• - **Work arrangement:** Remote or U.S. hub-based
• - **Remote eligibility:** United States
• - **Location:** San Francisco, CA, US (Remote)
• - **Employment type:** Full-time
• - **Expected weekly hours:** Not specified.
• - **Schedule flexibility:** Not specified.
• - **Weekend requirements:** Not specified.

## Compensation & Benefits

• - **Annual base salary range for SF/NY hub:** **$149,000–$350,000 USD**
• - For eligible remote roles, the pay range is localized based on employee work location at **80%–100% of the stated range**.
• - Equity
• - Health, dental, and vision benefits
• - Retirement with company contribution
• - Parental leave and reproductive/family planning support
• - Mental health and wellness benefits
• - Generous PTO
• - Company recharge days
• - Learning and development stipend
• - Work-from-home stipend
• - Cell phone reimbursement
• - Annual bonus plan for eligible non-sales roles

## Compliance / Additional Information

Figma is an **equal opportunity workplace** committed to employment opportunities regardless of protected characteristics, including race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, and veteran status.

Figma considers qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with legal requirements and provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the application, interview, and employment process.