Lead Machine Learning Engineer, Ads Research

Disney
Seattle, WA, USA / Santa Monica, CA, USA / Glendale, CA, USA2026-02-05Full time

About the job

This position will be responsible for working across multiple machine learning areas with primary focus on specialization in generative AI applications, including generative mixed media, language models, and other agentic multimodal technologies. Areas of work may include generative video, generative image, generative audio, chatbots, LLM applications, and mixed agentic workflows. Work will additionally include traditional machine learning applications as well, including development of classical ML models to optimize advertisement marketplace operations.

Responsibilities

Develop, optimize, and productionize innovative technologies in generative AI (mixed media, video, and agentic LLM applications) as well as in traditional ML modeling applications.

Create, evaluate, improve, optimize technologies

Drive innovation and apply state of the art AI and machine learning across advertising domains, including inventory forecasting, ad experience, ad pacing, pricing, targeting, and efficient ad delivery.

Invent and iterate on novel solutions to complex advertising challenges with rapid prototyping and deployment cycles.

Design, build, and scale robust ML systems that power core ad platform capabilities

Champion engineering excellence through best practices in code quality, system design, and operational reliability.

Mentor and support junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical growth.

Qualifications

Minimum

Bachelor's in computer science or equivalent experience.

Prior experience rigorously developing, researching, and/or productionizing any of the following generative AI modeling or AI-based editing domains: image, video, mixed media, audio, LLMs, or agentic flows. For example: experience with diffusion models, flow models, similar generative techniques, agentic applications, etc.

Very strong interest to self-teach via publications and training resources in generative modeling including in generative video and diffusion modeling.

Experience creating ML datasets (especially in computer vision or generative AI) or developing rigorous quality evaluation processes or data labeling processes. Must include an appreciation for the importance of rigorous quality evaluation processes.

Experience developing language-processing applications via LLMs or agentic flows.

Minimum 7 years of hands-on experience developing and deploying large-scale machine learning systems.

Strong knowledge of AI/ML technologies, mathematics and statistics.

Excellent communication, collaboration skills, and a strong teamwork ethic with both technical and non-technical audiences.

Strong foundations in algorithms, data structures, and numerical optimization with experience in programming languages such as Python (primary), Java and SQL

Preferred

MS or PhD (preferred) in computer science or equivalent experience.

Experience with multimodal models and embedding techniques.

Computer vision or visual content understanding experience.

Experience in digital video advertising or digital marketing domain. Diffusion model or generative AI controls research experience. (Otherwise strong interest to learn).