Distinguished Engineer, Machine Learning Systems - Economy

About the role

As a Distinguished Engineer at Roblox, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of machine learning systems that drive our economic experiences. This position focuses on leading the technical strategy and direction for large-scale machine learning applications, particularly in the realms of recommendations, infrastructure, and innovative Generative AI technologies. You will be part of a dynamic team that is dedicated to enhancing the personalization and efficiency of our platform, ultimately enriching the experiences of millions of users worldwide.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Define and implement the technical vision for machine learning systems that enhance core economic functionalities, including personalization, ranking, and generative modeling.
• Develop and refine infrastructure for training, serving, and assessing both traditional machine learning models and Generative AI frameworks, such as embedding-based retrieval and transformer models.
• Collaborate closely with Generative AI teams to investigate multi-modal embeddings, avatar creation, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) within economic contexts.
• Lead initiatives aimed at optimizing the performance of machine learning systems, focusing on low-latency serving, efficient GPU training, and cost-effective inference methodologies.
• Oversee the creation of robust ML pipelines, online feature stores, and experimentation platforms that cater to both predictive and generative applications.
• Work alongside engineering managers, technical leads, and product stakeholders to ensure that technical architecture aligns with business objectives.
• Mentor senior engineers, fostering a strong technical culture within the Economy ML team and promoting best practices.
• Guarantee the robustness, observability, and scalability of machine learning systems that facilitate millions of daily economic transactions.
• Take ownership of the architecture for some of Roblox's most essential machine learning systems, ensuring they meet the demands of our growing user base.
• Collaborate across various teams at Roblox to push the boundaries of machine learning and artificial intelligence within the organization.
• Address real-world challenges that have a significant impact on users, enabling millions of personalized and intelligent economic interactions every day.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in software engineering or machine learning infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on large-scale machine learning systems.
• Extensive knowledge in developing recommendation systems, ranking frameworks, or real-time personalization engines.
• Practical experience with Generative AI technologies, including transformer-based models, large language models (LLMs), embeddings, or RAG pipelines.
• Proven track record in distributed training, model deployment, and GPU-accelerated workflows.
• Strong grasp of machine learning system architecture, including data pipelines, feature stores, inference optimization, and experimentation tools.
• A systems-oriented mindset with a keen understanding of scale, cost, performance, and reliability considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead significant technical projects and mentor senior engineers effectively.
• A degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related discipline (BS, MS, or PhD).

Nice to have

• Experience with cloud-based machine learning services and platforms.
• Familiarity with user-generated content (UGC) and its implications for machine learning systems.
• Knowledge of economic models and their application within digital environments.
• Previous involvement in large-scale system design and architecture.
• Understanding of ethical considerations in AI and machine learning.

Skills & tools

• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++.
• Familiarity with machine learning frameworks and libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar.
• Experience with data management and processing tools, including SQL and NoSQL databases.
• Knowledge of cloud computing platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Practical notes

For candidates based in San Mateo, CA, the starting base salary for this role ranges from $397,460 to $455,720 USD. Actual compensation may vary based on various factors, including professional experience, education, and market conditions. All full-time employees are eligible for equity compensation and benefits as outlined on our careers page.

Roblox is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, prohibiting discrimination and harassment based on various characteristics. We also offer reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities or religious beliefs during the recruitment process.

Please note that for this position, the company may have limitations on employing candidates who require specific U.S. work authorizations or H-1B sponsorship at this time.