Research Engineer - Model Architectures

ZYPHRA IS AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMPANY BASED IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

THE ROLE:

As a Research Engineer - Model Architectures, you will be a core contributor to Zyphra’s AI Architecture Research Team. This will involve designing and rigorously testing novel model architectures and training methodologies, with a focus on improving core modeling capabilities (e.g., loss per flop or loss per parameter) and addressing fundamental bottlenecks in contemporary models. You will also work extremely closely with our pre-training team, who will integrate your insights into our next-generation models.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR / REQUIREMENTS:

- Strong research taste and intuition

- The ability to work through a research project from conception to execution to write-up

- Strong implementation and prototyping ability can take an idea from conception to experimentation extremely quickly

- The ability to work well and cooperate with others in a high-paced research setting

- Curiosity, interest, and joy in understanding intelligence.

QUALIFICATIONS / ADDITIONAL SKILLS:

- Previous experience with long-term memory, RAG/retrieval systems, dynamic/adaptive computation, and alternative approaches to credit assignment

- Experience with reinforcement learning, control theory, and signal processing

- Generally, a joy in inventing and seriously assessing ‘crazy’ ideas, and the ability to have a unique perspective on things

- Understanding of modern training pipelines and the hardware requirements to design efficient architectures for GPU hardware

- Strong grasp of proper experimental methodology for running rigorous ablations and other hypothesis testing

- High proficiency with PyTorch and Python.

- Strong ability to jump into large pre-existing codebases and rapidly get up to speed and become productive

- Previously published machine learning research in well-respected venues

- Postgraduate degree in a scientific subject (Computer Science, EE/EECS, Math, Physics)

WHY WORK AT ZYPHRA:

- Our research methodology is to make grounded, methodical steps toward ambitious goals. Both deep research and engineering excellence are equally valued

- We strongly value new and crazy ideas and are very willing to bet big on new ideas

- We move as quickly as we can; we aim to minimize the bar to impact as low as possible

- We all enjoy what we do and love discussing AI

BENEFITS AND PERKS:

- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and FSA plans

- Competitive compensation and 401(k) plan

- Relocation and immigration support on a case-by-case basis

- In-office snacks and meals provided

- Unlimited PTO and company holidays

- In-person team in San Francisco with a collaborative, high-energy environment