Software Engineer (ML)

About The Company

Discord is a leading multiplatform communication platform that connects people through shared interests, particularly in gaming, entertainment, and community building. With a mission to foster meaningful connections, Discord offers voice, video, and text communication tools that enable users to create vibrant communities and deepen their friendships. Recognized for its innovative approach to social interaction, Discord continues to expand its features and reach, making it a pivotal platform in the digital social landscape. The company values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration, striving to create an environment where all employees can thrive and contribute to shaping the future of online communication.

About The Role

Discord is seeking a highly skilled Staff Software Engineer specializing in Machine Learning to join our Discovery/Engagement ML team. This role is central to developing and implementing advanced machine learning solutions that enhance user engagement, personalization, and content discovery across our platform. As a key member of the team, you will be responsible for designing scalable, high-performance ML systems that power features used by millions of users daily.

You will set technical direction, tackle systemic challenges, and drive innovation to improve the overall user experience. This position offers an exciting opportunity to influence the future of social and gaming communities by leveraging cutting-edge ML techniques such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, and optimization algorithms.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in applied Machine Learning, with a strong background in computer science or related fields.
• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or a related discipline.
• Deep expertise in mainstream Recommendation System (RecSys) architectures such as two-tower, transformer-based models, multi-task learning, and wide & deep models.
• Proficiency in Python and experience with ML frameworks like PyTorch, JAX, or TensorFlow.
• Extensive experience building scalable, performant machine learning systems from conception through deployment.
• Strong product intuition with a focus on user feedback and real-world impact.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, capable of leading cross-functional technical initiatives.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments and solve complex, open-ended problems.

Responsibilities

• Set architectural direction and elevate the technical standards of the ML team by addressing systemic challenges and fostering innovation.
• Design, develop, and scale robust recommender systems that support product features used by millions of users daily.
• Build and deploy advanced ML models utilizing deep learning, reinforcement learning, and optimization techniques to boost user engagement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define ML-driven product roadmaps, balancing rapid iteration with system scalability and long-term robustness.
• Lead efforts to improve system performance, efficiency, and reliability, ensuring seamless integration of ML solutions into production environments.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in machine learning and incorporate them into the team’s projects.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $272,000 to $306,000, complemented by equity options and comprehensive benefits.
• Flexible remote work arrangements with the option to work from the San Francisco office if preferred.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and leave policies to support work-life balance.
• Opportunities for professional growth, learning, and development within a dynamic team.
• Inclusive and diverse workplace environment committed to equity and inclusion.

Equal Opportunity

Discord is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees and applicants are treated with respect and fairness. We provide reasonable accommodations during the interview process for individuals with disabilities.