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Senior AI Research Engineer

Duolingo - Pittsburgh, PA, United States - In-office - posted 2026-07-29

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Salary: USD 197,200 - 266,800 / annual

Duolingo is seeking a Senior AI Research Engineer to join the Video Call team, which builds AI systems supporting the core learning mission for half a billion learners worldwide. This role focuses on developing and training machine learning models including large-scale neural networks, speech recognition, and text-to-speech systems that enhance the learning experience and help users build productive habits. You will work in a full-stack team alongside frontend, backend, and other AI research engineers in a collaborative, innovative environment. Key responsibilities include contributing to the development and training of various ML models, collaborating with cross-functional teams to align model outputs with company objectives, and participating in strategic product and business decision-making with the Language Learning leadership group. You will mentor team members, provide guidance on professional development, and ensure delivery of high-quality, scalable, and efficient ML solutions. The role requires staying current with the latest ML developments and applying that knowledge to drive advancements. You will have experience across multiple levels of the ML stack, including feature engineering, developing training data, fine-tuning, reinforcement learning, quality evaluations, deployment, and monitoring. Required qualifications include proven experience as an AI research engineer (LLMs, multimodal modeling, speech, or related fields), strong background in training and fine-tuning large models in applied settings, and an advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field with ML/AI focus (or equivalent experience). You need excellent leadership and communication skills, technical depth to guide architecture and implementation trade-offs, and deep understanding of ML concepts, frameworks, and best practices.

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