AI Applied Scientist

Figma Figma · Enterprise · Canada +1 · Engineering

Figma is seeking an AI Applied Scientist to drive fundamental and applied research in AI, focusing on building cutting-edge Generative AI models and integrating them into Figma's products. The role involves prompt engineering, fine-tuning models, and developing evaluation systems, with a strong emphasis on research and development of AI/ML models and systems.

What you'd actually do

  1. You will be driving fundamental and applied research in AI. You will explore the boundaries of what is possible with the current technology set to build best in class models for Figma’s domains
  2. You will be combining industry best practices and a first-principles approach to build cutting edge Generative AI models, using techniques like Supervised Finetuning (SFT), Reinforcement Learning (RL), prompt improvements and synthetic data generation
  3. Work in concert with product and infrastructure engineers to improve Figma’s products through AI powered features
  4. Collaborate closely with product managers and engineers to transform user feedback into requirements for AI systems
  5. Build evaluation systems to measure and improve quality of AI features in Figma products

Skills

Required

  • Generative AI
  • prompt engineering
  • fine tuning models
  • PyTorch
  • JAX
  • HuggingFace
  • Reinforcement Learning
  • preference-based RL (DPO, PPO)
  • RL with verifiable rewards (RLVR)
  • GRPO/DAPO
  • machine learning
  • natural language processing/understanding
  • computer vision
  • Python
  • C++
  • Java
  • R

Nice to have

  • RL from execution feedback for Coding
  • RL with non-verifiable rewards
  • planning multi-year roadmap
  • mentoring/influencing senior engineers
  • large scale and distributed AI training

What the JD emphasized

  • Extensive experience in building generative AI features through prompt engineering, and fine tuning models in production environments
  • Experience training LLMs with Reinforcement Learning techniques such as preference-based RL (DPO, PPO) and/or RL with verifiable rewards (RLVR) such as GRPO/DAPO
  • 4+ years in Generative AI, and 6+ years of experience in one or more of the following areas: machine learning, natural language processing/understanding, computer vision
  • Strong software engineering skills with 5+ years of experience in programming languages (Python, C++, Java or R)

Other signals

  • building AI technologies
  • driving fundamental and applied research
  • design and build AI/ML models and systems
  • build cutting edge Generative AI models