ABOUT THE ROLE
We’re looking for a Principal Scientist (P60) to shape the data strategy behind Adobe Firefly’s multimodal foundation models (image, video, audio). In this role, you’ll work across research and engineering to improve how large-scale visual data is sourced, curated, and used to train high-quality generative models.
Your work will directly impact how Firefly understands concepts like style, motion, and real-world variation—helping deliver more realistic, controllable, and useful creative tools to millions of users. This is a senior individual contributor role with broad influence across teams and model generations.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
SHAPE GENERATION DATA STRATEGY
- Develop a long-term approach to generation-focused data that improves image, video, and audio synthesis at scale
- Guide decisions around data quality, diversity, and composition for foundation model training
- Explore new methods to address gaps in current data approaches and improve model performance
DRIVE DATA–MODEL COLLABORATION
- Work closely with model teams to align data design with model architecture and training behavior
- Build and refine data curricula across training stages (what data is used, when, and at what scale)
- Run and interpret experiments to understand how data impacts quality, motion, robustness, and efficiency
- Combine organic, synthetic, and model-generated data to improve learning outcomes
LEAD THROUGH INFLUENCE
- Partner with research, engineering, and product teams to guide data-related decisions
- Share insights that shape roadmaps across modeling, infrastructure, and applied research
- Support and mentor other scientists, contributing to a culture of strong experimentation and learning
- Help translate research ideas into scalable systems used in production models
WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED
- 10+ years of experience in ML, data systems, or AI research, including work on large-scale or foundation models
- Experience shaping data strategies, representations, or training approaches for generative or multimodal systems
- Expertise in image and/or video and audio generation, with a strong understanding of how data affects model behavior
- Understanding of how data, model architecture, and training dynamics interact
- Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and work effectively with technical and cross-functional partners
EDUCATION
- Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related field preferred
About Adobe
Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe’s industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.
Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.
** Let’s Adobe together**
At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.
Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more.
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AI Use Guidelines for Interviews: Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.
At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI — and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it’s restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.
Expected Pay Range:
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $206,300 -- $388,000 annually. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process.
In California, the pay range for this position is $268,000 - $388,000 In Washington, the pay range for this position is $247,200 - $357,900
At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).
In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.
State-Specific Notices:
California:
Fair Chance Ordinances
Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances.
Colorado:
Application Window Notice
If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.
Massachusetts:
Massachusetts Legal Notice
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.