Staff Machine Learning Engineer, Dating Outcomes

Hinge is on a mission to inspire intimate connection to create a less lonely world. The Dating Outcomes group ensures users see compatible matches, present themselves effectively, and start meaningful conversations. This Staff Machine Learning Engineer role involves building AI-first dating experiences, recommendation systems, experimenting with LLMs, photo and mixed input embedding models, and deploying real-time predictive models to impact millions of users. You will define the strategy and accelerate machine learning at Hinge.

Must Have

• Design and own foundational research and models for recommendations ecosystem
• Identify next step change in technical capabilities and move state-of-the-art applied research into production
• Design and implement solutions prioritizing availability, scalability, operational excellence, and cost management
• Collaborate closely with Directors and VP+ to understand and shape Hinge’s strategic direction
• Coach, mentor, and educate Machine Learning Engineers on current and SOA research, technologies, and best practices
• Proficiency in languages like Python, Java, or C++
• Deep understanding of low-level deep learning computation fundamentals
• Proven track record of research, training, and deployment of DNNs at scale
• Deep understanding of distributed computing for learning, data processing, and inference
• Ability to utilize cloud environments such as GCP, AWS, or Azure
• Deep understanding of various DNN architectures
• Track record of building, debugging, and fine-tuning models
• Track record of deploying, managing, and orchestrating offline and online deep learning models at scale
• Skills in handling and managing large datasets, including data cleaning, preprocessing, and storage
• Deep understanding of batch and streaming pipelines
• Familiarity with orchestrators like Argo and Airflow
• Ability to work effectively in a team and communicate complex ideas clearly
• Ability to communicate complex ideas and technical knowledge through documentation
• Track record of leading projects through completion with quantifiable and measurable outcomes
• 8+ years of experience as an MLE
• 4+ years of experience working in a cloud environment such as GCP, AWS, Azure, and with dev-ops tooling such as Kubernetes
• 4+ years of experience in designing and developing online and production grade ML systems
• 3+ years of experience leading projects with at least 2 other team members
• A degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field

Good to Have

• Familiarity with ML serving solutions like Ray, Databricks, KubeFlow, or W&B
• Proven ability to influence company strategy and direction

Perks & Benefits

• 401(k) Matching: 100% of the first 10% of pre-tax 401(k) contributions, up to $10,000 per year
• Professional Growth: Annual Learning & Development stipend after three months, free access to Udemy
• Parental Leave & Planning: 100% paid parental leave (20 paid weeks for both birth and non-birth parents)
• Fertility Support: Easy access to fertility care through Carrot, stipend towards fertility preservation
• Date Stipend: $100 monthly stipend for dates, free Hinge Premium for employees and loved ones
• ERGs: Access to eight Employee Resource Groups (Asian, Unapologetic, Disability, LGBTQIA+, Raices, Women/Nonbinary, Parents)

About the Role:

The Dating Outcomes group is responsible for ensuring that people see their most compatible matches, helping them present themselves more effectively, and start meaningful conversations when they match. In short, we help people go on great dates!

We are hiring Staff Machine Learning Engineers to help us build the foundations of an AI first dating experience using the latest advancements in the field, leveraging Hinge’s years of preference data. You can expect to build recommendation systems end to end, experiment with using LLMs, photo and mixed input embedding models, as well as build and deploy real-time predictive models that directly impact the experience of millions of users. This is a fast-growing team, and you will have the opportunity to own and define the strategy, vision, and plan for accelerating machine learning at Hinge.

Responsibilities

• Design and own foundational research and models that power our recommendations ecosystem.
• Identify the next step change in our technical capabilities, conduct state-of-the-art applied research, and move them into production using best practices in machine learning engineering.
• Design and implement solutions that prioritize availability, scalability, operational excellence, and cost management, while delivering incremental impact to our daters.
• Collaborate closely with Directors and VP+ to understand and shape Hinge’s strategic direction, as well as work with other Machine Learning Engineers, Product Managers, Data Engineers, and Scientists to make that a reality.
• Coach, mentor, and educate Machine Learning Engineers on current and SOA research, technologies, and best practices of practicing machine learning at scale.

What We're Looking For

• Strong programming skills: Proficiency in languages like Python, Java, or C++ and a deep understanding of low-level deep learning computation fundamentals.
• System design & architecture: Proven track record of research, training, and deployment of DNNs at scale. Deep understanding of distributed computing for learning, data processing, and inference.
• Cloud platform proficiency: The ability to utilize cloud environments such as GCP, AWS, or Azure. Familiarity with ML serving solutions like Ray, Databricks, KubeFlow, or W&B is a plus.
• ML knowledge: Deep understanding of various DNN architectures, track record of building, debugging, and fine-tuning models.
• DevOps skills: Track record of deploying, managing, and orchestrating offline and online deep learning models at scale.
• Data engineering knowledge: Skills in handling and managing large datasets, including data cleaning, preprocessing, and storage. Deep understanding of batch and streaming pipelines as well as orchestrators like Argo and Airflow.
• Collaboration and communication skills: The ability to work effectively in a team and communicate complex ideas clearly with individuals from diverse technical and non-technical backgrounds. Proven ability to influence company strategy and direction is a plus.
• Strong written communication: The ability to communicate complex ideas and technical knowledge through documentation
• Software leadership skills: A track record of leading projects through completion with quantifiable and measurable outcomes.
• 8+ years of experience, depending on education, as an MLE.
• 4+ years of experience working in a cloud environment such as GCP, AWS, Azure, and with dev-ops tooling such as Kubernetes.
• 4+ years of experience in designing and developing online and production grade ML systems.
• 3+ years of experience leading projects with at least 2 other team members through completion.
• A degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field.

As a member of our team, you’ll enjoy:

401(k) Matching: We match 100% of the first 10% of pre-tax 401(k) contributions you make, up to a maximum of $10,000 per year.

Professional Growth: Get an annual Learning & Development stipend once you’ve been with us for three months. You also get free access to Udemy, an online learning and teaching marketplace with over 6000 courses, starting your first day.

Parental Leave & Planning: When you become a new parent, you’re eligible for 100% paid parental leave (20 paid weeks for both birth and non-birth parents.)

Fertility Support: You’ll get easy access to fertility care through Carrot, from basic treatments to fertility preservation. We also provide a stipend towards fertility preservation. You and your spouse/domestic partner are both eligible.

Date Stipend: All Hinge employees receive a $100 monthly stipend for epic dates– Romantic or otherwise. Hinge Premium is also free for employees and their loved ones.

ERGs: We have eight Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)—Asian, Unapologetic, Disability, LGBTQIA+, Raices, Women/Nonbinary, Parents —that hold regular meetings, host events, and provide dedicated support to the organization & its community.

At Hinge, our core values are…

Authenticity: We share, never hide, our words, actions and intentions.

Courage: We embrace lofty goals and tough challenges.

Empathy: We deeply consider the perspective of others.

Diversity inspires innovation

Hinge is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity at our company and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We believe success is created by a diverse workforce of individuals with different ideas, strengths, interests, and cultural backgrounds.

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please let your Talent Acquisition partner know.

#Hinge

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.