Machine Learning Engineer

1 Month ago • All levels • Research Development • $120,000 PA - $220,000 PA

Job Summary

Job Description

HappyRobot is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to build AI models for human-like conversations, working at the intersection of speech, language, and intelligence. This role involves transforming cutting-edge research into real-time, scalable systems. The engineer will own the entire lifecycle of ML systems, from design to deployment, and contribute to the company's fast growth in the logistics industry. Responsibilities include designing, building, and optimizing ML models, creating scalable pipelines, staying updated on AI research, collaborating with product and engineering teams, and ensuring robustness and efficiency of AI systems. The company is backed by a16z and YC, offering a high-growth environment with significant impact potential.
Must have:
  • Strong experience in machine learning, deep learning, and NLP.
  • Hands-on experience with PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.
  • Solid coding skills in Python; familiarity with production ML practices.
  • Ability to design and optimize models for performance and scalability.
  • Passion for AI and product impact.
  • Founder mindset: Hard work, independence, and ownership.
Good to have:
  • Experience in speech recognition, TTS, or audio processing.
  • Knowledge of LLMs, generative AI, or real-time systems.
  • Experience in startup environments and fast iteration cycles.
  • Familiarity with MLOps tools (e.g., MLflow, Weights & Biases).
Perks:
  • Opportunity to work at a high-growth AI startup.
  • Fast growth backed by a16z and YC.
  • Ownership and autonomy.
  • Top-tier compensation (competitive salary + equity).
  • Comprehensive Benefits (Healthcare, dental, vision coverage).
  • Work with a world-class team of engineers and builders.

Job Details

About Happyrobot

HappyRobot is a platform to build and deploy AI workers that automate communication. 

Our AI workers connect to any system or data source to handle phone calls, email, messages…

We target the logistics industry which relies heavily on communication to book, check on, & pay for freight. Primarily working with freight brokers, 3PLs, freight forwarders, shippers, warehouses, & other supply chain enterprises and tech startups.

We raised a Series A round from a16z and YC and we’re growing very fast.

We're looking for rockstars with a relentless drive, unstoppable energy, and a true passion for building something great—ready to embrace the challenge, push limits, and thrive in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment.

About the Role

You’ll be building AI models that make human-like conversations possible. You’ll work at the intersection of speech, language, and intelligence, taking cutting-edge research and transforming it into real-time, scalable systems that power our core products. You’ll have the unique opportunity to make a huge impact as one of our first ML hires, shaping not only the technology but also the direction of our company. From designing robust models to deploying them in production, you’ll own the entire lifecycle of ML systems and help us stay ahead of the curve in AI innovation.

Responsibilities

  • Design, build, and optimize ML models for speech and language understanding.

  • Build and maintain scalable pipelines for training, testing, and deploying models.

  • Stay up-to-date with the latest in AI research and help us stay ahead of the curve.

  • Collaborate closely with product and engineering teams to integrate models into our core products.

  • Ensure robustness, efficiency, and low-latency in all production AI systems.

Must Have

  • Strong experience in machine learning, deep learning, and NLP.

  • Hands-on experience with PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.

  • Solid coding skills in Python; familiarity with production ML practices.

  • Ability to design and optimize models for both performance and scalability.

  • Passion for AI and product impact.

  • Founder mindset: Hard work + independence + ownership.

Nice to Have

  • Experience in speech recognition, TTS, or audio processing.

  • Knowledge of LLMs, generative AI, or real-time systems.

  • Experience in startup environments and fast iteration cycles.

  • Familiarity with MLOps tools (e.g., MLflow, Weights & Biases).

Why join us?

  • Opportunity to work at a high-growth AI startup, backed by top investors.

  • Fast Growth - Backed by a16z and YC, on track for double-digit ARR.

  • Ownership & Autonomy - Take full ownership of projects and ship fast.

  • Top-Tier Compensation - Competitive salary + equity in a high-growth startup.

  • Comprehensive Benefits - Healthcare, dental, vision coverage.

  • Work With the Best - Join a world-class team of engineers and builders

Our Operating Principles


Extreme Ownership

We take full responsibility for our work, outcomes, and team success. No excuses, no blame-shifting — if something needs fixing, we own it and make it better. This means stepping up, even when it’s not “your job.” If a ball is dropped, we pick it up. If a customer is unhappy, we fix it. If a process is broken, we redesign it. We don’t wait for someone else to solve it — we lead with accountability and expect the same from those around us.

Craftsmanship

Putting care and intention into every task, striving for excellence, and taking deep ownership of the quality and outcome of your work. Craftsmanship means never settling for “just fine.” We sweat the details because details compound. Whether it’s a product feature, an internal doc, or a sales call — we treat it as a reflection of our standards. We aim to deliver jaw-dropping customer experiences by being curious, meticulous, and proud of what we build — even when nobody’s watching.

We are “majos”
Be friendly & have fun with your coworkers. Always be genuine & honest, but kind. “Majo” is our way of saying: be a good human. Be approachable, helpful, and warm. We’re building something ambitious, and it’s easier (and more fun) when we enjoy the ride together. We give feedback with kindness, challenge each other with respect, and celebrate wins together without ego.

Urgency with Focus
Create the highest impact in the shortest amount of time. Move fast, but in the right direction. We operate with speed because time is our most limited resource. But speed without focus is chaos. We prioritize ruthlessly, act decisively, and stay aligned. We aim for high leverage: the biggest results from the simplest, smartest actions. We’re running a high-speed marathon — not a sprint with no strategy.

Talent Density and Meritocracy
Hire only people who can raise the average; ‘exceptional performance is the passing grade.’ Ability trumps seniority. We believe the best teams are built on talent density — every hire should raise the bar. We reward contribution, not titles or tenure. We give ownership to those who earn it, and we all hold each other to a high standard. A-players want to work with other A-players — that’s how we win.

First-Principles Thinking
Strip a problem to physics-level facts, ignore industry dogma, rebuild the solution from scratch. We don’t copy-paste solutions. We go back to basics, ask why things are the way they are, and rebuild from the ground up if needed. This mindset pushes us to innovate, challenge stale assumptions, and move faster than incumbents. It’s how we build what others think is impossible.

The personal data provided in your application and during the selection process will be processed by Happyrobot, Inc., acting as Data Controller.

By sending us your CV, you consent to the processing of your personal data for the purpose of evaluating and selecting you as a candidate for the position. Your personal data will be treated confidentially and will only be used for the recruitment process of the selected job offer.

In relation to the period of conservation of your personal data, these will be eliminated after three months of inactivity in compliance with the GDPR and legislation on the protection of personal data.

If you wish to exercise your rights of access, rectification, deletion, portability or opposition in relation to your personal data, you can do so through security@happyrobot.ai subject to the GDPR.

For more information, visit https://www.happyrobot.ai/privacy-policy

By submitting your request, you confirm that you have read and understood this clause and that you agree to the processing of your personal data as described.

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About The Company

San Francisco, California, United States (On-Site)

Madrid, Community Of Madrid, Spain (Remote)

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Madrid, Community Of Madrid, Spain (Hybrid)

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