Senior Applied ML Scientist (NLP)

About the Role

As a Senior Applied ML Scientist at OpenTable, you will be part of a dynamic team that pushes the boundaries of what is possible with Natural Language Processing (NLP). You will be tasked with the development and implementation of cutting-edge NLP models to enhance the quality of our product offerings. This role involves a blend of research and practical application, making it an exciting opportunity for those who thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and development on NLP models.
• Collaborate with engineers to bring these models into production.
• Utilize prompt engineering and parameter-efficient fine-tuning methods to enhance the performance of Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Construct data pipelines essential for the training and evaluation of NLP models.
• Implement comprehensive evaluation suites for measuring and assessing the performance and safety of models on specific tasks.
• Develop applications that utilize LLMs, enhancing their capabilities through Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and incorporation of different tools.
• Contribute to the internal ML packages, helping the team build tools for training, evaluating, debugging, and interpreting NLP models for retrieval, reranking, and generation.
• Stay current with NLP research, apply it to your work, and communicate it to your partners.

Qualifications

• Strong experience with transformer model architectures, especially in applying them to NLP challenges.
• Experience with parameter-efficient fine-tuning for LLMs and familiarity with different training techniques such as SFT, DPO, PPO.
• Proficiency in optimizing LLMs for inference.
• Deep understanding of data structures, algorithms, and OO design.
• Proficiency in Python and hands-on experience with NLP-related/scientific computing packages (e.g., HuggingFace ecosystem, DeepSpeed, PyTorch).
• Passion for continuous learning and self-development.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Nice to Have

• Contributions to an open-source Machine Learning (ML) package.
• Publications in the field of NLP.
• Hands-on experience in deploying LLMs to real-world products, particularly in environments sensitive to latency.
• Proficiency in LLM inference deployment, with knowledge in relevant technologies and packages such as ONNX, FasterTransformer/TensorRT-LLM, llama-cpp, Triton Inference Server, and VLLM.
• Participation in Kaggle competitions focused on NLP.
• A graduate degree or equivalent in Machine Learning, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Economics, or a related technical field.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package including annual cash bonuses and equity grants.
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off, flexible sick leave, and parental leave benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the company.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

OpenTable is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity drives innovation and we strive to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered.