Back to jobs

Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Remote - US

See yourself at Twilio

Join the team as Twilio’s next Principal Machine Learning Engineer on Twilio’s Emerging Technology & Innovation organization.

Who we are

At Twilio, we’re shaping the future of communications, all from the comfort of our homes. We deliver innovative solutions to hundreds of thousands of businesses and empower millions of developers worldwide to craft personalized customer experiences.

Our dedication to remote-first work, and strong culture of connection and global inclusion mean that no matter your location, you’re part of a vibrant, diverse team making a global impact each day. As we continue to revolutionize how the world interacts, we’re acquiring new skills and experiences that make work feel truly rewarding. Your career at Twilio is in your hands.

About the job

This position is needed to spearhead ML/AI focused research projects,  build prototypes, and explore emerging  technologies for Twilio's Emerging Technology & Innovation (ETI) organization.

Twilio's ETI organization is focused on exploring the future of customer engagement through research and experimentation. We dream big, but we also believe in rapidly prototyping our ideas to share with real customers for feedback and iteration. As an early member of this new organization, you will have the chance to influence the strategy and culture of our organization.

As a Principal Machine Learning Engineer of the ETI organization, you will be responsible for leading research projects, experimenting with proof of concepts, and staying on the cutting edge of “what if”. There are many exciting challenges ahead of us and we are looking for an engineer who is comfortable with ambiguity, has a proven track record for delivering results, and has experience with the emerging technologies of AI, LLMs, and a passion for keeping up with their latest developments.

Responsibilities

In this role, you’ll:

  • Research new ML and AI technologies and tools
  • Build prototypes to further your research and test them with customers.
  • Collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and developers to integrate AI models and algorithms into existing systems and applications
  • Collaborate closely with your product, design and go to market partners to ensure our work puts the customer first and we are all rowing in the same direction.
  • Rapidly acquire new technical skills and knowledge in a fast-paced, high-delivery environment. There will be a steep learning curve to this job, you should be comfortable diving in the deep end and creating clarity for yourself.
  • Influence steering committee discussions on leveraging AI across the whole of Twilio.
  • Most importantly, Experiment! As our new team grows, you should embody the practice of testing out new ideas and iterating based on feedback. Not only in the products you deliver, but in the way we conduct ML/AI research at Twilio.

Qualifications 

Not all applicants will have skills that match a job description exactly. Twilio values diverse experiences in other industries, and we encourage everyone who meets the required qualifications to apply. While having “desired” qualifications make for a strong candidate, we encourage applicants with alternative experiences to also apply. If your career is just starting or hasn't followed a traditional path, don't let that stop you from considering Twilio. We are always looking for people who will bring something new to the table!

Required:

  • 10+ years hands on experience as an engineer writing production-grade code in a modern programming language (language agnostic)
  • 3+ years of research experience in a professional or academic setting where building your idea and testing it with customers was a must.
  • Experience evaluating the performance of different ML models/versions and making enhancements
  • Experience working collaboratively with ML engineers, data scientists or ML Researchers
  • Experience building an ML model and operating it in a production environment. 
  • Passion for emerging technologies and staying up to date on their latest developments 
  • Proven track record of shipping products to production, testing ideas early with customers and iterating rapidly on their feedback.
  • Exceptional collaboration skills, the key to our success is going to be tied to our ability to partner with other parts of the organization and help them be successful.
  • Strong customer focus, our feedback loop with customers will be very tight!
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Our ideas will only be as good as our ability to share them.

Desired:

  • You have previously shared your ideas in public forums through blog posts, meetup presentations, or speaking at conferences.
  • Experience building a product from idea to product market fit (zero to one).
  • Experience leading the development of products or features which leverage LLMs
  • Builder at heart. Through a hobby or your profession, you are passionate about being hands on and seeing your work come to life.

Location

This role will be remote but is not eligible to be hired in San Francisco, CA, Oakland, CA, San Jose, CA, or the surrounding areas.

Travel

We prioritize connection and opportunities to build relationships with our customers and each other. For this role, you may be required to travel occasionally to participate in project or team in-person meetings.

What We Offer

There are many benefits to working at Twilio, including, in addition to competitive pay, things like generous time-off, ample parental and wellness leave, healthcare, a retirement savings program, and much more. Offerings vary by location.

Twilio thinks big. Do you?

We like to solve problems, take initiative, pitch in when needed, and are always up for trying new things. That's why we seek out colleagues who embody our values — something we call Twilio Magic. Additionally, we empower employees to build positive change in their communities by supporting their volunteering and donation efforts.

So, if you're ready to unleash your full potential, do your best work, and be the best version of yourself, apply now!

If this role isn't what you're looking for, please consider other open positions.

*Please note this role is open to candidates outside of Colorado, California, New York, Washington and Washington D.C. The information below is provided for candidates hired in those locations only.

The estimated pay ranges for this role are as follows:

  • Based in Colorado or Washington D.C.: $180,000-$226,000.
  • Based in New York, Washington State, or California (outside of the San Francisco Bay area): $191,000-$239,000.
  • Based in the San Francisco Bay area, California: $212,000-$266,000.
  • This role may be eligible to participate in Twilio’s equity plan and corporate bonus plan. All roles are eligible for the following benefits: health care insurance, 401(k) retirement account, paid sick time, paid personal time off, paid parental leave.

The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location within the state. 

Applications for this role are intended to be accepted until 11/7/2024 but may change based on business needs. 

 

Twilio is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Twilio is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Qualified Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Additionally, Twilio participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law.

Twilio is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at accommodation@twilio.com.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

How did you hear about Twilio? *

Please click all that apply

Select...
Select...
Select...
By clicking the "Acknowledge" button, you acknowledge that Twilio processes data in accordance with the Twilio Applicant Privacy Policy. *

Twilio is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer

We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Additionally, Twilio participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law.

Voluntary Self-Identification of Race & Ethnicity and Protected Veterans Status

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Twilio’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305, OMB Control Number 1250-0005, Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

Twilio is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at accommodations@twilio.com

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...