Description The Amazon Search Mission Understanding (SMU) team is at the forefront of revolutionizing the online shopping experience through the Amazon search page. Our ambition extends beyond facilitating a seamless shopping journey; we are committed to creating the next generation of intelligent shopping assistants. Leveraging cutting-edge Large Language Models (LLMs), we aim to redefine navigation and decision-making in e-commerce by deeply understanding our users' shopping missions, preferences, and goals. By developing responsive and scalable solutions, we not only accomplish the shopping mission but also foster unparalleled trust among our customers. Through our advanced technology, we generate valuable insights, providing a guided navigation system into various search missions, ensuring a comprehensive and holistic shopping experience. Our dedication to continuous improvement through constant measurement and enhancement of the shopper experience is crucial, as we strategically navigate the balance between immediate results and long-term business growth. We are seeking an Applied Scientist who is not just adept in the theoretical aspects of Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Large Language Models (LLMs) but also possesses a pragmatic, hands-on approach to navigating the complexities of innovation. The ideal candidate will have a profound expertise in developing, deploying, and contributing to the next-generation shopping search engine, including but not limited to Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) models, specifically tailored towards enhancing the Rufus application—an integral part of our mission to revolutionize shopping assistance. You will take the lead in conceptualizing, building, and launching groundbreaking models that significantly improve our understanding of and capabilities in enhancing the search experience. A successful applicant will display a comprehensive skill set across machine learning model development, implementation, and optimization. This includes a strong foundation in data management, software engineering best practices, and a keen awareness of the latest developments in distributed systems technology. We are looking for individuals who are determined, analytically rigorous, passionate about applied sciences, creative, and possess strong logical reasoning abilities. Join the Search Mission Understanding team, a group of pioneering ML scientists and engineers dedicated to building core ML models and developing the infrastructure for model innovation. As part of Amazon Search, you will experience the dynamic, innovative culture of a startup, backed by the extensive resources of Amazon.com (AMZN), a global leader in internet services. Our collaborative, customer-centric work environment spans across our offices in Palo Alto, CA, and Seattle, WA, offering a unique blend of opportunities for professional growth and innovation. Key job responsibilities Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify requirements for ML model development, focusing on enhancing mission understanding through innovative AI techniques, including retrieval-Augmented Generation or LLM in general. Design and implement scalable ML models capable of processing and analyzing large datasets to improve search and shopping experiences. Must have a strong background in machine learning, AI, or computational sciences. Lead the management and experiments of ML models at scale, applying advanced ML techniques to optimize science solution. Serve as a technical lead and liaison for ML projects, facilitating collaboration across teams and addressing technical challenges. Requires strong leadership and communication skills, with a PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related field. Basic Qualifications - 3+ years of building models for business application experience - PhD, or Master's degree and 4+ years of CS, CE, ML or related field experience - Experience in patents or publications at top-tier peer-reviewed conferences or journals - Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language - Experience in any of the following areas: algorithms and data structures, parsing, numerical optimization, data mining, parallel and distributed computing, high-performance computing Preferred Qualifications - Experience using Unix/Linux - Experience in professional software development Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner. Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $136,000/year in our lowest geographic market up to $222,200/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits. This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.