Director, ML Research Science (Adtech / Recommender Systems)

Are you ready to revolutionize the advertising industry? At Cognitiv, we are not just another AdTech company—we are industry trailblazers redefining media buying with our Deep Learning Advertising Platform. Since 2015, we have harnessed the power of cutting-edge deep learning technology and data science to transform how brands connect with their customers. Our mission? To bring intelligence to advertising and deliver unparalleled precision, relevance, and impact at scale. With our innovative platform, advertisers enjoy unprecedented flexibility—whether it is activating Dynamic Deals through their preferred DSP, leveraging our managed service DSP, or utilizing our industry-first ContextGPT product. As a part of Cognitiv, you will be at the forefront of AI-driven advertising solutions, driving change and achieving remarkable growth in a rapidly evolving industry. Now, we’re growing! The role We are seeking a technical leader who can balance strategic leadership with hands-on contributions. You’ll oversee a growing team of ML research scientists, guide innovation in deep learning and LLMs, and directly advance Cognitiv’s real-time bidding and recommendation systems. This role is critical to our success, sitting at the intersection of cutting-edge research and production-scale delivery. Location: This position will be located in San Mateo, CA with a hybrid work schedule of 3 days in office (Mon/Tue/Wed) and 2 days remote (Thursday/Friday). What You'll Do Lead and Mentor. You manage and grow a team of Machine Learning Research Scientists, fostering a collaborative, innovative environment while mentoring individuals on both technical challenges and career development. Set Strategic Direction. You define and execute the vision for machine learning research within the adtech domain, representing the team in strategic discussions and contributing to company-wide initiatives. Drive Technical Innovation. You oversee the design and implementation of cutting-edge deep learning architectures, staying current with LLM research and guiding the integration of new breakthroughs into Cognitiv’s solutions. Stay Hands-On. You actively contribute through coding, experimentation, and code reviews, ensuring technical excellence and adherence to best practices. Advance AdTech Performance. You continuously improve models and algorithms to drive ad targeting, real-time bidding performance, and audience relevance. Enable Scalable Systems. You collaborate with operations, engineering, and cross-functional partners to refine data pipelines, model deployment, and monitoring systems. Deliver Results. You manage project timelines, resources, and deliverables, ensuring successful completion of high-impact research initiatives. Tech Stack Core Tools – Python, PyTorch, deep learning architectures (transformers, recommendation models). Traditional ML – XGBoost, PCA. Big Data / Infra – Spark, Hadoop, distributed training systems. Cloud Platforms – AWS, GCP, or Azure. Bonus – C++. Who You Are Experienced Leader with Advanced Education: Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, with 5–7+ years of experience in machine learning R&D. Proven experience leading teams of researchers and senior ICs/PhDs while remaining 30–50% hands-on (coding, reviews, experimentation). Deep Learning, LLMs & Model Tuning: Deep technical expertise in PyTorch, transformers, and Large Language Models (LLMs), including large-scale training and fine-tuning of deep neural networks. Machine Learning Breadth: Strong understanding of both deep learning and traditional ML techniques (e.g., XGBoost, PCA), with the ability to apply the right approach to the right problem. Engineering Excellence: Proficiency in Python with strong foundations in algorithms, data structures, and software engineering principles; experience building models in real-time, high-throughput systems (e.g., recommender systems, adtech). Production Experience: Hands-on experience developing, deploying, and optimizing machine learning models in production environments, including distributed systems, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), and big data frameworks (Hadoop, Spark). Strong Communicator: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong project management capabilities, and the ability to drive alignment in fast-paced, dynamic environments. Bonus Points If You Have AdTech & RTB Experience. Prior exposure to advertising technology and real-time bidding (RTB) systems is a strong plus. Distributed Systems & Cloud. Familiarity with big data frameworks (Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure). C++ Skills. Strong C++ programming ability is a significant advantage alongside Python expertise. Research & Community Impact. A track record of published research or meaningful contributions to the machine learning community. Bridging Research and Delivery. Experience managing both exploratory research timelines and production-grade delivery cycles. Salary: $250,000 - $330,000 USD Base Salary + Equity What We Offer Compensation is based on experience, skills, and other factors. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards at Cognitiv—you’ll also receive equity and a comprehensive benefits package. Highlights include: Medical, Dental and Vision plan for US employees & Extended Health Benefits for Canadian employees 12 weeks paid parental leave + 4 weeks WFH Unlimited PTO + Work-From-Anywhere August Career development with clear advancement paths Equity for all employees Hybrid work model & daily team lunch Health & wellness stipend + cell phone reimbursement 401(k) & RRSP with employer match Parking (CA, WA, Vancouver offices) & pre-tax commuter benefits Employee Assistance Program Comprehensive onboarding (Cognitiv University) …and more! What You’ll Find at Cognitiv Festiv – We make work fun with cross-team games, events, and creative team bonding. Responsiv – You’ll be close to clients and leadership, influencing real outcomes. Inclusiv – Diversity and individuality are celebrated across all levels. Inventiv – We reward curiosity and embrace bold ideas. Transformativ – We support your growth with training, mentorship, and flexibility. Collaborativ – We operate across coasts, connected by purpose and teamwork. Cognitiv is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. Note on AI Use: Cognitiv may use AI technology to assist with certain administrative aspects of the hiring process, such as note-taking, interview documentation, and reporting. However, every resume and application is reviewed directly by our recruiting team. AI tools are used solely for operational support and do not influence candidate evaluation or hiring decisions.