NAVER Search US - Senior Applied Scientist (Generative AI & LLMs)

About Naver U.Hub
NAVER U.Hub is the U.S. subsidiary of NAVER, a global internet technology company based in Los Angeles with offices in Seattle and Redwood City. Our teams across Naver Search US, BAND, ThingsBook, and Naver Ventures collaborate to advance AI, social media, and investment initiatives that build smarter and more connected experiences for global users.

Overview
NSU plays a key role in advancing NAVER’s artificial intelligence capabilities. Our team develops cutting-edge technologies that transform the way users interact with digital services. By leveraging natural language understanding, NSU delivers personalized and intuitive experiences that connect seamlessly with each individual. We ensure that NAVER’s technology evolves in real time, adapting to users’ changing needs, whether by refining search results or building smarter tools for the future.

About the Role
As a senior scientific leader, you will drive the research and algorithmic foundation of next-generation AI agent platforms. You will lead efforts to solve high-ambiguity problems, including autonomous tool discovery, logical reasoning, and multi-step planning for foundation models.
In this role, you will define the technical direction of the applied science team, mentor scientists, and partner closely with engineering to translate advanced research into scalable, production-ready AI systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI agent architectures
• Drive research initiatives in areas such as reasoning, planning, and autonomous tool use
• Own and solve highly ambiguous, open-ended problems with significant technical and product impact
• Define and execute the technical roadmap for the applied science team
• Design and oversee experiments to evaluate model performance, reliability, and scalability
• Improve model robustness by reducing hallucinations and enhancing contextual understanding
• Collaborate with engineering teams to productionize research prototypes into scalable systems
• Mentor and guide junior scientists, fostering technical excellence across the team
• Stay at the forefront of advancements in generative AI, NLP, and machine learning

Skills & Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in applied machine learning, with a proven track record of leading complex technical projects from ideation to launch.
• Deep, hands-on expertise in training, fine-tuning, and evaluating Large Language Models (e.g., utilizing techniques like LoRA, RLHF, or CoT).
• Experience developing agentic workflows or systems that leverage dynamic function calling.
• Exceptional communication skills to articulate highly complex algorithmic concepts to cross-functional engineering and product teams.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• A PhD or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a closely related field.
• Full-time industry experience in applied machine learning or related computer science field.
• Comfortable utilizing AI-powered tools like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and ChatGPT.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• $140,000 - $210,000 per year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, and location.

Additional Compensation:

• Performance-based bonus

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and holidays)
• Paid parental leave
• Ancillary Insurance (LTD, STD, AD&D and Life)
• Wellness Program

Other

• Job type: Full-time
• Hybrid (Bellevue, Washington)
• Candidates who pass the initial HR screening will be invited to complete a coding test.
• Please note: To be eligible, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship for employment visa status is unavailable.

Equal Employment Opportunity

NAVER U.Hub is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. Naver U.Hub and its affiliated companies are committed to providing an Equal Employment Opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.