Research Engineer - Model Architectures

ZYPHRA IS AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMPANY BASED IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. THE ROLE: As a Research Engineer - Model Architectures, you will be a core contributor to Zyphra’s AI Architecture Research Team. This will involve designing and rigorously testing novel model architectures and training methodologies, with a focus on improving core modeling capabilities (e.g., loss per flop or loss per parameter) and addressing fundamental bottlenecks in contemporary models. You will also work extremely closely with our pre-training team, who will integrate your insights into our next-generation models. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR / REQUIREMENTS: - Strong research taste and intuition - The ability to work through a research project from conception to execution to write-up - Strong implementation and prototyping ability can take an idea from conception to experimentation extremely quickly - The ability to work well and cooperate with others in a high-paced research setting - Curiosity, interest, and joy in understanding intelligence. QUALIFICATIONS / ADDITIONAL SKILLS: - Previous experience with long-term memory, RAG/retrieval systems, dynamic/adaptive computation, and alternative approaches to credit assignment - Experience with reinforcement learning, control theory, and signal processing - Generally, a joy in inventing and seriously assessing ‘crazy’ ideas, and the ability to have a unique perspective on things - Understanding of modern training pipelines and the hardware requirements to design efficient architectures for GPU hardware - Strong grasp of proper experimental methodology for running rigorous ablations and other hypothesis testing - High proficiency with PyTorch and Python. - Strong ability to jump into large pre-existing codebases and rapidly get up to speed and become productive - Previously published machine learning research in well-respected venues - Postgraduate degree in a scientific subject (Computer Science, EE/EECS, Math, Physics) WHY WORK AT ZYPHRA: - Our research methodology is to make grounded, methodical steps toward ambitious goals. Both deep research and engineering excellence are equally valued - We strongly value new and crazy ideas and are very willing to bet big on new ideas - We move as quickly as we can; we aim to minimize the bar to impact as low as possible - We all enjoy what we do and love discussing AI BENEFITS AND PERKS: - Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and FSA plans - Competitive compensation and 401(k) plan - Relocation and immigration support on a case-by-case basis - In-office snacks and meals provided - Unlimited PTO and company holidays - In-person team in San Francisco with a collaborative, high-energy environment