Research Engineer II

Are you passionate about innovating at the intersection of technology and personal security? At Pindrop, we recognize that the human voice is a unique personal identifier, increasingly susceptible to sophisticated fraud, including the threat of deepfakes. We're leading the way in developing cutting-edge authentication, fraud prevention, and deepfake detection. Our mission is to provide seamless and secure digital experiences, safeguarding the most personal aspect of our identity: our voice. Here, you'll be part of a team driven by values of Innovation, Customer Advocacy, Excellence, and Impact. We're not just creating a safer digital landscape by fortifying trust and integrity with those we serve, and we’re also building a dynamic, supportive workplace where your contributions make a real difference.

Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Pindrop is backed by world-class investors such as Andreessen-Horowitz, IVP, and CapitalG.

• Design and execute adversarial attack campaigns targeting deepfake detection models to assess their resilience.
• Develop novel techniques for evading detection, including adversarial audio and video, voice cloning, synthetic speech generation, and face swapping.
• Conduct red teaming exercises to identify weaknesses, data biases, and model blind spots.
• Collaborate with machine learning engineers and researchers to develop countermeasures and improve detection algorithms.
• Use threat intelligence to anticipate emerging deepfake methods and adjust testing strategies accordingly.
• Document and communicate findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, providing actionable recommendations for risk mitigation.
• Stay current with the latest research in adversarial machine learning, synthetic media, and AI security.
• Participate in cross-functional team meetings and provide insights based on research findings.

• You have a passion for technology and are constantly researching new/emerging solutions.
• You are self-motivated and work with minimal supervision.
• You make relevant, specific, and high-value recommendations for the design or implementation of a platform, including automation, features, security, and manageability.
• You are resilient in the face of challenges, change, and ambiguity.
• You are optimistic and believe that you can turn a problem into a solution.
• You are resourceful, excited to uncover innovative solutions, and teach yourself something new when needed.
• You take accountability, do the things you say you’ll do, under-promise and over-deliver.
• You are nimble and adaptable when priorities change and continue to see the “forest through the trees”.

• Preferably PhD in a quantitative field (e.g., Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence) or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of Experience in Deep Learning, ideally in speech processing, computer vision, face recognition, deepfake detection, audio processing, or general machine learning.
• Strong understanding of adversarial machine learning techniques, including evasion attacks, poisoning attacks, and model inversion.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think like an adversary.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to a diverse audience.
• Deep understanding of deepfake technologies, synthetic audio, and video generation.
• Experience with real-time audio and video processing and data acquisition, as well as preparation for such tasks.
• Strong programming skills in Python. Experience with ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, Keras, and PyTorch. 
• Ability to design, develop, and maintain research packages to assess vulnerabilities of ML models.
• Ability to publish peer-reviewed papers in top computer vision, audio and speech, and conferences.

As a Pindropper, you join a rapidly growing company that is making technology more human with the power of voice. You will work alongside some of the best and brightest. We’re a passionate group committed to excellence - but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying the journey as a team with chess and poker tournaments, catered lunches and happy hours, wellness programming, and more. Because we take our jobs seriously, we add in time for rest with Unlimited PTO and Company-Wide Rest Days. 

You will also be part of Pindrop's Research team, working on revolutionary research ideas against deepfake threats. This role provides the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology, collaborate with experts to enhance real-time communication safety, and contribute to innovative solutions.

Within 30 days, you’ll

• Understand Pindrop as a product and the voice technology space. Dive into your role and understand how your success will be measured.
• Get acclimated to your surroundings and your team, including meeting with your onboarding buddy and key department members.
• Read through the Pindrop Lexicon to familiarize yourself with company terms and complete any required role-based training.
• Be introduced to your team and colleagues and added to any standing meetings such as 1:1’s, standups, and weekly touchpoints.
• Complete onboarding and attend New Employee Orientation sessions with other new Pindroppers.
  
  

Within 60 days, you’ll

• • Accomplish some quick wins and start adding value, particularly within your immediate responsibilities.
  • Establish relationships with key partners for continued collaboration and build your Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) for the next quarter.
  • Understand expectations for the team and be able to start planning for development and contributing to projects.
  • Start a research project agreed upon with your direct manager.

Within 90 days, you’ll 

• • Schedule and complete a 90-day check-in with your manager to discuss wins, blockers, and next steps.
  • Have an intermediate level of familiarity with the products and corresponding research initiatives.
  • Start executing against the research roadmap and contribute significantly to team objectives.
    
    

As a part of Pindrop, you’ll have a direct impact on our growing list of products and the future of security in the voice-driven economy. We hire great people and take care of them. Here’s a snapshot of the benefits we offer:

• Competitive compensation, including equity for all employees
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 4 company-wide rest days in 2025 where the entire company rests and recharges!
• Generous health and welfare plans to choose from - including one employer-paid “employee-only” plan!
• Best-in-class Health Savings Account (HSA) employer contribution
• Affordable vision and dental plans for you and your family
• Employer-provided life and disability coverage with additional supplemental options
• Paid Parental Leave - Equal for all parents, including birth, adoptive & foster parents
• One year of diaper delivery for your newest addition to the family! It’s our way of welcoming new Pindroplets to the family!
• Identity protection through Norton LifeLock
• Recurring monthly Phone and Internet allowance
• One-time home office allowance
• Remote first environment – meaning you have flexibility in your day!
• Company holidays
• Annual professional development and learning benefit
• Pick your own Apple MacBook Pro
• Retirement plan with competitive 401(k) match
• Wellness Program including Employee Assistance Program, 24/7 Telemedicine

The base pay for this position is generally between $155,000 and $175,000. Please note that the base pay range is a general guideline only. Pindrop considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills, as well as market and business considerations, when extending an offer.

At Pindrop, our Core Values are fundamental beliefs at the center of all we do. They are our guiding principles that dictate our actions and behaviors. Our Values are deeply embedded into our culture in big and small ways and even help us decide right from wrong when the path forward is unclear. At Pindrop, we believe in taking accountability to make decisions and act in a way that reflects who we are. We truly believe that making decisions and acting with our Core Values in mind will help us to achieve our goals and keep Pindrop a great place to work.    

• Audaciously Innovate - We continue to change the world, and the way people safely engage and interact with technology. As first principle thinkers, we challenge standards, take risks, and learn from our mistakes in order to make positive change and continuous improvement. We believe nothing is impossible.
  
  
• Evangelical Customers for Life - We delight, inspire, and empower customers from day one and for life. We create a partnership and experience that results in a shared passion.   We are champions for our customers, and our customers become our champions, creating a universal commitment to one another. 
  
  
• Execution Excellence - We do what we say and say what we do. We are accountable for making the tough decisions and necessary tradeoffs to deliver quality and effective solutions on time.
  
  
• Win as a Company - Every time we win, we win as a company. Every time we lose, we lose as a company. We break down silos, support one another, embrace diversity and celebrate our successes. We are better together. 
  
  
• Make a Difference - Every day, we have the opportunity to make a positive impact. We operate with dedication, passion, and uncompromising integrity, creating a safer, more secure world.

Not sure if this is you?

We want a diverse, global team with a broad range of experience and perspectives. If this job sounds great, but you’re not sure if you qualify, apply anyway! We carefully consider every application and will either move forward with you, find another team that might be a better fit, keep in touch for future opportunities, or thank you for your time.

Pindrop is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Here at Pindrop, it is our mission to create and maintain a diverse and inclusive work environment. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, marital and/or veteran status.

This position will be posted for 60 days after May 12, 2025.