Senior Machine Learning Research Engineer

Are you passionate about advancing the frontiers of efficient AI? Do you enjoy turning theoretical insights into practical tools that power large-scale machine learning systems? Are you excited by the challenge of scaling, compressing, and accelerating state-of-the-art models?

We are looking for a Senior Machine Learning Research Engineer with a strong research background and hands-on experience in building and optimizing deep learning models. In this role, you will explore and develop cutting-edge techniques in model compression, including pruning, quantization, knowledge distillation, and speculative decoding. You will help design and evaluate novel algorithms that bridge theory and real-world deployment.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of applied research and high-performance machine learning systems, where your contributions can lead to publications, open-source tools, and deployment in production environments.

Your Role and Responsibilities

As a core member of our ML research team, you will:

• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate model compression strategies for large-scale deep learning models.

• Develop scalable and modular research code in Python.

• Work closely with software engineers and product teams to translate research into deployable systems.

• Explore emerging techniques in efficient inference and help define future directions for model optimization.

• Collaborate on publications in top-tier ML/AI conferences and contribute to open-source initiatives.

• Benchmark models across hardware configurations, contributing to the broader understanding of how model optimizations affect performance in real-world deployment scenarios.

• Participate in reading groups, internal workshops, and mentoring activities.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Electric Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.

• Strong foundation in machine learning algorithms and numerical optimization.

• Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Experience with experimental design and empirical research, including model evaluation and benchmarking.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex ideas to a technical audience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with model compression techniques such as quantization, pruning, knowledge distillation, or speculative decoding.

• Experience contributing to open-source machine learning projects.

• Experience optimizing model performance for inference efficiency, particularly on GPUs or specialized accelerators.

• Publication record in top-tier conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, CVPR).

• Comfortable navigating large codebases and collaborating in a research-oriented engineering team.

What We Offer

• A dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment with opportunities to shape the future of efficient ML systems.

• A collaborative team that values curiosity, creativity, and impact.

• Support for academic engagement (publishing, conference travel, workshops).

• Access to high-performance computing resources and state-of-the-art ML infrastructure.

• Comprehensive benefits, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for career growth.

#LI-AJ1

The salary range for this position is $170,770.00 - $281,770.00. Actual offer will be based on your qualifications.

Pay Transparency

Red Hat determines compensation based on several factors including but not limited to job location, experience, applicable skills and training, external market value, and internal pay equity. Annual salary is one component of Red Hat’s compensation package. This position may also be eligible for bonus, commission, and/or equity. For positions with Remote-US locations, the actual salary range for the position may differ based on location but will be commensurate with job duties and relevant work experience. 

About Red Hat

Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to deliver high-performing Linux, cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Spread across 40+ countries, our associates work flexibly across work environments, from in-office, to office-flex, to fully remote, depending on the requirements of their role. Red Hatters are encouraged to bring their best ideas, no matter their title or tenure. We're a leader in open source because of our open and inclusive environment. We hire creative, passionate people ready to contribute their ideas, help solve complex problems, and make an impact.

Benefits
●    Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
●    Flexible Spending Account - healthcare and dependent care
●    Health Savings Account - high deductible medical plan
●    Retirement 401(k) with employer match
●    Paid time off and holidays
●    Paid parental leave plans for all new parents
●    Leave benefits including disability, paid family medical leave, and paid military leave
●    Additional benefits including employee stock purchase plan, family planning reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, transportation expense account, employee assistance program, and more! 

Note: These benefits are only applicable to full time, permanent associates at Red Hat located in the United States. 

Inclusion at Red Hat
Red Hat’s culture is built on the open source principles of transparency, collaboration, and inclusion, where the best ideas can come from anywhere and anyone. When this is realized, it empowers people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to come together to share ideas, challenge the status quo, and drive innovation. Our aspiration is that everyone experiences this culture with equal opportunity and access, and that all voices are not only heard but also celebrated. We hope you will join our celebration, and we welcome and encourage applicants from all the beautiful dimensions that compose our global village.

Equal Opportunity Policy (EEO)
Red Hat is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We review applications for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, veteran status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Red Hat does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or CVs from recruitment agencies. We are not responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions, or any other payment related to unsolicited resumes or CVs except as required in a written contract between Red Hat and the recruitment agency or party requesting payment of a fee.

Red Hat supports individuals with disabilities and provides reasonable accommodations to job applicants. If you need assistance completing our online job application, email application-assistance@redhat.com. General inquiries, such as those regarding the status of a job application, will not receive a reply.