Staff Software Engineer, Machine Learning

About the Staff Software Engineer, Machine Learning at Headspace:

The Headspace Machine Learning team plays a pivotal role in driving innovation, developing and launching key product features, and creating internal tools that power our mission. Our team is at the forefront of transforming mental healthcare through cutting-edge technology, leveraging the power of AI and ML to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

As a member of the ML Platform team, you will be at the heart of this transformation, building the foundational tools and systems that empower our ML engineers to deliver high-impact solutions efficiently and at scale. Your work will enable the team to develop, deploy, and maintain robust, resilient, and high-performing ML systems faster than ever before, creating a seamless pipeline from innovation to production.

In your role as a Staff Machine Learning Engineer, you will take the lead in shaping the vision and architecture of our core ML Platform. You will drive key decisions that define the future of how ML systems are built, scaled, and deployed at Headspace. By combining your technical expertise with strategic foresight, you will spearhead initiatives that enhance productivity, ensure scalability, and support our mission to improve the health and happiness of the world.

How your skills and passion will come to life at Headspace:

• Shape ML Platform Architecture: Drive the design, development, and evolution of our internal ML platform, taking it from high-level vision to robust implementation.
• Engineer Scalable Systems: Build and support complex, scalable, and multi-component data and ML systems that integrate seamlessly across the organization.
• Automated Model Lifecycle Management: Develop frameworks for continuous retraining of production models, enabling online learning and adaptive system improvements.
• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Partner with cross-functional teams to align technical decisions with organizational goals, ensuring cohesive and impactful solutions.
• Technical Leadership: Serve as a go-to expert and mentor, exemplifying excellence in AI/ML engineering and inspiring others to pursue technical career growth.

Champion Code Quality: Advocate for and contribute to high-quality engineering standards through rigorous code reviews and constructive, actionable feedback.

• What you’ve accomplished:

  Educational Background & Passion:

  • Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
  • Exceptional problem-solving abilities with the communication skills to influence decisions across teams and drive alignment.
  • Proven track record in designing and delivering robust, scalable, and highly reliable services in production environments.
  • A deep passion for technical excellence, continuous learning, and innovation.

  DevOps & Infrastructure Expertise:

  • 5+ years of DevOps experience, with hands-on expertise in AWS services, including SageMaker, Lambda, S3, DynamoDB, and IAM.
  • Proficiency with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform and development languages like TypeScript.
  • Strong background in implementing unit, integration, and end-to-end testing, along with setting up and managing CI/CD workflows.

  ML Engineering Expertise:

  • 2+ years of experience in MLOps, including developing, standardizing, and automating machine learning workflows.
  • Hands-on experience managing machine learning systems in production, ensuring reliability and scalability.
  • Proficiency in object-oriented programming and design, particularly in Python.
  • Experience driving ML initiatives from inception to deployment, with a focus on measurable business impact.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong knowledge of AI/ML technologies, including supervised and unsupervised learning, deep learning, and reinforcement learning.
• Hands-on experience building applications leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs).
• A genuine interest in applying technical skills to solve challenges in mental health, healthcare, or related fields.

Pay & Benefits:

The base salary range for this role is determined by a number of factors, including but not limited to skills and scope required, relevant licensure and certifications, and unique relevant experience and job-related skills.

At Headspace, cash salary is but one component of our Total Rewards package. We’re proud of our robust package inclusive of: base salary, stock awards, comprehensive healthcare coverage, monthly wellness stipend, retirement savings match, lifetime Headspace membership, unlimited, free mental health coaching, generous parental leave, and much more. Paid performance incentives are also included for those in eligible roles. Additional details about our Total Rewards package will be provided during the recruitment process.

How we feel about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging:

Headspace is committed to bringing together humans from different backgrounds and perspectives, providing employees with a safe and welcoming work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We strive to create a diverse & inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, feel a sense of belonging, and do impactful work together. 

As an equal opportunity employer, we prohibit any unlawful discrimination against a job applicant on the basis of their race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, family or parental status, disability*, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We respect the laws enforced by the EEOC and are dedicated to going above and beyond in fostering diversity across our workplace. 

*Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Headspace. Please inform our Talent team by filling out this form if you need any assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application or interview process.

Headspace participates in the E-Verify Program.

Privacy Statement

All member records are protected according to our Privacy Policy. Further, while employees of Headspace (formerly Ginger) cannot access Headspace products/services, they will be offered benefits according to the company's benefit plan. To ensure we are adhering to best practice and ethical guidelines in the field of mental health, we take care to avoid dual relationships. A dual relationship occurs when a mental health care provider has a second, significantly different relationship with their client in addition to the traditional client-therapist relationship—including, for example, a managerial relationship.  

As such, Headspace requests that individuals who have received coaching or clinical services at Headspace wait until their care with Headspace is complete before applying for a position. If someone with a Headspace account is hired for a position, please note their account will be deactivated and they will not be able to use Headspace services for the duration of their employment. 

Further, if Headspace cannot find a role that fails to resolve an ethical issue associated with a dual relationship, Headspace may need to take steps to ensure ethical obligations are being adhered to, including a delayed start date or a potential leave of absence. Such steps would be taken to protect both the former member, as well as any relevant individuals from their care team, from impairment, risk of exploitation, or harm.

For how how we will use the personal information you provide as part of the application process, please see: https://www.headspace.com/applicant-notice