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Member Of Technical Staff (Ml Engineer, Recommendations & User Modeling)

perplexity

San Francisco
AI

Job Score

80 pts
On-site model (+70) AI (+10)

We are seeking experienced Machine Learning (ML) engineers with a passion for craftsmanship who can design, build, and optimize the recommendation systems that form the heart of Perplexity's core user experiences. Based in San Francisco, this technical staff position at Perplexity offers an innovative opportunity to contribute to AI products designed to guide people through their most significant decisions while delivering a deeply personalized experience reminiscent of having dedicated and attentive experts behind the scenes.

As we venture into reimagining recommendation systems for today's cutting-edge Large Language Models (LLM) era, Perplexity aspires to blend state-of-the-art LLM intelligence with personalized insights drawn from actual product usage and modern AI learning mechanisms. Our goal is the creation of intelligent recommendations that not only understand each user's context but also learn continuously by integrating historical interactions along with data sources related to their connections, thereby enhancing our ability to serve users better over time.

Perplexity stands apart in its commitment to quality and aesthetics—principles we uphold for both AI enthusiasts who are tech-native as well as those curious about the latest advancements in artificial intelligence technology, creating products that appeal broadly across user groups. In this collaborative environment steeped with entrepreneurial spirit and scholarship, you'll be encouraged to think like founders: define problems, design innovative solutions independently, then execute by bringing your creations live for the benefit of both colleagues and users alike.

As part of our team-oriented culture where we focus on giving generously towards each other’s growth—we believe in empowering one another through partnership to break down silos that might otherwise hinder innovation, knowledge acquisition, or product development progress within the company and beyond its walls. This role is not just about technical expertise; it's also an invitation into a unique community where you can contribute your skills for craftsmanship while growing alongside like-minded peers in entrepreneurship, scholarly pursuits of knowledge, and partnerships to further innovate within the realm of personalized AI.

This is more than just another technical staff position; it’s a role at Perplexity that marries expertise with an opportunity for impact—a chance not only to contribute your ML skills but also become integral part in shaping how we empower our users through tailored and intelligent recommendations, all while fostering personal growth alongside exceptional colleagues.

The ideal candidate should be:

- Proven experience as a Machine Learning Engineer or related field with expertise in designing, building, testing, optimizing ML systems

- Comfortable working within the San Francisco tech landscape and embracing our entrepreneurial mindset for innovation

- Experienced at integrating cutting edge LLM technologies into personalized recommendations system designs or improvements to existing models. This may include understanding, leveraging complex model architectures with large language capabilities

- A strong collaborator who is comfortable taking ownership of problems and solutions in a high performing team environment where continuous learning for both individuals & the company takes precedence

- Passionate about creating products that are not only technically sound but also visually appealing, maintaining Perplexity's focus on craftsms. This role may demand involvement with design elements beyond conventional ML engineering tasks

Benefits of joining our team include:

1) Opportunity to work at the forefront of AI and recommendation systems development in a fast-paced, innovative company culture

2) Exposure to

About Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is currently the fastest-growing field in the technology market. The revolution in generative models (GPT, Claude, Gemini) has created massive demand for AI-specialized professionals.

Key areas of practice include Machine Learning Engineering, MLOps, Prompt Engineering, AI Research, and Applied AI. Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and LLM knowledge are essential skills.

AI salaries are the highest in the technology sector, with many remote work opportunities at international companies.

Discover Other Areas

Understand the scope of work, key skills, and tools used in different career areas.

About Content

The Content and Social Media area is essential for building digital presence and audience engagement. Professionals create content strategies, manage social networks, and develop impactful brand narratives.

Key skills include copywriting, storytelling, community management, metrics analysis, audiovisual production, and knowledge of each platform algorithms.

With the growth of influencer marketing and social commerce, this area continues to generate new career opportunities.

About Web Designer

The Web Designer is the professional responsible for creating visual interfaces for websites, web applications, and landing pages, combining aesthetics, usability, and user experience. They transform business needs into functional and responsive layouts that communicate brand identity.

Key skills include UI design, responsive design, prototyping (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD), wireframing, design systems, accessibility (WCAG), information architecture, and basic HTML/CSS knowledge. Knowledge of UX design, motion design, and front-end is a differentiator.

Web Designers in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master design systems, design tokens, and can create interfaces that convert and engage. The field offers opportunities from junior web designer to product designer and design lead.

About Data

The Data field has undergone a radical transformation with the rise of Generative AI. Data professionals are fundamental for evidence-based decision-making across all industries.

Key specializations include Data Engineering, Data Science, Business Intelligence, Machine Learning Engineering, and Analytics. Tools like SQL, Python, Spark, dbt, and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) are essential.

The data market continues with high demand and salaries among the most competitive in the technology sector, with many remote work opportunities.

About Fullstack

Fullstack developers are versatile professionals capable of working on both frontend and backend of web and mobile applications. They master multiple technologies and can build complete products end-to-end, from the user interface to server infrastructure.

Key skills include proficiency in at least one complete stack (React/Vue/Angular + Node.js/PHP/Python/Java), databases (SQL and NoSQL), REST/GraphQL APIs, Git versioning, CI/CD, and basic infrastructure knowledge (Docker, cloud). Clean architecture, DDD, and testing are important differentiators.

Fullstack developers are highly valued in startups and companies that need versatile and autonomous professionals. The field offers opportunities from junior developer to software architect, with a focus on complete delivery, holistic product vision, and ability to work across multiple application layers.

About Graphic Designer

The Graphic Designer is the professional responsible for creating visual pieces for print and digital communication, from visual identity and logos to marketing materials and packaging. They combine creativity with technique to convey messages visually and impactfully.

Key skills include Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, CorelDRAW, visual identity design, typography, color theory, packaging design, and motion graphics. Knowledge of vector illustration, offset/digital printing, and print production is a differentiator.

Graphic Designers in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master social media design, infographics, and can create materials that strengthen brand visual identity. The field offers opportunities from junior graphic designer to art director and design director.

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Expert Tip

The 2026 AI Boom: The Most Valuable Tech Careers and How to Land Six-Figure Remote Jobs

We are halfway through 2026, and one thing is crystal clear: the "experimental" phase of Artificial Intelligence is officially over. While 2023 and 2024 were characterized by awe over chatbots drafting emails and generating images, 2026 has solidified AI as the core infrastructure of global enterprises. The transition from standalone "AI tools" to Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems has radically transformed the job market.

For Tech, Design, and Digital Marketing professionals across the United States, 2026 represents the greatest window of opportunity of the decade to secure top-tier, 100% remote roles with highly lucrative six-figure compensations.

In this article, we will break down the current AI job landscape, backed by recent data, and list the top careers that startups and Fortune 500 companies are desperately trying to fill.

The Current Landscape: 2026 Data and Projections

The market isn't just hiring standard developers anymore; it's hiring intelligence orchestrators. According to recent Future of Work reports:

  • Exponential Growth: The World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 update highlights that roles focused on AI, Machine Learning, and Big Data have grown by 45% compared to 2024, cementing them as the fastest-growing fields nationwide.
  • Corporate Adoption: Data published by Gartner earlier this year reveals that over 80% of Fortune 500 companies are now running Generative AI applications in production environments. This has created a massive demand for AI maintenance, ethics, and governance.
  • The Remote Premium: An internal analysis from Mondywork's database (which tracks integrations with major ATS platforms like Greenhouse and Ashby) shows that 73% of US-based AI roles are Remote-First. The average salary for senior specialists in these roles currently exceeds the $140,000 to $180,000 annual range, plus equity.

The 5 Hottest AI Opportunities in 2026

If you want to tailor your resume and LinkedIn profile to be easily captured by modern recruiting algorithms, these are the positions with the highest talent deficit in the US market right now:

1. MLOps and LLMOps Engineers (Operations Engineering)

Large Language Models (LLMs) are like Formula 1 engines: they need a full pit crew to avoid crashing on the track. The industry has realized that putting AI into production is vastly different from running a local model.

  • What they do: Manage infrastructure, oversee the model lifecycle, handle fine-tuning with proprietary company data, and ensure the AI does not suffer from large-scale hallucinations.
  • Hot Search Terms: MLOps, LLMOps, Platform Engineering, Data Ops, Kubernetes for AI.

2. Prompt Engineer & AI Interaction Designer

The profession many thought would be a passing fad has heavily evolved. The 2026 Prompt Engineer is not just someone who "talks well to machines"; they are complex logical system designers.

  • What they do: Sitting at the intersection of Software Engineering and UX Design, these professionals design system prompts for Autonomous Agents, build RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) flows, and structure how AI safely interacts with end-users.
  • Hot Search Terms: Prompt Engineering, NLP, AI Behavior Design, UX Writer for AI.

3. Analytics Engineer / Structured Data Specialist

AI is completely useless without clean data. The classic Data Scientist role has yielded massive ground to the Analytics Engineer, the professional who bridges the gap between raw data engineering and business analysis.

  • What they do: Prepare, model, and transform chaotic data lakes into crystal-clear sources so enterprise AI models can consume data and generate real-time insights.
  • Hot Search Terms: Analytics Engineer, dbt, Snowflake, Computer Vision, BigQuery.

4. AI Product Manager (AI PM)

Companies are tired of building AI features "just because." Now, they need these features to drive serious revenue (ROI). The AI-focused Product Manager is the conductor of this orchestra.

  • What they do: Understand the technical limitations of modern LLMs, translate user pain points into viable AI solutions, and manage the product roadmap while ensuring the technology complies with strict privacy laws (like CCPA and GDPR).
  • Hot Search Terms: AI Product Manager, CPO, Product Ops, AI Governance.

5. AI Growth Marketer / High-Performance Media Buyer

In the digital marketing realm, 2026 is the year of autonomous campaign orchestration. Marketers still relying on 100% manual campaign creation are rapidly losing ground to those who can direct predictive AI.

  • What they do: Leverage Machine Learning and advanced AI tools for autonomous Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), automated A/B testing, mass content generation, and predictive consumer behavior analysis.
  • Hot Search Terms: Growth Marketing, Media Buyer, Programmatic, AI Copywriting, Martech.

How to Prepare and Get Found (Beating the ATS Filters)

US companies utilize incredibly rigorous Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) like Workday, Greenhouse, and Lever. They configure recruiting bots to filter resumes using fine-mesh keyword grids.

If you want to land these highly competitive roles, the golden rule is to mirror the exact industry jargon:

  • Don't just write "Data Analyst"; use "Data Ops" or "Analytics Engineer".
  • Don't just list "Cloud Support"; highlight "FinOps", "Cloud Architect", or "Platform Engineer".
  • Replace the outdated "Digital Marketer" with "Growth Ops" or "Performance Manager".

Mondywork Does the Heavy Lifting for You

The US market is fiercely competing for top-tier talent. Startups and tech giants are looking for highly skilled professionals ready to collaborate across different time zones in fully remote environments. That is exactly why Mondywork exists. Our proprietary algorithm scans the largest global Job Boards to find verified, high-paying, and 100% remote Tech, Design, and Marketing opportunities.

Don't miss the chance to ride the biggest technological revolution of our generation.

👉 Subscribe now to Mondywork's Job Alerts


Macroeconomic Reference Sources:

  • World Economic Forum - The Future of Jobs Report 2026 Update.
  • Gartner - Hype Cycle for Artificial Intelligence, 2026.
  • McKinsey Global Institute - The Economic Potential of Generative AI (Revisited 2026).