AdTechTalent
Data Science2 days agoRemote

FreeWheel

Sr. Principal Machine Learning Engineer

machine learningoptimizationreinforcement learningcausal inferenceauction theoryoperations researchpredictive modelingdspadvertisingtargetingcampaign optimizationdata scienceleadershipresearchdigital advertisingmarketing technologylarge-scale systems

Key details

Salary

$289K – $385K

Employment type

Full-time

Seniority

C Level

Years experience

10+

Location

California, United States; Remote, United States

Full job description

FreeWheel, a Comcast company, seeks a Sr Principal Scientist of Research & Optimization Sciences to lead a global team of research scientists and machine learning experts. The role involves defining scientific vision, research agenda, and technical strategy for large-scale advertising and marketing platforms. Responsibilities include leading research in machine learning, optimization, economics, and experimentation; developing large-scale ML systems for prediction, targeting, and campaign optimization; innovating DSP optimization and marketplace systems; recruiting and mentoring scientific talent; and translating research into production systems impacting revenue and platform efficiency. Requirements include a Ph.D. in a quantitative field, 15+ years developing ML and optimization systems, 10+ years leadership experience, expertise in machine learning, optimization, operations research, auction design, and experience managing global teams. The position offers a salary range of $288,594.24 to $384,792.31 USD in California with hybrid remote work options.

What you'll do

  • Define and execute long-term research strategy for optimization, targeting, bidding, forecasting, and marketplace systems
  • Lead a global team of research scientists and applied researchers across multiple geographies
  • Identify emerging opportunities in machine learning, AI, optimization, and computational economics
  • Foster a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, experimentation, and measurable business impact
  • Drive development of large-scale machine learning systems for prediction, recommendation, targeting, and campaign optimization
  • Advance state-of-the-art approaches in predictive modeling, reinforcement learning, causal inference, auction theory, multi-objective optimization, control systems, and operations research
  • Oversee research from problem formulation through experimentation, deployment, and production monitoring
  • Lead innovation across DSP optimization, campaign delivery, supply optimization, and audience targeting systems
  • Partner with Product and Engineering leaders to align research investments with strategic business objectives
  • Develop frameworks that improve advertiser outcomes, platform efficiency, and marketplace health
  • Recruit, mentor, and retain top-tier scientific talent
  • Establish technical standards, research processes, and career development frameworks
  • Build collaborations across research, engineering, product, and commercial organizations
  • Represent the company externally through publications, patents, industry conferences, and academic partnerships
  • Translate advanced research into measurable improvements in revenue, efficiency, customer performance, and platform scalability
  • Drive data-driven decision-making through experimentation and causal measurement frameworks
  • Evaluate strategic technology investments and emerging opportunities

Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, or related quantitative field
  • 15+ years of experience developing machine learning and optimization systems
  • 10+ years of leadership experience managing research scientists and technical organizations
  • Demonstrated success deploying research innovations into production environments at scale
  • Deep expertise in machine learning, optimization, operations research, control theory, economics and auction design, statistical modeling, large-scale experimentation
  • Track record of publications, patents, or significant scientific contributions
  • Exceptional communication and executive stakeholder management skills
  • Experience leading research organizations within digital advertising, marketing technology, marketplaces, or internet-scale platforms
  • Expertise in demand-side platforms (DSPs), bidding systems, targeting technologies, or advertising optimization
  • Experience managing globally distributed teams
  • Strong record of academic and industry thought leadership
  • Consistent exercise of independent judgment and discretion in matters of significance
  • Regular, consistent and punctual attendance; must be able to work nights and weekends, variable schedule(s) as necessary

Tech stack

machine learningoptimizationreinforcement learningcausal inferenceauction theorymulti-objective optimizationcontrol systemsoperations researchpredictive modelingstatistical modelinglarge-scale experimentationdemand-side platforms (DSPs)bidding systemstargeting technologiesadvertising optimization

Benefits

Base pay within $288,594.24 - $384,792.31 USD range in CaliforniaBonus eligibility for non-sales positionsCommission eligibility for sales positionsComprehensive benefits supporting physical, financial, and emotional well-beingPersonalized support through expert guidance and always-on tools

Apply now

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