AI Scientist - ML

About the Company

Figma is a design and collaboration platform that helps teams move from ideas and prototypes to products while working together in real time. Its platform supports brainstorming, design, prototyping, translating designs into code, and AI-powered workflows.

Figma is expanding its AI capabilities to make design and collaboration more accessible and efficient for users worldwide.

About the Job

Figma is seeking a Generative AI Scientist with a strong Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence background to develop AI technologies that improve Figma products.

The role combines fundamental and applied AI research with production-focused machine learning development. The scientist will explore new approaches to building high-quality AI/ML models and systems while applying techniques such as Supervised Fine-Tuning (SFT), Reinforcement Learning (RL), prompt optimization, and synthetic data generation.

Working closely with product managers, infrastructure engineers, and product engineers, the role will help transform user feedback into AI system requirements, develop evaluation frameworks, and deliver AI-powered features across Figma’s products.

The position can be based remotely within the United States or from one of Figma’s US hubs.

Key Responsibilities

Drive fundamental and applied research in Artificial Intelligence.

Explore new approaches and technologies to develop high-quality AI models for Figma’s domains.

Design and build Generative AI models using techniques including SFT, reinforcement learning, prompt improvement, and synthetic data generation.

Work with product and infrastructure engineers to improve Figma products through AI-powered features.

Collaborate with product managers and engineers to translate user feedback into requirements for AI systems.

Build evaluation systems to measure and improve the quality of AI features.

Develop and deploy production-ready Generative AI capabilities.

Apply industry best practices and first-principles approaches to AI/ML system design.

Contribute to long-term AI research and product roadmaps.

Collaborate across functions to drive technical solutions.

Potentially mentor and influence senior engineers across organizations.

Support large-scale and distributed AI training initiatives where applicable.

Qualifications

4+ years of experience in Generative AI.

6+ years of experience in one or more of Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing/Understanding, or Computer Vision.

5+ years of software engineering/programming experience using languages such as Python, C++, Java, or R.

Extensive experience building Generative AI features through prompt engineering and model fine-tuning in production environments.

Experience with deep learning and Generative AI frameworks such as PyTorch, JAX, and Hugging Face.

Experience training LLMs using reinforcement learning techniques such as DPO, PPO, GRPO, or DAPO.

Strong software engineering and problem-solving capabilities.

Experience communicating and working effectively across functions.

Ability to combine research approaches with practical product development.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience planning multi-year technical roadmaps where short-term projects contribute to long-term objectives.

Experience mentoring or influencing senior engineers across organizations.

Expertise in large-scale and distributed AI model training.

Experience with reinforcement learning from execution feedback for coding.

Experience with reinforcement learning involving non-verifiable rewards.

Skills Requirements

Generative AI

Machine Learning

Deep Learning

Large Language Models (LLMs)

Natural Language Processing

Computer Vision

PyTorch

JAX

Hugging Face

Python

C++

Java

R

Prompt Engineering

Model Fine-Tuning

Supervised Fine-Tuning (SFT)

Reinforcement Learning

DPO

PPO

GRPO

DAPO

Synthetic Data Generation

AI Evaluation Systems

Distributed AI Training

AI Product Development

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Compensation & Benefits

Annual Base Salary Range — San Francisco/New York Hub: $149,000–$350,000 USD.

For remote roles, compensation is localized according to employee work location, with the applicable range determined based on the employee’s location.

Figma states that its benefits package includes:

Equity

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Retirement plan with company contribution

Parental leave and reproductive/family planning support

Mental health and wellness benefits…