# Research, Audio Expertise

**Company:** [Thinking Machines Lab](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/thinking-machines-lab)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA
**Role:** AI Research
**Salary:** $350k – $475k/yr
**Skills:** PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, Python, Machine Learning, Distributed Training, Audio Modeling, Asr, Tts, Multimodal Models
**Posted:** 2026-05-04

> Conducts research to advance audio capabilities in AI models, designing and training large-scale multimodal systems, building audio data pipelines, and publishing findings. Requires ML expertise, Python proficiency, and experience with deep learning frameworks.

## Job Description

## What You’ll Do

- Own research projects on audio training, low-latency inference and conversational responsiveness.
- Design and train large-scale models that natively support audio input and output.
- Investigate scaling behavior such as how data, model size, and compute affect capability and efficiency.
- Build and maintain audio data pipelines, including preprocessing, filtering, segmentation, and alignment for training and evaluation.
- Collaborate with data and infrastructure teams to scale audio training efficiently across distributed systems.
- Publish and present research that moves the entire community forward. Share code, datasets, and insights that accelerate progress across industry and academia.

## Skills and Qualifications

**Minimum qualifications:**
- Ability to design, run, and analyze experiments thoughtfully, with demonstrated research judgment and empirical rigor.
- Understanding of machine learning fundamentals, large-scale training, and distributed compute environments.
- Proficiency in Python and familiarity with at least one deep learning framework (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX). Comfortable with debugging distributed training and writing code that scales.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Physics, Mathematics, or a related discipline with strong theoretical and empirical grounding.
- Clarity in communication, an ability to explain complex technical concepts in writing.

**Preferred qualifications:**
- A strong grasp of probability, statistics, and ML fundamentals. You can look at experimental data and distinguish between real effects, noise, and bugs.
- Experience with real-time inference, streaming architectures, or optimization for low latency.
- Prior experience training or evaluating large-scale audio or multimodal models.
- Publications, releases, or open-source projects related to speech, audio, voice, or similar areas.
- Demonstrated experience in audio or speech modeling, including ASR, TTS, or self-supervised audio learning.
- PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Physics, Mathematics, or a related discipline with strong theoretical and empirical grounding; or, equivalent industry research experience.

## Logistics

**Compensation:** Depending on background, skills and experience, the expected annual salary range for this position is $350,000 - $475,000 USD.

**Benefits:** Generous health, dental, and vision benefits, unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, and relocation support as needed.

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