# Senior Machine Learning Engineer II, Ads Response Prediction

**Company:** [Instacart](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/instacart)
**Location:** Remote
**Role:** ML Engineering
**Salary:** $201k – $254k/yr
**Experience:** 6+ years
**Skills:** Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, SQL, Spark, pandas, Deepfm, Dcn, Mixture-Of-Experts, Transformer, Lora, Ctr Prediction, Causal Inference, Counterfactual Reasoning
**Posted:** 2026-05-28

> Lead research on pCTR and conversion models for Instacart Ads. Tackle bias mitigation, calibration, multi-task learning, and generative retrieval systems. Requires 6+ years ML experience and advanced degree.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Lead research and development of pCTR and conversion prediction models, focusing on calibration, bias reduction, and accuracy across ads surfaces
- Design and implement debiasing techniques including Mixed Negative Sampling (MNS), Inverse Propensity Weighting (IPW), counterfactual risk minimization, and calibration methods (Platt scaling, isotonic regression)
- Contribute to Multi-Domain Multi-Task (MDMT) model architecture with Mixture-of-Experts (MoE), Transformer layers, and LoRA adaptors
- Drive sequence modeling initiatives including TIGER generative retrieval system and Semantic ID representation learning
- Collaborate on Foundation Models using autoregressive user behavior prediction
- Formulate ambiguous modeling problems from first principles and translate business observations into ML research directions
- Publish and present findings internally; contribute to design reviews, paper sharing, and experiment retrospectives

## Requirements
- PhD/Master in machine learning, statistics, computer science, information retrieval, or related quantitative field
- 6+ years combined academic and industry experience applying ML to ranking, recommendation, or prediction problems at scale
- Deep understanding of CTR/conversion prediction modeling (Deep & Wide, DeepFM, DCN, multi-task learning)
- Strong foundation in causal inference, counterfactual reasoning, and training data bias mitigation
- Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX); fluency in SQL, Spark, Pandas
- Track record of scoping ML research directions and delivering results through rigorous experimentation
- Strong written and verbal communication skills

## Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in ads ranking or auction-based systems
- Hands-on experience with autoregressive sequence models, generative retrieval, or transformer-based ranking architectures
- Familiarity with Semantic IDs, product embeddings, transfer learning, or domain adaptation (LoRA)
- Publication record in top-tier venues (KDD, WWW, RecSys, NeurIPS, ICML, SIGIR)
- Experience mentoring junior engineers
- Familiarity with LLM-driven approaches to recommendation

## Similar roles

- [Senior Applied Scientist II, Ads Optimization](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/34a037c4-6e12-48ae-b567-885e048d2031) - Instacart - Remote - $201k – $254k/yr
- [Senior Software Engineer, AI/LLM](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/9a0dcb3c-0635-4064-bdb6-f933860bcc8f) - Bubble - New York, NY - $201k – $261k/yr
- [Senior Software Engineer - Domestic Wires](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/e8010ddb-daf0-4026-9a64-3e4126c4f7a1) - Mercury - San Francisco, CA - $201k – $251k/yr
- [Senior Software Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/d09d15d2-e8db-4410-8432-411e1731679e) - Traba - New York, NY - $200k – $240k/yr
- [Senior Applied AI Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/2ee355ea-77df-4a9a-bab1-4a96c2ed3514) - Roger Healthcare - San Francisco, CA - $200k – $250k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/51511b60-2a9e-46ca-8e6b-0ded18aaf4d9
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/51511b60-2a9e-46ca-8e6b-0ded18aaf4d9