Senior Machine Learning Engineer - Discovery (ML + Backend Engineering) at Scribd

San Francisco, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

TechnologyIndustries

Requirements

Expertise in machine learning engineering, including designing, building, and optimizing ML systems that scale to millions of users
Proficiency across the ML lifecycle: data ingestion, model training, deployment, and monitoring
Experience with large-scale data pipelines, ingestion, transformation, and validation (e.g., on Databricks)
Skills in training, evaluating, and deploying ML models, including generative models, using internal platforms and industry-standard frameworks
Ability to design and run A/B and multivariate (N-way) experiments to measure impact
Strong backend engineering skills in Go, Python, and Ruby for high-traffic services and pipelines
Experience building and maintaining end-to-end, production-grade ML systems for recommendations, search, and generative AI
Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with product managers, data scientists, analysts, frontend/backend engineers
Familiarity with prototyping 0→1 solutions and operating large-scale experiments
GRIT qualities: set and achieve Goals, deliver Results, contribute Innovative ideas, positively influence Team

Responsibilities

Collaborate with engineering and analytics teams to build large-scale data ingestion, transformation, and validation pipelines on Databricks
Train, evaluate, and deploy ML models (including generative models) to production using Scribd’s internal platform and industry-standard frameworks
Design and run A/B and N-way experiments to measure the impact of model and feature changes
Partner with product managers, data scientists, and analysts for cross-functional collaboration
Build and maintain end-to-end, production-grade ML systems for recommendations, search, and generative AI features
Develop and operate services in Go, Python, and Ruby that power high-traffic recommendation and personalization pipelines
Prototype 0→1 solutions in collaboration with product and engineering teams
Transform massive, diverse datasets into actionable insights driving business impact
Explore and implement generative AI for conversational recommendations, document understanding, and advanced search capabilities
Deliver next-generation AI features like doc-chat and ask-AI to expand user interactions with content

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Machine LearningBackend EngineeringRecommendations Systems

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the work arrangement or location policy for this role?

Scribd offers Scribd Flex, allowing employees in partnership with their manager to choose a daily work-style that suits their needs, balancing individual flexibility and community connections. Occasional in-person attendance is required for all employees, regardless of location, to build collaboration, culture, and connection.

What does GRIT mean at Scribd and what qualities are they looking for?

GRIT stands for setting and achieving Goals, achieving Results within job responsibilities, contributing Innovative ideas and solutions, and positively influencing the Team through collaboration and attitude. Scribd hires for the intersection of passion and perseverance towards long-term goals.

What technical skills are required for the Senior Machine Learning Engineer role?

The role involves building and maintaining production-grade ML systems, developing services in Go, Python, and Ruby for high-traffic pipelines, and experience with large-scale data, machine learning, and generative AI.

What is the salary or compensation for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate for this role at Scribd?

Strong candidates demonstrate GRIT by setting and achieving goals, delivering results, contributing innovative ideas, and positively influencing the team through collaboration. Experience prototyping solutions, building ML systems, and working with large-scale data in a collaborative team environment is key.

Scribd

Digital library and e-book subscription service

About Scribd

Scribd is a digital library and e-book subscription service that provides users with access to a wide variety of reading materials, including e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and documents. Users pay a monthly subscription fee to enjoy unlimited access to this extensive library, which features bestsellers, classic literature, and academic papers. Scribd stands out from competitors like Amazon's Kindle Unlimited and Audible by offering a more diverse range of content types and a user-friendly interface that enhances the reading experience. Additionally, Scribd fosters community engagement through features like ScribdChat, allowing interaction between authors and readers, as well as curated reading lists that highlight relevant content. The company's goal is to serve a broad audience of readers, from casual readers to professionals, by providing a rich and varied digital content library.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2007Year Founded

$102.9MTotal Funding

LATE_VCCompany Stage

Consumer Software, EntertainmentIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - A robust Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program that includes company-wide training, equitable hiring best practices, Employee Resource Groups, and company-wide goals.

Scribd flex - We embrace flexibility as a key principle and will allow employees, in partnership with their manager, to choose the workstyle that best suits their individual needs and preferences.

Health, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability - We offer comprehensive healthcare plans and cover premiums for employees at 100%. PPO, HMO, and High Deductible Health Plans are available so you can choose whichever coverage supports your lifestyle best.

Matching 401(k) - Easily save for retirement with our 401(k) plan and take advantage of up to 3% company match with no waiting period.

Paid Time Off - A generous paid time off program that includes vacation time, personal days, sabbaticals, volunteer time, winter break, sick time, and more.

Paid parental leave - We provide paid time away from work for our new biological, adoptive, or foster parents.

Wellbeing - Resources, workshops & events to support your wellbeing journey: Mind, Body & Soul.

Curated Career Paths and Continuous Learning - The power to explore career paths & possibilities, and the tools to support your growth. From continuing education, degrees, or certifications, we support our employee’s career journeys.

Senior Machine Learning Engineer - Discovery (ML + Backend Engineering) at Scribd

Requirements

Responsibilities

Skills

Questions & Answers

Scribd

About Scribd

Benefits

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - A robust Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program that includes company-wide training, equitable hiring best practices, Employee Resource Groups, and company-wide goals.

Scribd flex - We embrace flexibility as a key principle and will allow employees, in partnership with their manager, to choose the workstyle that best suits their individual needs and preferences.

Health, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability - We offer comprehensive healthcare plans and cover premiums for employees at 100%. PPO, HMO, and High Deductible Health Plans are available so you can choose whichever coverage supports your lifestyle best.

Matching 401(k) - Easily save for retirement with our 401(k) plan and take advantage of up to 3% company match with no waiting period.

Paid Time Off - A generous paid time off program that includes vacation time, personal days, sabbaticals, volunteer time, winter break, sick time, and more.

Paid parental leave - We provide paid time away from work for our new biological, adoptive, or foster parents.

Wellbeing - Resources, workshops & events to support your wellbeing journey: Mind, Body & Soul.

Curated Career Paths and Continuous Learning - The power to explore career paths & possibilities, and the tools to support your growth. From continuing education, degrees, or certifications, we support our employee’s career journeys.

Risks

Credit-based model may alienate users preferring unlimited access.

Spotify's competitive pricing could draw subscribers away from Scribd.

New CEO may disrupt Scribd's current business model and market position.

Differentiation

Scribd offers a diverse range of content types beyond just e-books.

The platform includes features like ScribdChat for author-reader interaction.

Scribd's user-friendly interface enhances the overall reading experience.

Upsides

Tony Grimminck's appointment as CEO suggests potential strategic expansions.

The credit-based model could attract users seeking flexible content access.

Growing audiobook demand presents a market opportunity for Scribd.

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