Applied ML Engineer ($200K–$350K + Equity) Building Infra to End AI Slop

About the job

This role is being recruited by CoffeeSpace on behalf of an early-stage AI startup focused on teaching AI models subjective judgment in creative domains.

We’re looking for innovative applied ML engineers who can lead research to improve AI's understanding of design and aesthetics. If there’s a strong fit, we’ll connect you directly with the team.

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Compensation: $200K–$350K base 0.25%–1% equity

Employment type: Full-time

Visa: Open to visa sponsorships and transfers (e.g., new H1B, TN)

About the company

This company is pioneering the "taste layer" for AI models, focusing on subjective areas like design and creative expression where AI traditionally struggles. The aim is to enhance models' ability to make aesthetic judgments across various creative fields.

Founded in 2024, the team consists of diverse talents from top AI labs and enterprises, poised to transform AI's role in creative processes. With recent seed funding, the company is experiencing rapid growth and aiming for significant impact in the AI landscape.

About the role

As an Applied ML Engineer, you will drive full-stack research from experimental design to training and publication. You'll work closely with model labs on cutting-edge projects to establish new benchmarks for subjective taste.

What You’ll Do

• Train and fine-tune models in subjective domains such as design and writing.
• Develop sophisticated evaluation methods and benchmarks.
• Conduct experiments with open-source models for post-training enhancements.
• Collaborate with AI labs and creatives to execute innovative pilot projects.
• Publish findings through blogs and academic channels.

Why This Role Is Compelling

• Work at the frontier of AI and creativity, shaping models to understand nuanced taste.
• Join a fast-growing, well-funded startup with a mission to innovate AI infrastructure.
• Directly influence the product roadmap and model development.
• Collaborate with a network of AI experts and creatives to push the boundaries of AI capabilities.

The Ideal Candidate

• 2 years of ML research or applied ML experience, emphasizing post-training techniques.
• Experience with LLMs, diffusion models, and creative AI applications.
• Strong skills in Python and Pytorch.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, with a passion for creativity and design.
• Previous startup or early-stage experience is highly desired.

This Role Is NOT For You If

• You prefer purely academic roles without practical application.
• You lack experience in startup environments.
• You have not worked with LLMs or transformer-based models.
• You require extensive supervision or detailed scopes.

Next steps

1. Apply via this LinkedIn job post.
2. We’ll review and reach out if there’s a strong match.
3. If aligned, we’ll introduce you directly to the team.
4. If this role isn’t the right fit, we may suggest other opportunities, always with your permission.

A quick note on authenticity

This is a real, active role that CoffeeSpace is recruiting for in close partnership with the hiring team. We don’t post speculative roles and work directly with teams on their actual hiring needs.