Contract Applied Scientist Machine Learning Jobs

Adobe is dedicated to changing the world through digital experiences. We offer everything needed to build and deliver outstanding experiences to everyone-from emerging artists to global brands. We are passionate about enabling people to develop beautiful images, videos, and apps. We also help companies change how they connect with customers across all screens. Our mission is to hire top talent and build outstanding employee experiences with respect and equal opportunity for all. New ideas can come from anywhere in our organization, including from you.
Adobe Firefly's Applied Science & Machine Learning (ASML) group invites an Applied Scientist / Machine Learning Engineer passionate about post-training and distillation of large generative AI models to join the team. This role will focus on raising the quality, efficiency, and deployability of Adobe's generative models for images and videos. The chosen candidate will collaborate with researchers and engineers to build and refine post-training pipelines such as supervised fine-tuning (SFT), preference optimization, and model distillation. These efforts will facilitate adapting large complex models into efficient production versions.
This role influences the performance and scalability of Firefly's generative AI systems, facilitating next-generation creative functionalities for millions of users. As an Applied Scientist at Adobe, you will join a distinguished team of applied researchers and engineers committed to developing and improving generative AI systems. You will work alongside data, modeling, and infrastructure groups to implement post-training upgrades into production systems that support Adobe products.
Job Responsibilities

• Develop and run distillation pipelines to transfer capabilities from large teacher models into smaller, efficient student models.

• Carry out and refine post-training methods including supervised fine-tuning (SFT), preference optimization (DPO/GRPO), and reward-based learning.

• Build infrastructure and tools for teacher rollout creation, distillation data pipelines, and training workflows.

• Carry out experiments aimed at improving model quality, efficiency, and instruction alignment for generative AI models.

• Collaborate closely with research scientists to convert research ideas into scalable training pipelines and production-ready implementations.

• Evaluate models using both automated metrics and human preference signals to guide post-training improvements.

• Optimize models for deployment efficiency, including distillation, model compression, and inference performance.

• Collaborate with various groups such as data, research, and product units to incorporate post-training improvements into Adobe Firefly systems.

What you need to succeed

• Expertise in machine learning algorithms and model distillation techniques

• Strong programming skills in Python or similar languages

• Experience with AI model training and optimization

• Preferred qualifications: Advanced degree or relevant experience in a related field, background in large-scale data pipelines, and knowledge of Adobe products.

About Adobe
Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe's industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.
Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We're on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.
Let's Adobe together
At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.
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AI Use Guidelines for Interviews:
Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.
At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI - and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it's restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.
Expected Pay Range:
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $142,700 -- $270,950 annually. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process.
In California, the pay range for this position is $187,100 - $270,950In Washington, the pay range for this position is $168,600 - $244,200
At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).
In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.
State-Specific Notices:
California:
Fair Chance Ordinances
Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and "fair chance" ordinances.
Colorado:
Application Window Notice
If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.
Massachusetts:
Massachusetts Legal Notice
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.