Principal Research Engineer, Generative AI at SoundHound AI

SoundHound AI builds Voice AI products that let people talk naturally to cars, restaurant systems, and other everyday technology across two dozen languages. We are looking for a Principal Research Engineer to lead generative AI work that strengthens the intelligence behind our conversational platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects in generative AI with emphasis on natural language understanding, dialogue generation, and context-aware conversation systems.
• Create new algorithms and models that raise the performance of our conversational AI platform.
• Train and fine-tune large-scale deep learning models for natural language processing and dialogue tasks.
• Work with machine learning engineers, software developers, and product managers to move research results into production.
• Mentor junior researchers and engineers while promoting a culture of continuous learning.
• Track advances in generative AI and help evolve our technology stack.

Must-haves

• Ph.D. in Computer Science and at least eight years of full-time industry experience.
• Strong record of impactful research and development in generative AI, shown through publications and projects.
• Expert-level skill with TensorFlow or PyTorch and experience training large-scale models.
• Deep knowledge of natural language processing methods, including pre-trained language models, text generation, and dialogue systems.
• Advanced Python programming ability for implementing and optimizing AI models.
• Proven capacity to solve complex problems and deliver novel solutions in conversational AI.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills for working across functions.
• Enthusiasm for staying current with AI research and expanding the limits of conversational technology.
• Proficiency in English.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience applying reinforcement learning to dialogue systems or conversational AI.
• Background building chatbots or virtual assistants.
• Prior work at a conversational AI company.
• Contributions to open-source AI projects or communities.

Benefits

The salary range for this position is $202,000 - $268,000.

• Equity compensation (SOUN stock).
• Comprehensive medical insurance.
• Paid time off.
• Flexible hours.
• Professional development support.
• Hybrid and remote work options.