Ai Research Engineer Jobs

About Phaidra

Phaidra is building the future of industrial automation.

The world today is filled with static, monolithic infrastructure. Factories, power plants, buildings, etc. operate the same they've operated for decades — because the controls programming is hard-coded. Thousands of lines of rules and heuristics that define how the machines interact with each other. The result of all this hard-coding is that facilities are frozen in time, unable to adapt to their environment while their performance slowly degrades.

Phaidra creates AI-powered control systems for the industrial sector, enabling industrial facilities to automatically learn and improve over time. Specifically:

• We use reinforcement learning algorithms to provide this intelligence, converting raw sensor data into high-value actions and decisions.
• We focus on industrial applications, which tend to be well-sensorized with measurable KPIs — perfect for reinforcement learning.
• We enable domain experts (our users) to configure the AI control systems (i.e. agents) without writing code. They define what they want their AI agents to do, and we do it for them.

Our team has a track record of applying AI to some of the toughest problems. From achieving superhuman performance with DeepMind's AlphaGo, to reducing the energy required to cool Google's Data Centers by 40%, we deeply understand AI and how to apply it in production for massive impact.

Phaidra is based in the USA but 100% remote; we do not have a physical office. We hire employees internationally with the help of our partner, OysterHR. Our team is currently located throughout the USA, Canada, UK, Norway, Italy, Portugal, and India.

• Please only apply to one opening. If you are a better fit for another opening, our team will move your application. Candidates who apply to multiple openings will not be considered.**

Who You Are

Phaidra is looking for a driven Applied Research Engineer to be a part of our research team. You are bold and creative, and have deep empathy for customers who may not be tech-savvy. You will work directly with the research team and the customers to design and implement Deep RL techniques in production. You will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact with your work and guide the product and team as we grow.

For this position, we are seeking a team member located within one of the following areas: Canada

Responsibilities

The ideal candidate has experience wearing multiple hats. Your responsibilities will include flavors of Machine Learning and Software Engineering. You will help design and implement:

• Working with AI researchers and software engineers to productionize proven Deep Learning and Deep Reinforcement Learning techniques.
• Working with AI researchers on applied real-world problems to prove algorithmic feasibility and push the algorithmic capabilities.
• Being power users of the AI development platform that Phaidra is building to serve AI solutions to our customers.
• Prediction and Decision algorithms to control complex non-linear and dynamic systems. This includes:

Key Qualifications

• 1+ years of prior applied/core research experience.
• Expertise in Python with considerable experience in using open source ML libraries Keras/TensorFlow, PyTorch, scipy, scikit-learn, numpy, pandas, ray
• Strong expertise in Deep Reinforcement Learning.
• Experience in actively researching/applying in the fields of {ModelBased, Batch, Safe} RL methods
• Bachelors or Masters in Engineering or Computer Science.
• Deep understanding of concepts within Linear Algebra, Probability, Statistics, Calculus.
• Share our company values: curiosity, ownership, transparency & directness, outcome-based performance, and customer empathy.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Understanding of Control Theory.
• Understanding of Industrial Manufacturing.

Our Stack

• GCP
• Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, Ray
• PyTorch, scipy, scikit-learn, numpy, pandas
• Python

30/60/90 days

In your first 30 days...

• You will set up your development environment and get introduced to various parts of our code base.
• You will read various parts of our handbook and familiarize yourself with the documentation culture at Phaidra.
• You will learn how other teams operate, interact, and approach problems.
• You will spend time in the research team and get introduced to the different tracks of research that we perform.
• You will be immersed in an onboarding program that introduces you to Phaidra and our product.

By your first 60 days...

• You will have a solid understanding of what Phaidra does and how we do it.
• You will have a good understanding of our research tracks, which allowed you to form a plan for your first project, or maybe, you have already started one.
• You will have met with team members across Phaidra and started building relationships that will help you be successful at your job.

By your first 90 days...

• You will have been fully integrated in the team and with team members across the company.
• You will have started to contribute to knowledge sharing throughout Phaidra.
• Your project is in full swing and you might have some early results already.

Salary Range

Canada: CA$100,000 - $130,000

This position includes equity.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (exact benefits vary by region).
• Training is foundational; functional, customer immersion, and development training.
• Fast-paced and team-oriented environment where you will be instrumental in the direction of the company.
• Outsized responsibilities & professional development.
• Phaidra is a 100% remote company with a digital nomad policy.
• Monthly internet reimbursement.
• Unlimited paid time off, with a minimum of 20 days off per year requirement.
• Paid parental leave (exact benefits vary by region).
• Competitive compensation & equity with an early exercise option.
• Home office setup stipend and company MacBook.

On being Remote

We are thoughtful about remote collaboration. We look to the pioneers - like Gitlab - for inspiration and best practices to create a stellar remote work environment. We have a documentation-first culture and actively practice asynchronous communication in everything we do. Our team stays connected through tools like Slack and video chat. Most teams meet daily, and we have dedicated all-hands meetings bi-weekly to build strong relationships. We hold virtual team building events once per month - and even hold virtual socials to watch rocket launches! We have a yearly in-person, all-company summit in locations like Seattle, Athens, Goa, and Barcelona.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Phaidra is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Phaidra is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status. We welcome diversity and strive to maintain an inclusive environment for all employees. If you need assistance with completing the application process, please contact us at [email protected].

E-Verify Notice

Phaidra participates in E-Verify, an employment authorization database provided through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA). As required by law, we will provide the SSA and, if necessary, the DHS, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization for those residing in the United States.

Additional Information About E-Verify Can Be Found Here.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM RECRUITERS.