Senior Staff AI Research Engineer, AI Platform
Ridgeline is seeking a Senior Staff AI Research Engineer to join our AI Platform team. In this strategic role, you will shape our AI capabilities, set the technical vision, and deliver transformative tools for the investment management industry. Your deep expertise in AI systems will drive innovation using state-of-the-art technologies.
Key responsibilities include leading the design and delivery of next-generation AI capabilities, integrating large language models (LLMs), Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) workflows, and AI Agents into Ridgeline’s platform. You will define and execute the AI strategy, collaborate with product and engineering leaders to identify high-value opportunities, and architect scalable, robust AI pipelines for cloud-based production environments. Additionally, you will research and implement advanced AI models and algorithms, mentor engineers, and establish best practices for AI development.
The ideal candidate has over 10 years of software engineering experience, with at least 5 years focused on AI/ML development. Proven expertise in architecting and deploying machine learning systems, particularly LLMs, in production environments is essential. Deep knowledge of AI Agent frameworks, RAG, and fine-tuning of large models is required. Strong programming skills in Python and familiarity with languages like Kotlin or Java are necessary, along with experience in cloud platforms (AWS preferred) and distributed systems. Demonstrated leadership and mentoring abilities, as well as strong communication and collaboration skills, are also important.
Compensation for this role is competitive, with a typical starting salary range of $200,000 to $232,500. In select locations, such as the San Francisco Bay Area and the New York City Metro Area, the range is $205,000 to $242,500. Final compensation amounts are determined by multiple factors, including candidate experience and expertise. Ridgeline offers rich benefits, including participation in the Company Stock Plan, unlimited vacation, educational and wellness reimbursements, and $0 cost employee insurance plans.
Ridgeline is the industry cloud platform for investment management, founded by tech entrepreneur Dave Duffield. We are building a modern platform in the public cloud, purpose-built for the investment management industry, prioritizing security, agility, and usability. With a growing campus in Reno and offices in New York, Lake Tahoe, and the Bay Area, Ridgeline has been recognized by Fast Company as a “Best Workplace for Innovators,” by The Software Report as a “Top 100 Software Company,” and by Forbes as one of “America’s Best Startup Employers.”