About the role
Job Application for Applied Research Engineer at Labelbox Back to jobs Applied Research Engineer San Francisco Bay Area Apply Shape the Future of AI At Labelbox, we're building the critical infrastructure that powers breakthrough AI models at leading research labs and enterprises. Since 2018, we've been pioneering data-centric approaches that are fundamental to AI development, and our work becomes even more essential as AI capabilities expand exponentially. About Labelbox We're the only company offering three integrated solutions for frontier AI development: Enterprise Platform & Tools : Advanced annotation tools, workflow automation, and quality control systems that enable teams to produce high-quality training data at scale Frontier Data Labeling Service : Specialized data labeling through Alignerr, leveraging subject matter experts for next-generation AI models Expert Marketplace : Connecting AI teams with highly skilled annotators and domain experts for flexible scaling Why Join Us High-Impact Environment : We operate like an early-stage startup, focusing on impact over process. You'll take on expanded responsibilities quickly, with career growth directly tied to your contributions. Technical Excellence : Work at the cutting edge of AI development, collaborating with industry leaders and shaping the future of artificial intelligence. Innovation at Speed : We celebrate those who take ownership, move fast, and deliver impact. Our environment rewards high agency and rapid execution. Continuous Growth : Every role requires continuous learning and evolution. You'll be surrounded by curious minds solving complex problems at the frontier of AI. Clear Ownership : You'll know exactly what you're responsible for and have the autonomy to execute. We empower people to drive results through clear ownership and metrics. Role Overview As an Applied Research Engineer at Labelbox, you will be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge systems and methods to create, analyze, and leverage high-quality human-in-the-loop data for frontier model developers. Your role will involve designing and implementing advanced systems that align human feedback into AI training processes, such as Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF), Direct Preference Optimization (DPO), etc. You will also work on innovative techniques to measure and improve human data quality, and develop AI-assisted tools to enhance the data labeling process. Your expertise in machine learning, frontier model training, and advanced human data alignment techniques will be crucial in pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities and delivering state-of-the-art solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Your Impact Advance the field of AI alignment by developing cutting-edge methods, such as RLHF and novel approaches, that ensure AI systems reflect human preferences more accurately. Improve the quality of human-in-the-loop data by designing and deploying rigorous measurement and enhancement systems, leading to more reliable AI training. Increase efficiency and effectiveness in AI-assisted data labeling by creating tools that leverage active learning and adaptive sampling, reducing manual effort while improving accuracy. Shape the next generation of AI models by investigating how different types of human feedback (e.g., demonstrations, preferences, critiques) impact model performance and alignment. Optimize human feedback collection by developing novel algorithms that enhance how AI learns from human input, improving model adaptability and responsiveness. Bridge research and real-world application by integrating breakthroughs into Labelbox’s product suite, making human-AI alignment techniques scalable and impactful for users. Drive industry innovation by engaging with customers and the broader AI community to understand evolving data needs and share best practices for training frontier models. Contribute to the AI research ecosystem by publishing in top-tier journals, presenting at leading conferences, and influencing the future of human-centric AI. Stay ahead of AI advancements by continuously exploring new frontiers in human-AI collaboration, human data quality, and AI alignment, keeping Labelbox at the cutting edge. Establish Labelbox as a thought leader in AI by creating technical documentation, blog posts, and educational content that shape the industry's approach to human-centric AI development. What You Bring A strong foundation in AI and machine learning, backed by a Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, AI, or a related field. Proven experience (3+ years) in solving complex ML challenges and delivering impactful solutions that improve real-world AI applications. Expertise in designing and implementing data quality measurement and refinement systems that directly enhance model performance and reliability. A deep understanding of frontier AI models—such as large language models and multimodal models—and the human data strategies needed to optimize them. Proficiency in Python and experience with deep learning frameworks like PyTorch, JAX, or TensorFlow to prototype and develop cutting-edge solutions. A track record of publishing in top-tier AI/ML conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACL, EMNLP, NAACL) and contributing to the broader research community. The ability to bridge research and application by interpreting new findings and rapidly translating them into functional prototypes. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills that enable you to tackle ambiguous AI challenges with structured, data-driven approaches. Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, allowing you to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and with external stakeholders. Labelbox Applied Research At Labelbox Applied Research, we're committed to pushing the boundaries of AI and data-centric machine learning, with a particular focus on advanced human-AI interaction techniques. We believe that high-quality human data and sophisticated human feedback integration methods are key to unlocking the next generation of AI capabilities. Our research team works at the intersection of machine learning, human-computer interaction, and AI ethics to develop innovative solutions that can be practically applied in real-world scenarios. We foster an environment of intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. We encourage our researchers to explore new ideas, engage in open discussions, and contribute to the wider AI community through publications and conference presentations. Our goal is to be at the forefront of human-centric AI development, setting new standards for how AI systems learn from and interact with humans. Labelbox strives to ensure pay parity across the organization and discuss compensation transparently. The expected annual base salary range for United States-based candidates is below. This range is not inclusive of any potential equity packages or additional benefits. Exact compensation varies based on a variety of factors, including skills and competencies, experience, and geographical location. Annual base salary range $250,000 - $300,000 USD Life at Labelbox Location : Join our dedicated tech hubs in San Francisco or Wrocław, Poland Work Style : Hybrid model with 2 days per week in office, combining collaboration and flexibility Environment : Fast-paced and high-intensity, perfect for ambitious individuals who thrive on ownership and quick decision-making Growth : Career advancement opportunities directly tied to your impact Vision : Be part of building the foundation for humanity's most transformative technology Our Vision We believe data will remain crucial in achieving artificial general intelligence. As AI models become more sophisticated, the need for high-quality, specialized training data will only grow. Join us in developing new products and services that enable the next generation of AI breakthroughs. Labelbox is backed by leading investors including SoftBank, Andreessen Horowitz, B Capital, Gradient Ventures, Databricks Ventures, and Kleiner Perkins. Our customers include Fortune 500 enterprises and leading AI labs. Your Personal Data Privacy : Any personal information you provide Labelbox as a part of your application will be processed in accordance with Labelbox’s Job Applicant Privacy notice . Any emails from Labelbox team members will originate from a @labelbox.com email address. If you encounter anything that raises suspicions during your interactions, we encourage you to exercise caution and suspend or discontinue communications. Create a Job Alert Interested in building your career at Labelbox? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email. 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