Distinguished Software Engineer, Recommendation Systems (AI/ML)

Meta is seeking a Distinguished Software Engineer with deep machine learning expertise to drive transformative advances in Meta's AI-powered products. In this role, you will operate at the intersection of foundational ML research and large-scale user products, shaping the technical direction of applied AI, machine learning modeling, and infrastructure across the organization. You will identify and solve the hardest user problems, and leverage AI-native approaches to unlock step-change improvements in Meta's recommendation products.

Distinguished Software Engineer, Recommendation Systems (AI/ML) Responsibilities:

• The role: Top applied AI/ML expert in a Recommendation Product
• Work on the hardest applied AI problem in the product
• Set a 2–3 year north-star architecture for the product
• Apply AI-native workflows and tooling as a force multiplier to accelerate AI/ML advancement in the product and expand the scope of what engineering teams can deliver
• Define new metrics and data-driven decision-making principles for long-term ML projects, connecting operational metrics to organization-level business outcomes
• Proactively identify systemic reliability, privacy, and integrity risks in ML systems and build robust technical safeguards, partnering with compliance and policy teams to ensure responsible AI deployment
• Mentor engineers across the organization on applied AI/ML, debugging complex product problems, and building production-grade AI systems, establishing yourself as a sought-after technical coach and technical leader

Minimum Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in applied AI/ML with a track record of delivering measurable product outcomes
• Experience defining technical strategy and gaining organizational alignment across multiple engineering teams and cross-functional stakeholders
• Experience communicating complex ML system designs and trade-offs in writing to both technical and non-technical audiences, including executive leadership

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
• Experience applying ML to multiple product domains such as ranking and recommendation, generative AI, computer vision, or natural language processing
• Track record of industry-recognized contributions to machine learning applications, such as publications and open-source projects
• Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, harness engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies

About Meta:

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [email protected].

$347,000/year to $403,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.