AI Insights
Adobe

Sr. Research Engineer

Adobe · San Jose, California, US
full-timesenior (3-10 yrs)Posted 28d ago
Software EngineeringIC3ICHybrid (3d)
StackPythonPyTorchTensorFlowJAXC++TensorRTCoreMLONNXRuntimeTensorFlow LiteWinMLAITemplatediffusion model optimizationneural network pruningknowledge distillationquantizationneural architecture searchsparse mixture of expertssub-quadratic attentioncomputer visionnatural language processingon-device MLmultimodal ML

Summary

Adobe Research is seeking a Senior Research Engineer to join its Research Engineering & Design Lab, focused on optimizing large-scale generative AI models for cloud and on-device deployment across Adobe's creative product suite.

About the role

The Opportunity

The Research Engineering & Design Lab within Adobe Research is looking for a Sr. Research Engineer with a passion for the unique challenges involved in the development of high-performance ML models, with a particular focus on optimizing the resource consumption of large-scale generative models, including for cloud and on-device deployment. Join our efforts to turn cutting-edge research into new products and features in Adobe's web, desktop and mobile applications, and expand what's possible in tools for creative expression.

What you'll Do

At Adobe Research, you will work closely with both scientists and engineers to ensure that new technologies being developed for generative AI models, image processing, audio, video, animation, 3D and vector graphics will run efficiently in-cloud and on a variety of platforms. You'll help adapt models and algorithms to the limitations of different systems and devices. You will have the opportunity to:

  • Play a key collaborative role in ambitious research projects
  • Be valued as a specialist in your domain of expertise
  • Build innovative tool that enables users to explore their creative potential
  • Contribute to existing Adobe tools as well as completely new applications
  • Impact products that are used by tens of millions of people
  • Learn from your peers and grow into new opportunities

What you need to succeed

  • Passion for model optimization/compression and high-performance computing
  • Solid deep learning skills, including practical experience in computer vision/natural language processing
  • Knowledgeable about the current state of the art in ML efficiency
  • Experience in improving the efficiency of mid- to large-scale ML models
  • Software engineering expertise
  • Proficiency with Python and ML libraries like PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, or similar
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills
  • Ph.D. /Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or 3 years of industry experience

Additional Desirable Qualifications

  • Knowledge of state-of-the-art machine learning methods for large scale multimodal models
  • Experience on diffusion model optimization, neural network pruning/knowledge distillation/quantization/architecture search, sub-quadratic attention optimization, efficient architecture design and on-device ML
  • Experience with sparse mixture of experts and related techniques
  • Experience running ML models within a deployment environment (using TensorRT, AITemplate, CoreML, WinML, TensorFlow Lite, ONNXRuntime or similar)
  • Hands-on experience in designing ML models between different platforms (Cloud, mobile, in-browser, etc.)
  • Knowledge of design techniques for mobile-friendly ML models
  • Proficiency with C++

About Adobe

Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe’s industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.

Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours. 


Let’s Adobe together

At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.

Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more.

Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email [email protected] or call +1 408-536-3015. 

AI Use Guidelines for Interviews:
Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.

At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI — and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it’s restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.

 

Expected Pay Range:

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several  U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $164,600 -- $313,300 annually. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process.

 

In Washington, the pay range for this position is $204,800 - $296,600

At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans.  Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).

In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.

State-Specific Notices:

California:

Fair Chance Ordinances

Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances.

Colorado:

Application Window Notice

If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.

Massachusetts:

Massachusetts Legal Notice

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

What you'll do

1Collaborate closely with scientists and engineers to ensure generative AI, image processing, audio, video, animation, 3D and vector graphics models run efficiently in-cloud and on diverse platforms
2Adapt models and algorithms to the resource constraints of different systems and devices
3Play a key collaborative role in ambitious research projects
4Build innovative tools that enable users to explore creative potential
5Contribute to existing Adobe products and develop new applications
6Impact products used by tens of millions of people globally

Requirements

3+ years of industry experience or a Ph.D./Master's in CS or related field, with hands-on expertise optimizing mid-to-large-scale ML models
Solid deep learning foundations with practical experience in computer vision and/or NLP, including proficiency with PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX
Demonstrated knowledge of ML efficiency techniques and current state-of-the-art in model compression
Strong software engineering skills with Python proficiency and ability to collaborate with research scientists in a cross-functional lab setting
Experience adapting ML models for deployment across diverse environments including cloud, mobile, and in-browser platforms

Nice to have

C++
TensorRT
CoreML
ONNXRuntime
TensorFlow Lite
WinML
AITemplate
diffusion model optimization
neural network pruning
knowledge distillation
quantization
neural architecture search
sparse mixture of experts
sub-quadratic attention
on-device ML
multimodal ML

Role overview

Role family
Software Engineering
Level
IC3 — ml_ai
Experience
3–10 years
Type
Individual Contributor
Remote policy
Hybrid (3 days)
Visa sponsorship
Not offered

Tech stack analysis

LANGUAGES
PythonC++
FRAMEWORKS
PyTorchTensorFlowJAX
INFRASTRUCTURE
TensorRTCoreMLONNXRuntimeTensorFlow LiteWinMLAITemplateCloud deploymentMobile deploymentIn-browser ML

Green flags

7 items
Role offers direct impact on products used by tens of millions of people, providing significant scale and visibilitygrowth

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Benefits breakdown

HEALTH & WELLNESS
Comprehensive benefits programs (implied medical, dental, vision — not itemized)

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Hiring insights

JD quality
8/10
Urgency
medium
Autonomy
high
Team size
small (2-5)

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Red flags

PRO2 items
Broad scope spanning image, audio, video, animation, 3D, vector graphics, and on-device — may indicate understaffed or wide surface area for a single rolerequirements

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Interview insights

PRO
Rounds
5
Duration
4 wks
Difficulty
hard
Take-home
Yes

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Career path

PRO
Next roles
Staff Research EngineerPrincipal Research EngineerML Engineering Manager

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About the company

Adobe is the global leader in creative and digital experience software. Its products — including Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and Acrobat — are used by millions of creatives, marketers, and enterprises. Adobe also powers Experience Cloud, a suite of AI-driven marketing and analytics tools serving Fortune 100 companies.

HQSan Jose, CA, USA
Interview difficultyhard
Build vs Maintainboth
Cross-functionalYes