Principal, Applied Scientist

WHAT YOU’LL DO Viant’s Machine Learning team is at the forefront of transforming the Ad Tech industry through cutting-edge machine learning and AI-driven automation. By eliminating manual processes in digital ad creation, optimization, and measurement, we build autonomous, scalable systems that process hundreds of millions of events daily.We are seeking an exceptional Principal Applied Scientist to drive groundbreaking innovation in applied machine learning. In this role, you will lead end-to-end AI strategy, shape the applied science roadmap, and develop next-generation models in NLP, deep learning, and large-scale AI systems. Your expertise will push the boundaries of AI capabilities, delivering measurable business impact while fostering a research-driven, data-centric culture at Viant.

THE DAY-TO-DAY

• Lead and Define AI Strategy – Set the vision for applied ML research and AI-driven decision-making across Viant’s products and services.
• Drive High-Impact Research – Conduct advanced research in NLP, RL, LLMs, and deep learning, publishing in top-tier conferences while applying findings to real-world production systems.
• Architect and Deploy ML at Scale – Develop, optimize, and deploy high-throughput, low-latency ML models, collaborating with engineers to bring solutions into production.
• Innovate in Generative AI & Causal ML – Explore novel AI techniques, such as LLMs, reinforcement learning, and causal inference, to enhance targeting, personalization, and attribution models.
• Experimentation and Validation – Design, run, and analyze A / B experiments to test ML-driven strategies, ensuring data-driven decision-making.
• Mentor and Influence – Provide technical leadership for a team of applied scientists and ML engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

MUST HAVE

GREAT TO HAVE

220,000 - $260,000 a yearIn accordance with California law, the range provided is Viant’s reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. Final title and compensation for the position will be based on several factors including work experience and education.Not the right position for you? Check out our other opportunities! #LI-KP1