ML Software Engineer

We are no longer hiring for this position.

Start date: January, 2022 (flexible)
Length of engagement: One year, with the possibility of extension
Time commitment: Full time, ~40 hours/week
Compensation: Based on experience; $140,000 - $210,000
Work location: Remote. Preference may be given to candidates who can meet in person in Amherst, MA once/week.
Reports to: Sawyer Bernath (but you will mostly be communicating with Prof. Philip Thomas)
Application: at the bottom of this page

BERI is seeking a full-time machine learning software engineer as part of our collaboration with the Autonomous Learning Laboratory at UMass Amherst. As the lead developer on the project, this person will have significant independence and autonomy.

We’ve secured funding for this position for at least one year, which we believe will be enough time to implement the core functionality. Extensions will depend on our ability to secure more funding during the first year of work.

Purpose

Prof. Philip Thomas and his collaborators have designed a general and flexible framework for a new kind of machine learning algorithm called a Seldonian algorithm, which clarifies the three-way relationship between ML system designers, users, and the ML systems themselves. In particular, the Seldonian framework simplifies the problem of specifying and regulating undesirable behavior by involving end-users in the specification and oversight of system safety parameters. A high-level description of the Seldonian framework can be found here; the full Science paper can be found here.

We want to hire a software developer to create a software library that makes it easier for researchers and practitioners to apply and create Seldonian algorithms. This library would facilitate and advance academic research on safe machine learning and would provide a practical tool for corporations to responsibly apply machine learning to high-risk high-reward applications. The end goal is to get more safety constraints built into ML systems.

Responsibilities

  • Plan, design, and code a software library (or set of related libraries) that can be used by other software developers to more easily implement Seldonian algorithms in their projects.
  • Deeply familiarize yourself with the existing literature on Seldonian algorithms
  • Collaborate closely with Prof. Thomas and his collaborators on all aspects of the development process, from the discussion of high-level strategic goals (e.g. what programming language to use) to the design and implementation of individual library features

Qualifications

  • 3-7 years of relevant experience
  • Deep knowledge of Python or C++
    • We expect the framework to be developed in Python or C++, and in either case to be callable from other common ML languages.
    • However we are open to using other languages, with a priority being placed on modularity and efficiency.
  • Broad familiarity with commonly-used machine learning algorithms
  • Experience leading and owning a software development project from beginning to end
  • Excellent technical communication skills, the ability to elaborate complex technical concepts and collaborate effectively with fellow engineers and researchers
  • Prior research or research engineering experience

If you feel you do not meet these qualifications but are still interested in applying, please err on the side of applying anyway.

Benefits

  • Become a world-leading expert on the practical implementation of Seldonian algorithms, encouraging the development and deployment of safer ML systems.
  • More independence and autonomy than you’d have at a big tech company
  • Time-off (paid vacation, holidays, sick, bereavement, and parental leave)
  • Platinum health, dental, and vision insurance (98% of employee premiums covered by BERI)
  • Life and short-term/long-term disability insurances (100% of employee premiums covered by BERI)
  • Very flexible work schedule including hours, location, and unpaid vacation policies

BERI is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Our mission to improve human civilization’s long-term prospects for survival and flourishing is in service of all of humanity, and is incompatible with unfair discrimination practices that would pit factions of humanity against one another. We do not discriminate against qualified employees or applicants based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, sexual preference, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law or local ordinance. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.