Staff AI/ML Engineer

Staff AI/ML EngineerThe Staff AI/ML Engineer role at Crocs Inc. is a technical leadership position within the Global Information Technology team. This role is crucial to ensuring the design, rapid prototyping, building and deployment of AI & ML applications across Crocs Inc. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in building and deploying large scale AI & ML applications within commercial/enterprise settings. The candidate will also have versatile experience working with classical AI/ML, deep learning frameworks, as well as GenAI (foundation & domain models). They will focus on critical imperatives driving our business growth. This role is essential in ensuring the successful delivery of high value AI/ML use cases with material business/enterprise impact.What You'll DoThought Leadership: Operate as a trusted technical expert within Crocs Inc. on AI/ML technology and applications, including AI/ML embedded in SaaS or other 3rd party software.Architectural Leadership: Lead the architecture and design of AI/ML applications and AI/ML components integrated into other enterprise applications.Application Development: Hands-on development of rapid prototypes, as well as scaled AI/ML applications, ensuring the technology systems are scalable, reliable and built for growth.Collaboration: Work closely with multi-functional teams including IT and various business teams to identify, refine and prioritize high impact AI/ML use cases across the enterprise.Communicate to Multiple Levels: Develop architecture and process diagrams and communicate in ways that can be consumed by different levels of the organization with varying degrees of detail to ensure alignment up and down with the same understanding.Documentation: Develop and maintain solution architectural documentation that describes current and future technology state, including data flow diagrams, system architecture diagrams, and technical specifications.International Outlook: Design and implement scalable solutions that support both US and international operations. Collaborate with multi-functional teams to understand and address regional needs and challenges.Global Compliance and Standards: Ensure all systems and processes adhere to global industry standards and regulatory requirements, particularly concerning data security and privacy.Mentorship: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior team members, including external vendor resources, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.Risk Mitigation: Identify and mitigate risks across the end-to-end solution where subject matter expertise requiredRelationship Management: Develop strong relationships with regional leaders, external partners, and vendors.What You'll Bring to the Table7+ years of experience with a bachelor's OR 5+ years of experience with a master's OR 2+ years of experience with a PhD. Professional experience in AI or machine learning roles, which may include AI/ML software engineering roles.Proven experience in designing, implementing and deploying scaled AI/ML enterprise applications, with functional applications in some of the following: AI assistants & custom GPTs, demand forecasting, supply chain optimization, white space & assortment optimization, macro-space optimization, pricing, promotions & markdown optimization, NLP & NLU, product recommendation, targeted marketing & personalization, simulations, labor forecasting & staffing optimization, routing & network optimization, intelligent automation & decisioning, etc.Bachelor's or graduate (master's or PhD) degree in a quantitative discipline (e.g., Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Operations Research, etc.)Expertise in AI/ML algorithms including deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, etc.)Deep expertise in Python. Additional programming languages (such as Spark, Rust, etc.) a plusStrong knowledge of large language models, GenAI, and RAG frameworksFamiliarity with retail or apparel business is a plusExcellent problem-solving skills with a strategic attitudeAbility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple priorities.Exposure to AI ethics and compliant use of dataEffective communication skills to provide complex technical information to both technical and non-technical personnelAbility to partner with suppliers, business customers, and IT staff on multi-functional projects and service improvementsSkills and proven ability to analyze complex problems and break them down into logical, actionable partsExcellent analytical skillsThe Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability, or any other classification protected by law.