Software Engineer - Machine Learning

Figma is seeking a versatile and experienced Machine Learning / AI Engineer to join our growing AI team working at the intersection of applied machine learning infrastructure and product innovation. Whether you’re building intelligent search systems crafting scalable data pipelines or enhancing AI-powered creativity tools your work will drive user productivity shape new product experiences and advance the state of AI at Figma.

You’ll collaborate closely with engineers researchers designers and product managers across multiple teams to deliver high-quality ML-driven features and infrastructure. This is a high-impact cross-functional role where you’ll shape both foundational systems and user-facing capabilities.

This is a full time role that can be held from one of our US hubs or remotely in the United States.

What you’ll do at Figma:

• Design build and productionize ML models for Search Discovery Ranking Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and generative AI features.

• Build and maintain scalable data pipelines to collect high-quality training and evaluation datasets including annotation systems and human-in-the-loop workflows.

• Collaborate with AI researchers to iterate on datasets evaluation metrics and model architectures to improve quality and relevance.

• Work with product engineers to define and deliver impactful AI features across Figma’s platform.

• Partner with infrastructure engineers to develop and optimize systems for training inference monitoring and deployment.

• Explore new ideas at the edge of what’s technically possible and help shape the long-term AI vision at Figma.

We’d love to hear from you If you have:

• 5+ years of industry experience in software engineering with 3+ years focused on applied machine learning or AI.

• Strong experience with end-to-end ML model development including training evaluation deployment and monitoring.

• Proficiency in Python and familiarity with ML libraries like PyTorch TensorFlow Scikit-learn Spark MLlib or XGBoost.

• Experience designing and building scalable data and annotation pipelines as well as evaluation systems for AI model quality.

• Experience mentoring or leading others and contributing to a culture of technical excellence and innovation.

While not required It’s an added plus if you also have:

• Familiarity with search relevance ranking NLP or RAG systems.

• Experience with AI infrastructure and MLOps including observability CI/CD and automation for ML workflows.

• Experience working on creative or design-focused ML applications.

• Knowledge of additional languages such as C++ or Go is a plus but not required.

• A product mindset with the ability to tie technical work to user outcomes and business impact.

• Strong collaboration and communication skills especially when working across functions (engineering product research).

At Figma one of our values is Grow as you go. We believe in hiring smart curious people who are excited to learn and develop their skills. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the points outlined in the job description we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Pay Transparency Disclosure

If based in Figma’s San Francisco or New York hub offices this role has the annual base salary range stated below.

Job level and actual compensation will be decided based on factors including but not limited to individual qualifications objectively assessed during the interview process (including skills and prior relevant experience potential impact and scope of role) market demands and specific work location. The listed range is a guideline and the range for this role may be modified. For roles that are available to be filled remotely the pay range is localized according to employee work location by a factor of between 80% and 100% of range. Please discuss your specific work location with your recruiter for more information.

Figma offers equity to employees as well a competitive package of additional benefits including health dental & vision retirement with company contribution parental leave & reproductive or family planning support mental health & wellness benefits generous PTO company recharge days a learning & development stipend a work from home stipend and cell phone reimbursement.  Figma also offers sales incentive pay for most sales roles and an annual bonus plan for eligible non-sales roles. Figma’s compensation and benefits are subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Annual Base Salary Range (SF/NY Hub):

$149000—$350000 USD