Principal Machine Learning Engineer

📋 Job Overview

Ibotta is seeking a Principal Machine Learning Engineer to join our Core Data & Analytics team and contribute to our mission to Make Every Purchase Rewarding. We’re looking for someone who has a passion for building scalable machine learning solutions using technologies and tools such as Python, Spark, Databricks, AWS, Sagemaker, etc. As a Principal Machine Learning Engineer, you will act as a technical leader and delivery owner for complex, high-impact ML initiatives spanning foundation models, data systems, and large-scale ML platforms. This role will immediately define ML strategy and drive impact through the support, guidance, and collaboration with multiple teams as part of our analytics organization. You’ll advance your technical leadership skills by establishing best practices for the team and company, while mentoring other Machine Learning Engineers and Data Scientists on the team.

🏢 About Ibotta (\"I bought a...\")

Ibotta (NYSE: IBTA) is a leading performance marketing platform allowing brands to deliver digital promotions to over 200 million consumers through a network of publishers called the Ibotta Performance Network (IPN). The IPN allows marketers to influence what people buy, and where and how often they shop – all while paying only when their campaigns directly result in a sale. American shoppers have earned over $2.6 billion through the IPN since 2012. The largest tech IPO in history to come out of Colorado, Ibotta is headquartered in Denver, and is continually listed as a top place to work by The Denver Post and Inc. Magazine.

🎯 The Role

This position is available in multiple locations:

• Denver, Colorado - if you are in or willing to relocate to the Denver area, this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days in office (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).
• Remote options are available for the following states - AZ, AR, CA, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI.

Not based in one of these areas? We will offer a relocation bonus to help make your move to the Mile High City a smooth one.

✅ Key Responsibilities

• Research, design, and deploy the next generation of Ibotta's ML architectures, workflows, and standards that seamlessly integrate with key product features across the organization.
• Work with Ibotta architecture and Machine Learning Platform teams to ensure integration of machine learning services and pipelines in larger technology infrastructure.
• Be the leading contributor, voice, and thought leader in a growing community of machine learning practitioners.
• Identify, research, prototype and evaluate cutting edge big data and machine learning technologies.
• Act as a liaison between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders to communicate complex concepts clearly.
• Lead the design, development, and deployment of production-grade ML systems across the organization.
• Communicate complex machine learning solutions, concepts and the results of analyses in a clear and effective manner to business stakeholders and technology leaders to maximize the effectiveness of machine learning initiatives.
• Mentor ML Engineers and Data Scientists, fostering a culture of technical ownership, rigorous experimentation, and best practices.

📌 Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional industry experience as a Machine Learning Engineer or Software Engineer, focused on deploying machine learning systems at scale.
• Advanced knowledge of multiple ML frameworks like: Sklearn, TensorFlow, Sagemaker, Spark ML.
• Expertise working with distributed big-data tools and event-based architectures, ideally Spark and Kafka.
• Deep hands-on experience prototyping, building, releasing, and monitoring mission-critical machine learning models in high traffic applications.
• Extensive experience working within a cloud-based infrastructure, ideally AWS.
• Experience driving org-wide ML strategy or setting technical standards across teams.
• Track record of mentoring senior engineers or leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Comfort operating with ambiguity and influencing without direct authority.

🎁 Benefits

This position is located in Denver, CO and includes competitive pay, flexible time off, benefits package (including medical, dental, vision), Lifestyle Spending Account, Employee Stock Purchase Program, and 401k match. Denver office perks include paid parking, snacks, and occasional meals.

🛂 Visa & Eligibility

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.