Sr Applied Scientist, Alexa Shopping

Senior • On-site

$150,400 - $260,000/yr

Seattle, WA , +1

DESCRIPTION

Join us in revolutionizing Alexa Shopping experiences through the power of advanced AI. We’re seeking a Senior Applied Scientist to drive innovation in voice-driven commerce and shape the future of Alexa+.

In this role, you will develop and implement innovative AI solutions that enhance shopping experiences across all Alexa endpoints. You will have the opportunity to work at the forefront of Generative AI and Agentic AI, collaborating closely with Alexa's science teams to integrate next-generation shopping features with Alexa+ customer experiences. This position offers significant impact and growth potential while working on problems at unprecedented scale, allowing you to present your work to senior leadership and influence key technical decisions that will shape the future of AI-driven retail.

Key job responsibilities
- Bridge the gap between research and production, translating innovative AI concepts into practical, customer-facing features.
- Lead the development of innovative AI/ML solutions for Alexa Shopping, taking ownership of critical scientific components that directly impact customer experiences.
- Design and implement state-of-the-art machine learning models, focusing on natural language processing, recommendation systems, and multi-modal interactions.
- Tackle complex technical challenges in voice-commerce, developing scalable and maintainable solutions that can serve millions of customers.
- Collaborate across teams to drive consensus on technical approaches and influence architectural decisions for Alexa Shopping features.
- Mentor junior scientists and engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and scientific excellence within the team.
- Contribute to the scientific community through technical documentation, research publications, and participation in conferences.
- Develop and implement novel evaluation metrics to measure the success of AI-driven shopping experiences.

About the team
The Alexa Shopping team is pioneering the future of voice-enabled commerce across all Alexa devices, including smart speakers, screens, the Alexa App, and Fire TV. We are at the forefront of integrating innovative Generative AI and LLMs to transform the entire shopping journey into a seamless voice and touch experience. Our mission spans the complete shopping lifecycle, from upper-funnel discovery and personalized recommendations to search optimization, purchasing, reordering, order tracking, and post-purchase support. We’re reinventing how customers discover and interact with millions of products through conversational AI, making shopping more intuitive, accessible, and delightful. As part of our team, you'll work alongside world-class scientists and engineers to shape the next generation of AI-driven shopping experiences that will impact millions of customers globally.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- PhD, or Master's degree and 5+ years of applied research experience
- 5+ years of building machine learning models for business application experience
- Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
- Proven track record of solving complex technical problems with innovative, data-driven solutions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience mentoring junior team members and contributing to their professional development.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Hands-on experience working with LLMs and Generative AI applications in commercial settings.
- Strong software engineering practices and system design skills, with experience in building scalable, distributed systems.
- Experience with A/B testing and experimental design, and Amazon-specific technologies.
- Expertise in conversational AI systems and natural language understanding, particularly in e-commerce contexts.
- Demonstrated ability to drive technical initiatives from conception to production, balancing research objectives with business needs.
- Experience with personalization techniques and recommendation systems in e-commerce applications.
- Publication record in top-tier ML/AI conferences or journals, demonstrating contributions to the field.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $150,400/year in our lowest geographic market up to $260,000/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits. This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.

Amazon

Amazon.com, Inc. founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos in the cozy confines of his Seattle garage, Amazon.com, Inc. quickly evolved from a humble online bookstore to a colossal e-commerce powerhouse. Today, it offers an extensive range of products from DVDs and electronics to furniture and groceries. With a global footprint that spans continents—from Canada and the UK to Japan and Brazil—Amazon's presence is truly international. The company has not only diversified into various domains, including acquiring Twitch in 2014 and venturing into the film industry in 2015, but also introduced initiatives like the brand registry program to safeguard intellectual property. Despite the hurdles of labor relations and competitive practices, Amazon remains a dominant force in the global e-commerce landscape.