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Staff Research Engineer

GitHub· Machine learning & AI
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Hybrid (United States)$140.4k - $372.3kFull-timePosted 3mo ago

About the role

Senior, research-oriented engineering role within GitHub Next focused on exploring the future of software development through rapid prototyping and AI-enabled solutions. Not an academic research position; emphasizes building working prototypes, product-market validation, and end-to-end AI development lifecycle within a startup-like team at GitHub.

Responsibilities

  • Problem Framing and Solution Implementation: turn ambitious ideas into reliable prototypes, scope bets, and deliver value quickly.
  • Data Preparation and Feature Identification: read source code, learn new stacks, identify data, signals, and features to support prototypes.
  • Coordination: collaborate to determine work, split responsibilities, and drive projects forward; apply research approaches to leverage existing solutions and bring new tech into production.
  • Providing Consultation & Expertise: build collaborative relationships, provide expert consultation on AI feasibility across the organization.
  • Product and Strategy: assess feasibility, build small prototypes, participate in end-to-end AI lifecycle (researching, prototyping, MVP, product, iterations, maintenance) and guide less experienced team members.

Qualifications

  • 8+ years experience in software development, applied science, machine learning, or related field
  • OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Software Development, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, or related field AND 6+ years experience in software development, applied science, machine learning, or related field
  • OR Master's Degree in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Software Development, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, or related field AND 4+ years experience in software development, applied science, machine learning, or related field
  • OR Doctorate in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Software Development, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, or related field AND 2+ years experience in software development, applied science, machine learning, or related field
  • OR equivalent experience.
  • Experience creating rapid prototypes that demonstrate a concept to stakeholders and enable decision making.
  • Experience identifying and justifying research goals in situations of ambiguity and executing towards those goals without explicit direction.

Skills

Required:PrototypingAmbiguity-driven researchCross-functional collaborationEnd-to-end AI development lifecycle
Nice to have:Open-source/community understanding

Benefits

  • At GitHub certain roles are eligible for benefits and additional rewards, including annual bonus and stock. These rewards are allocated based on individual impact in role. In addition, certain roles also have the opportunity to earn sales incentives based on revenue or utilization, depending on the terms of the plan and the employee's role.
Last updated Jul 2, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

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