Entry level AI/ML Engineer: SVL

Introduction

IBM Automation and AI group is seeking an entry level AI/ML Engineer specializing in machine learning and Large Language Models (LLMs) to join our AI/ML Center of Excellence team at the IBM Silicon Valley Lab location. In this role, you will collaborate with cross-functional product teams to implement cutting-edge AI/ML capabilities across IBM's Automation product portfolio. You will lead efforts in data collection for LLM training and evaluation, integrate LLM technologies into existing and new products, and establish best practices for AI/ML feature implementation by product teams.

Your role and responsibilities

Data Collection and Management for LLM Evaluation and Training

• Design and implement robust data collection pipelines for diverse LLM training datasets leveraging the IBM AI Model & Data Catalog.
• Develop data quality assessment frameworks to ensure training data meets IBM's high standards
• Create annotation guidelines and workflows for specialized domain-specific datasets
• Implement data governance protocols that ensure compliance with privacy regulations and ethical AI principles following the IBM Data & Model Governance process and tooling.
• Establish evaluation datasets and benchmarks to measure LLM performance across various use cases leveraging FM-Eval and Unitxt.

LLM Integration and Implementation

• Architect solutions to integrate LLMs with IBM's existing and emerging products and ecosystem
• Develop APIs and interfaces that enable seamless interaction between LLMs and other software components
• Optimize LLM deployment for various computing environments (cloud, edge, on-premises)
• Implement techniques for model compression, quantization, and optimization to improve inference efficiency and minimize resource requirements
• Design and implement prompt engineering frameworks for consistent LLM behavior across products

AI/ML Best Practices and Innovation

• Establish technical standards and best practices for AI/ML feature implementation
• Create reusable components and design patterns for common LLM use cases
• Develop monitoring systems to track model performance, drift, and potential biases
• Research and implement techniques for responsible AI, including explainability and fairness
• Collaborate with product teams to identify opportunities for AI-driven innovation

Required education

High School Diploma/GED

Preferred education

Bachelor's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• Bachelor's or master's degree or higher in Computer Science, Machine Learning, AI, or related technical field
• Less than one year of experience in machine learning engineering or data science roles
• Demonstrated knowledge of NLP and large language models (e.g., transformer architectures) including model evaluation and algorithm design.
• Strong programming skills in Python and familiarity with ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX)
• Experience with data processing pipelines and working with large datasets
• Knowledge of MLOps practices and tools for model deployment and monitoring
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across diverse teams.
• Strong communication skills to explain complex AI concepts to diverse audiences
• Problem-solving mindset with ability to navigate technical and business constraints

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Experience with fine-tuning and prompt engineering for LLMs
• Deep understanding of transformer architectures and attention mechanisms
• Proficiency in vector databases and embedding technologies
• Knowledge of model serving frameworks (TensorRT, ONNX, TorchServe)
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (IBM Cloud, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform)
• Commitment to continuous learning in the rapidly evolving field of AI

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Software infuses core business operations with intelligence-from machine learning to generative AI-to help make organizations more responsive, productive, and resilient. IBM Software helps clients put AI into action now to create real value with trust, speed, and confidence across digital labor, IT automation, application modernization, security, and sustainability. Critical to this is the ability to make use of all data, because AI is only as good as the data that fuels it. In most organizations data is spread across multiple clouds, on premises, in private datacenters, and at the edge. IBM's AI and data platform scales and accelerates the impact of AI with trusted data, and provides leading capabilities to train, tune and deploy AI across business. IBM's hybrid cloud platform is one of the most comprehensive and consistent approach to development, security, and operations across hybrid environments-a flexible foundation for leveraging data, wherever it resides, to extend AI deep into a business.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you'll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you'll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM's greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we're also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it's time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being

- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs

- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law

- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals

- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.