Senior Applied Research

Who we are

At Twilio, we're shaping the future of communications, all from the comfort of our homes. We deliver innovative solutions to hundreds of thousands of businesses and empower millions of developers worldwide to craft personalized customer experiences.

Our dedication to remote-first work , and strong culture of connection and global inclusion means that no matter your location, you're part of a vibrant team with diverse experiences making a global impact each day. As we continue to revolutionize how the world interacts, we're acquiring new skills and experiences that make work feel truly rewarding. Your career at Twilio is in your hands.

See yourself at Twilio

Join the team as our next Principal Machine Learning Researcher on Twilio's Emerging Technology & Innovation organization.

About the job

This position is needed to lead horizon 3 research projects which are looking to understand and in some cases predict the future that will exist based on technological advances across AI / ML, AGI, quantum computing, blockchain and more. You will lead and conduct original research in these domains, focusing on solving complex business challenges and discovering new opportunities.

Twilio's ETI organization is focused on exploring the future of customer engagement through research and experimentation. We dream big, are customer obsessed, and iterative in our discovery approach.

As a Principal Applied Researcher, you will be responsible for leading research projects, experimenting with proof of concepts, and staying on the cutting edge of "what if". There are many exciting challenges ahead of us and we are looking for a researcher who is comfortable with ambiguity, has a proven track record for delivering results, and has experience with the emerging technologies of AI, LLMs, and a passion for keeping up with their latest developments.

Responsibilities

In this role, you'll :

• Help define what the future looks like based on technological trends, draw implications for opportunities and challenges for Twilio based on that future
• Analyze the latest AI / ML trends, techniques, and literature; summarize and translate findings into actionable recommendations for stakeholders across engineering, product, and business teams
• Where relevant, evaluate, design, and prototype novel algorithms, models, and architectures for real-world applications (e.g., NLP, computer vision, recommender systems, generative models, etc.)
• Where relevant, deconstruct existing software / tools, to better understand source of distinction from a technical standpoint
• Benchmark solutions against state-of-the-art approaches, leveraging appropriate datasets, metrics, and evaluation methodologies
• Author and present clear, comprehensive technical reports, publications, and presentations for both technical and business audiences.
• Mentor and guide junior researchers and data scientists; foster a culture of technical excellence, curiosity, and rapid learning

Qualifications

Twilio values diverse experiences from all kinds of industries, and we encourage everyone who meets the required qualifications to apply. If your career is just starting or hasn't followed a traditional path, don't let that stop you from considering Twilio. We are always looking for people who will bring something new to the table!

Required :

Desired :

Location

This role will be remote, but is not eligible to be hired in San Francisco, CA, Oakland, CA, San Jose, CA, or the surrounding areas.

Travel

We prioritize connection and opportunities to build relationships with our customers and each other. For this role, you may be required to travel occasionally to participate in project or team in-person meetings.

What We Offer

There are many benefits to working at Twilio, including, in addition to competitive pay, things like generous time-off, ample parental and wellness leave, healthcare, a retirement savings program, and much more. Offerings vary by location.

Compensation

The estimated pay ranges for this role are as follows :

The successful candidate's starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location within the state.

Applications for this role are intended to be accepted until 10 / 31 / 25 but may change based on business needs.

Twilio thinks big. Do you?

We like to solve problems, take initiative, pitch in when needed, and are always up for trying new things. That's why we seek out colleagues who embody our values - something we call Twilio Magic . Additionally, we empower employees to build positive change in their communities by supporting their volunteering and donation efforts.

So, if you're ready to unleash your full potential, do your best work, and be the best version of yourself, apply now! If this role isn't what you're looking for, please consider other open positions.

Twilio is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Additionally, Twilio participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law.