Samsung ElectronicsSenior Machine Learning Engineer, Defect Quality & Systems
Samsung Electronics is hiring a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Defect Quality & Systems. It pays $106k-$145k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Level.
AI in this role
About Samsung Austin Semiconductor
Samsung is a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, founded on the belief that the pursuit of excellence creates a better world. At Samsung Austin Semiconductor, we are Innovating Today to Power the Devices of Tomorrow.
Come innovate with us!
Position Summary
We are seeking a Senior Machine Learning Engineer to serve as a technical lead within the Defect Engineering Systems group. In this critical role, you will drive the strategy for our in-house ML models, directly impacting the company's ability to detect and classify critical defects in real-time. You will be responsible for the entire ML lifecycle—from collaborating with module owners to define classification logic, to architecting scalable vision models that operate within our high-throughput, 24/7 manufacturing environment. As a senior member of a small, high-performing team, you will not only develop cutting-edge models but also mentor junior engineers and establish the best practices for model deployment, validation, and maintenance.Role and Responsibilities
Here’s What You’ll Be Responsible For:
- Architect Advanced ML Solutions: Lead the design and implementation of sophisticated ML models focused on defect detection and classification, optimizing for maximum accuracy, throughput, and minimal time-to-detection.
- Drive Domain Alignment: Partner with expert module owners to translate complex physical defect characteristics into mathematical modeling proposals and rigorous classification frameworks.
- Innovate via Research: Spearhead the transition from theory to production by identifying emerging AI research and whitepapers, adapting new architectures to solve unique semiconductor manufacturing challenges.
- Optimize the ML Pipeline: Enhance model performance through advanced feature engineering, hyperparameter tuning, and the implementation of modern vision architectures (CNNs, Object Detection, etc.).
- Ensure Operational Scalability: Develop and maintain models that are robust enough for a 24/7 production environment, ensuring seamless integration and high reliability.
- Mentor & Lead: Set the standard for codebase quality and design principles within the group, providing technical mentorship to junior engineers and conducting rigorous code reviews.
Skills and Qualifications
Here's what you'll need:
- Education: BS or MS in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics or related STEM/Engineering degree
- Experience: 5+ years relevant experience
- Semiconductor industry highly preferred
- Expertise in ML Frameworks: Mastery of open-source frameworks (TensorFlow 2.x, PyTorch) with a proven track record of deploying models into production environments.
- Systems Proficiency: High comfort level with command-line interfaces and Linux environments (Ubuntu), with an understanding of how to optimize models for hardware performance.
- Strategic Communication: Ability to synthesize complex ML metrics into actionable business insights for a broad range of audiences, from fellow engineers to site leadership.
- Execution Excellence: A history of managing complex technical projects from conception to delivery while adhering to strict deadlines and software design principles.
The current base salary range for this role is between $106,000 - $145,000. Individual base pay rates will depend on factors including duties, work location, education, skills, qualifications and experience. Total compensation for this position will include a competitive benefits package and may include participation in company incentive compensation programs, which are based on factors to include organizational and individual performance.
Total Rewards
At Samsung Austin Semiconductor, base pay is just one part of our total compensation package. The base compensation for this role will depend on education, experience, skills, and location.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance and 401(k) matching with immediate vesting
- Onsite café(s) and workout facilities
- Paid maternity and paternity leave
- Paid time off (PTO) + 2 personal holidays and 10 regular holidays
- Wellness incentives and MORE
Eligible full-time employees (salaried or hourly) may also receive MBO bonuses based on company, division, and individual performance.
All positions at Samsung Austin Semiconductor are full-time on-site.
Trade Secrets
By submitting an application, you agree not to disclose to Samsung or induce or encourage Samsung to use any confidential or proprietary information (including trade secrets) belonging to a current or former employer or other entity.
* Please visit Samsung membership to see Privacy Policy, which defaults according to your location. You can change Country/Language at the bottom of the page. If you are European Economic Resident, please click here.
* Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and its subsidiaries are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
How we rate this
Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Defect Quality & Systems at Samsung Electronics rates 87 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Builds AI (AI Level 4 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Builds AI. The job is building AI systems.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Open the description and count.
Prepare for this job
Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Also common in machine learning engineer jobs at this level
Pay
- This job starts at
- $106k
- Typical machine learning engineer job
- $199k
This posting starts 47% below the typical machine learning engineer job. See machine learning engineer jobs
Questions you could be asked
- Walk me through a computer vision problem you solved, from raw data to a deployed model.
- Tell me about a research question you investigated. What did you find?
- What are the limits of PyTorch that you've run into, and how did you work around them?
- What's a project where you used TensorFlow hands-on?
- How would you decide a model or AI system is ready to ship?
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: Computer vision, AI Research, PyTorch, and TensorFlow. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
- Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
- Lead with what you built, trained or shipped. This role is judged on the AI system itself, not the tools around it.
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