Research And Development Engineer Jobs in Menlo Park, CA

INTRODUCTION

Join us in building the future of finance. Our mission is to democratize finance for all. An estimated $124 trillion of assets will be inherited by younger generations in the next two decades. The largest transfer of wealth in human history. If you’re ready to be at the epicenter of this historic cultural and financial shift, keep reading.

ABOUT THE TEAM + ROLE

The AI Research & Development team is at the forefront of transforming Robinhood into a personalized, AI-native financial platform. We build and scale the applied machine learning systems that power Robinhood’s core product surfaces to ensure every user discovers the most relevant tools for their financial journey. Our work is mission-critical; we develop the foundation models that protect our users through advanced risk modeling and drive the company’s top priority of hyper-personalization. As the Senior Engineering Manager, AI R&D, you will lead a highly technical organization responsible for the full lifecycle of applied machine learning across a variety of business applications. This is a high-impact applied ML leadership role where you will lead a team responsible for personalization and risk models that directly affect millions of users’ financial outcomes. You will oversee the development of advanced modeling frameworks, foundation models, and transformer-based architecture designed to capture complex signals and drive intelligent predictions at scale. The work sits at the intersection of large-scale systems and high-stakes decisioning, where model quality directly translates to user trust and financial impact. This role requires an exceptional leader with a deep background in machine learning and a track record of guiding teams through the development of sophisticated architectures to deliver measurable product impact while maintaining the high standards of performance and security required for a large scale financial platform.

LOCATION

This role is based in our Menlo Park, CA or Bellevue, WA office, with in-person attendance expected 5 days per week. At Robinhood, we believe in the power of in-person work to accelerate progress, spark innovation, and strengthen community.

- Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing organization of engineers, managers, and applied ML specialists, providing technical guidance, regular feedback, and support for career growth.
- Guide model development and evaluation, ensuring AI applications are highly performant, secure, and ready to serve millions of customers.
- Partner cross-functionally with product, design, infrastructure, and other executive leaders to ensure AI platforms meet the complex needs of Robinhood’s diverse business lines.
- Establish clear engineering processes to ensure reliable delivery, code quality, and system scalability across multiple teams.

WHAT YOU BRING

- Proven engineering leadership experience, with a track record of supporting performance, hiring top talent, managing managers, and driving organizational development.
- Hands-on experience in Applied Machine Learning, specifically with productionizing applications that leverage LLMs and advanced models to build real-world products.
- Deep understanding of ML infrastructure, platforms, and the complexities of deploying AI safely and securely across an enterprise.
- An execution-focused mindset capable of translating complex business and product goals into clear technical milestones and organizational strategy.

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS

Our ambitious roadmap requires a great culture shaped by exceptional leaders. Here's what we expect from them:
- Drive high performance by setting clear, focused goals, giving real-time feedback, stretching top talent, and scaling impact through focus, innovation, and tech.
- Hire and retain top talent by setting a high bar, hiring only those who raise it, investing in onboarding, and addressing talent issues quickly and fairly.
- Create community by connecting work to purpose, removing friction while prioritizing safety, building trust and inclusion, and leading from the front with integrity.

COMPENSATION

In addition to the base pay range listed below, this role is also eligible for bonus opportunities + equity + benefits. Base pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands. The expected base pay range for this role is based on the location where the work will be performed. For other locations not listed, compensation can be discussed with your recruiter during the interview process.

Base Pay Range

Zone 1 (Menlo Park, CA; New York, NY; Bellevue, WA; Washington, DC) $298,000—$350,000 USD

Click here to learn more about our Total Rewards, which vary by region and entity. If our mission energizes you and you’re ready to build the future of finance, we look forward to seeing your application.

Robinhood provides equal opportunity for all applicants, offers reasonable accommodations upon request, and complies with applicable equal employment and privacy laws. Inclusion is built into how we hire and work—welcoming different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences so everyone can do their best. Please review the Privacy Policy for your country of application.