CookUnity
Senior Machine Learning Scientist, Recommendation and Search Systems
Job Summary
This role involves designing and deploying advanced recommendation and search machine learning models, utilizing techniques such as deep learning and reinforcement learning. The candidate should have extensive experience in building scalable ML systems, with expertise in personalized algorithms and cloud-based deployment. The position requires collaboration with cross-functional teams and leadership within the machine learning community at CookUnity. The focus is on innovation in search and recommendation architectures to enhance user experience and support company growth.
Required Skills
Benefits
Job Description
Food has lost its soul to modern convenience. And with it, has lost the power to nourish, inspire, and connect us. So in 2018, CookUnity was founded as the first-of-its-kind platform that connects the world with the source of truly great food: chefs. Today, CookUnity delivers 35 million meals a year from the industry’s best chefs to homes all over the country. Fresh. Ready-to-eat. And crafted with the passion that nourishes body and soul.
Unwilling to stop there, CookUnity is expanding beyond delivery to become an ever-innovating marketplace focused on our singular mission: empower Chefs to nourish the world.
If that mission has you hungry in more ways than one, you’ve found the right job posting.
The Role:
We are seeking an experienced Senior Machine Learning Scientist specializing in Recommendation and Search Systems to drive innovation and enhance our search and recommendation models. In this role, you will work on cutting-edge machine learning algorithms, develop scalable search and recommendation architectures, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver personalized and relevant experiences to our users.
Responsibilities:
- Architect, design, develop, and deploy the Machine Learning models that will serve real-time recommendations or search.
- Research and implement state-of-the-art machine learning techniques such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, and collaborative filtering for recommendations and search ranking.
- Be a leader in the Machine Learning community within CookUnity and work collaboratively across engineering and product teams.
- Develop search ranking algorithms, query understanding, and relevance models to improve search experience.
- Hands-on expertise with implementing end-to-end production ML systems at scale.
- Collaborate with engineering, product, and data science teams to integrate models into production environments.
- Act as an ambassador for AI within the organization, advocating for its adoption and showcasing its potential impact.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred.
- 5+ years of industry experience in building and deploying recommendation and search systems at scale.
- Strong background in machine learning with experience and expertise in personalized machine learning algorithms, especially recommender and search systems.
- Practical real-world experience with building scalable recommendations and search.
- Knowledge of generative artificial intelligence applied to recommendation and search.
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement effective machine learning systems.
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Kotlin or similar language.
- Hands-on experience with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, or similar.
- Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and MLOps best practices.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a clear understanding of algorithmic design.
- Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Preferred requirements:
- Experience in the food technology sector is a plus.
- Experience working with Generative AI and its applications in personalization or search.
- Contributions to research or publications in areas such as graph-based modeling, recommendation systems, customer retention (e.g., churn prediction), or lifetime value estimation.
- Experience with Graph AI algorithms and network discovery techniques, including analyzing complex relationships and patterns within data networks.
Where You'll Be:
- We offer you the flexibility to work where you work best!
- This team operates within the Eastern Standard time zone for collaboration.
Benefits:
🩺Health Insurance coverage.
⛱ Unlimited PTO policy.
📈 We grow, you grow: Stock Options Plan granted on Day 1.
🌅 401k Plan.
🐣 Paid family leave.
🕯 Compassionate Leave: 3-5 days each time the need arises.
🥘 A generous amount of CookUnity credits to enjoy our amazing meals, added to your account, monthly.
🧘🏽♀️ Wellness perks: access to a nutritional coach and fitness subsidies to build a healthy lifestyle.
👩🏾🏫 Personalized Spanish coach.
🌟 Awesome opportunity to join a company that is looking to change how we eat and how chefs work!
🗓️ 5- year Sabbatical: After 5 years with CookUnity, you get a 4-week paid sabbatical.
#LI-Hybrid
Learn More About CookUnity
We believe great leadership starts with alignment on vision, values, and ways of working. To give you deeper insight into who we are and what we’re looking for, we invite you to explore: CookUnity's Leadership Principles – The values and behaviors that guide how we operate, collaborate, and scale.
We hope this provides valuable insight into our culture and product vision. If this excites you, we’d love to connect!
Compensation
All final pay rates will be determined by candidates experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.
If you’re interested in this role, please submit your application and if we think you might be a fit, we'll get in touch with you. Thank you for your time!
CookUnity is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are dedicated to creating a community of inclusion and an environment free from discrimination or harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or physical or mental disability.
CookUnity
America's #1 chef-crafted meal delivery—perfect for healthy eating, weight loss, GLP-1 balanced meals, or delicious food. Get 50% off your first week—order now!
See more jobsSafe Remote Job Search Tips
Verify Employer Thoroughly
Research the company's identity thoroughly before applying. Check for a professional website with contacts, active social media, and LinkedIn profiles. Verify details across platforms and look for reviews on Glassdoor or Trustpilot to confirm legitimacy.
Never Pay to Get a Job
Legitimate employers never require payment for applications, training, background checks, or equipment. Always reject upfront payment requests or demands for bank details, even if they claim it's for purchasing necessary work gear on your behalf.
Safeguard Your Personal Information
Protect sensitive data like SSN, bank details, or ID copies. Share this only after accepting a formal, written job offer. Ensure it's submitted via a secure company system or portal, never through insecure channels like standard email attachments.
Scrutinize Communication & Interviews
Watch for communication red flags: poor grammar, generic emails (@gmail), vague details, or undue pressure. Be highly suspicious of interviews held only via text or chat apps; legitimate companies typically use video or phone calls.
Beware of Unrealistic Offers
If an offer's salary or benefits seem unrealistically high for the work involved, be cautious. Research standard pay for similar roles. Offers that appear 'too good to be true' are often scams designed to lure you into providing information or payment.
Insist on a Formal Contract
Always secure and review a formal, written job offer or employment contract before starting work or sharing final personal details. Ensure it clearly defines your role, compensation, key terms, and conditions to avoid misunderstandings or scams.