At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop cutting-edge Generative AI technology for Alexa using Large Language Models.
- Company: Join Amazon's innovative Alexa International Tech team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a startup mentality and excellent career advancement potential.
- Why this job: Make a global impact by enhancing how Alexa communicates across cultures and languages.
- Qualifications: PhD or Master's in relevant fields; programming skills in Java, C++, or Python.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
The Alexa International Tech (AIT) team is looking for a passionate, talented, and inventive Applied Scientist with a strong deep learning background, to build industry-leading Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) technology with Large Language Models (LLMs) and multimodal systems. As part of this team, you will have the opportunity to work on niche technology that powers Alexa for hundreds of millions of customers worldwide. You will push the boundaries of what's possible with generative AI, developing novel approaches to make Alexa sound more natural, expressive, and culturally relevant across multiple languages and locales.
This is a unique opportunity to combine fundamental research with large-scale production impact, working at the intersection of speech synthesis, large language models, and multimodal AI systems. As an Applied Scientist in the Alexa International Tech team within Alexa AI, you will work with talented peers to develop novel algorithms and modeling techniques to advance the state of the art in multi-modal models, with a focus on speech generation. You will leverage Amazon's heterogeneous data sources and large-scale computing resources to build machine learning models that deliver natural, expressive, and culturally appropriate speech experiences across multiple languages.
You will design and conduct experiments, prototype new approaches, and iterate rapidly to validate hypotheses. You will publish your findings at top-tier conferences and contribute to Amazon's intellectual property portfolio. You will collaborate closely with engineering teams to transition research prototypes into production systems that serve customers at scale. This role requires a pragmatic technical leader comfortable with ambiguity, capable of summarizing complex data and models through clear visual and written explanations. You will mentor junior scientists, influence technical direction, and communicate results effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
A day in the life: You will start your day reviewing experiment results and iterating on model architectures for speech generation. You will collaborate with software engineers to optimize model performance for production deployment, and partner with product managers to align research priorities with customer needs. You will participate in science reviews, paper reading groups, and brainstorming sessions with fellow scientists across the organization. Your work directly impacts how Alexa sounds and communicates with customers in international markets, making every day an opportunity to solve meaningful problems at global scale.
About The Team: The Alexa International Tech team is a global team with engineering teams in all 3 regions. Our vision is to build an Alexa assistant that is culturally relevant, linguistically fluent, and locally present. Our team operates with a startup mentality within Amazon, moving fast to deliver breakthrough experiences while maintaining the highest scientific rigor.
Basic Qualifications:
- PhD, or a Master's degree and experience in CS, CE, ML or related field
- Experience in patents or publications at top-tier peer-reviewed conferences or journals
- Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language
- Experience in any of the following areas: algorithms and data structures, parsing, numerical optimization, data mining, parallel and distributed computing, high-performance computing
- Experience in building machine learning models for business application
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience using Unix/Linux
- Experience in professional software development
Amazon is an equal opportunities employer. We believe passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We value your passion to discover, invent, simplify and build.
Protecting your privacy and the security of your data is a longstanding top priority for Amazon. Please consult our Privacy Notice to know more about how we collect, use and transfer the personal data of our candidates. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers.
If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit our website for more information.
Applied Scientist, Alexa International Tech in Cambridge employer: Amazon Science
Amazon Advertising is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation thrives and employee growth is paramount. As a Principal Applied Scientist in the Trusted Supply team, you will have the opportunity to lead cutting-edge research that directly impacts a multi-billion dollar business while collaborating with top-tier professionals in a culture that values diversity and scientific rigor. With access to vast resources and a commitment to employee development, Amazon provides a unique platform for meaningful contributions and career advancement in the fast-evolving field of computational advertising.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Applied Scientist, Alexa International Tech in Cambridge
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Amazon Science or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Amazon Science.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Amazon Science.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Amazon Science that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Applied Scientist, Alexa International Tech in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Amazon Science.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Amazon Science and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Amazon Science
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Amazon Science uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.