Staff AI/ML Engineer
Broomfield, CO, US, 80021
At Crocs, Inc., every career offers a chance to make a real impact. No two journeys look the same. And that's exactly how we like it. Whether you’re welcoming customers into our stores, collaborating with global teams at our headquarters, or keeping operations moving at our distribution centers, your impact is real and valued. At Crocs, Inc. you’re not expected to fit a mold. You’re encouraged to break it and create something better.
Overview
The Staff AI/ML Engineer role at Crocs Inc. is a technical leadership position within the Global Information Technology team. This role is crucial to ensuring the design, rapid prototyping, building and deployment of AI & ML applications across Crocs Inc. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in building and deploying large scale AI & ML applications within commercial/enterprise settings. The candidate will also have versatile experience working with classical AI/ML, deep learning frameworks, as well as GenAI (foundation & domain models). They will focus on critical imperatives driving our business growth. This role is essential in ensuring the successful delivery of high value AI/ML use cases with material business/enterprise impact.
What You'll Do
- Thought Leadership: Operate as a trusted technical expert within Crocs Inc. on AI/ML technology and applications, including AI/ML embedded in SaaS or other 3rd party software.
- Architectural Leadership: Lead the architecture and design of AI/ML applications and AI/ML components integrated into other enterprise applications.
- Application Development: Hands-on development of rapid prototypes, as well as scaled AI/ML applications, ensuring the technology systems are scalable, reliable and built for growth.
- Collaboration: Work closely with multi-functional teams including IT and various business teams to identify, refine and prioritize high impact AI/ML use cases across the enterprise.
- Communicate to Multiple Levels: Develop architecture and process diagrams and communicate in ways that can be consumed by different levels of the organization with varying degrees of detail to ensure alignment up and down with the same understanding.
- Documentation: Develop and maintain solution architectural documentation that describes current and future technology state, including data flow diagrams, system architecture diagrams, and technical specifications.
- International Outlook: Design and implement scalable solutions that support both US and international operations. Collaborate with multi-functional teams to understand and address regional needs and challenges.
- Global Compliance and Standards: Ensure all systems and processes adhere to global industry standards and regulatory requirements, particularly concerning data security and privacy.
- Mentorship: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior team members, including external vendor resources, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
- Risk Mitigation: Identify and mitigate risks across the end-to-end solution where subject matter expertise required
- Relationship Management: Develop strong relationships with regional leaders, external partners, and vendors.
What You'll Bring to the Table
- 7+ years of experience with a bachelor’s OR 5+ years of experience with a master’s OR 2+ years of experience with a PhD. Professional experience in AI or machine learning roles, which may include AI/ML software engineering roles
- Proven experience in designing, implementing and deploying scaled AI/ML enterprise applications, with functional applications in some of the following: AI assistants & custom GPTs, demand forecasting, supply chain optimization, white space & assortment optimization, macro-space optimization, pricing, promotions & markdown optimization, NLP & NLU, product recommendation, targeted marketing & personalization, simulations, labor forecasting & staffing optimization, routing & network optimization, intelligent automation & decisioning, etc.
- Bachelor’s or graduate (master’s or PhD) degree in a quantitative discipline (e.g., Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Operations Research, etc.)
- Expertise in AI/ML algorithms including deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, etc.)
- Deep expertise in Python. Additional programming languages (such as Spark, Rust, etc.) a plus
- Strong knowledge of large language models, GenAI, and RAG frameworks
- Familiarity with retail or apparel business is a plus
- Excellent problem-solving skills with a strategic attitude
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple priorities.
- Exposure to AI ethics and compliant use of data
- Effective communication skills to provide complex technical information to both technical and non-technical personnel
- Ability to partner with suppliers, business customers, and IT staff on multi-functional projects and service improvements
- Skills and proven ability to analyze complex problems and break them down into logical, actionable parts
- Excellent analytical skills
The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We accept applications on an ongoing basis.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability, or any other classification protected by law.
Title: Staff AI/ML Engineer 
Salary or Pay Range: $160,000 - $185,000
Pay offered will vary based on job-related factors such as location, experience, training, skills, and abilities.
At Crocs, Inc. we believe in the power of a blend of in-person and virtual collaboration to drive creativity and strengthen relationships. Your participation in this flexible schedule plays a key role in building a connected and successful team. In-office requirements vary by our work personas: Resident (5 days), Collaborator (4 days), Connector (2-3 days), Explorer (fully remote). This role has been aligned to the Collaborator persona.
This position is eligible to participate in a company incentive program.
This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.
The application window is 45 days, but applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after the posting date in order to ensure optimal consideration. The posting will be removed if the job is filled before the application window deadline.
Job Category: Corporate
Nearest Major Market: Denver