Director, Machine Learning (Applied AI Research)

About the role

Unity's Gaming AI organization turns applied research into products used by millions of creators, and is looking for a Director, Machine Learning to lead an applied AI research team in Singapore. The role turns research into models and systems that ship, builds and grows a team of researchers and engineers, and helps shape how Unity uses AI across its platform.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and grow an applied AI research team of ML researchers and engineers in Singapore, including hiring, mentoring and team development
• Set the technical direction and roadmap for the team's research, in partnership with Gaming AI leadership
• Move research from prototype to production, shipping models and systems that create real value for Unity products and creators
• Partner with product, engineering and research teams across Unity's global AI organization to align research with business priorities
• Establish strong practices for experimentation, evaluation and model quality
• Stay ahead of advances in machine learning and AI and bring the most promising ideas into Unity's work
• Represent Unity's applied research internally and in the broader AI community

Required profile

• Track record of leading applied ML or AI research teams, including managing researchers and engineers
• Experience taking ML models from research into production at scale
• Deep expertise in modern machine learning, including deep learning and large language or multimodal models
• Experience setting technical strategy and roadmaps for a research or engineering team
• Effective written and verbal communication, including explaining complex technical work to non-technical leaders
• Experience working with distributed, multi-functional teams across time zones
• Sufficient knowledge of English for professional communication with colleagues and partners worldwide

Required skills

• Hands-on experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch or JAX
• Preferred: PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning or a related field
• Preferred: publications at top venues such as NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR or CVPR
• Preferred: experience applying AI to games, 3D content or creative tools

What we offer

• Base salary range of SGD 291,500 to SGD 437,300 gross; possible equity awards and participation in incentive plans such as annual discretionary bonuses or sales commissions
• Health, life and disability insurance, commute subsidy, employee stock ownership and retirement/pension plans
• Vacation and personal days, support for new parents, office food snacks
• Mental health and wellbeing programs, employee resource groups, global employee assistance program
• Training and development programs, volunteering and donation matching