Grindr · 19 hours ago
Principal ML Engineer
San Francisco, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Lead/Staff
$300K/yr - $380K/yr
10+ years expGrindr is at the forefront of an AI-driven evolution, seeking a Principal ML Engineer to lead the technical vision in harnessing machine learning for their platform. The role involves architecting recommendation systems, enhancing user connections through LLMs, and providing technical leadership across teams to drive impactful ML solutions.
DatingLGBTLocation Based ServicesMobile Apps
Responsibilities
Architect and oversee large-scale recommendation systems to serve millions, balancing performance and innovation
Leverage the latest LLMs to process vast conversation data and enhance user connections
Prototype, iterate, and ship production-ready ML solutions that solve real problems for our user
Provide technical leadership across teams, collaborating with engineering, data science and product teams to turn bold ideas into tangible results
Evaluate, influence, and integrate emerging AI tools and techniques at an organizational level to keep Grindr’s tech stack ahead of the curve
Qualification
Required
10+ years of experience building ML systems with a focus on 0-to-1 system development, platform-scale architecture, and creating new capabilities from scratch. Experience with recommendation systems or similar is a plus
Proven ability to deliver at scale, with fluency in Python and popular ML frameworks
A scrappy mindset—you tackle messy challenges head-on and get real results
Experience using data and deployment technologies (Snowflake, Airflow, Kubernetes, Docker, Helm, Spark, PySpark)
Experience building machine/deep learning models with at least one common framework such as PyTorch, Tensorflow, or Keras
Experience with any public cloud environment - AWS, GCP or Databricks
Preferred
Expertise in building and maintaining LLM workflows for nuanced, human-driven tasks
A track record of leading the development of recommendation platforms that hit the mark for diverse user needs
Thrives in a fast-paced, outcome-driven environment with lots of cross-functional collaboration
A proven history of setting technical direction, driving adoption of ML systems across organizations, and owning products end-to-end from early-stage concept to full-scale rollout
Benefits
Family Insurance: Insurance premium coverage for health, dental, and vision for you and partial coverage for your dependents.
Retirement Savings: Generous 401K plan with 6% match and immediate vest in the U.S.
Compensation: Industry-competitive compensation and eligibility for company bonus and equity programs.
Queer-Inclusive Benefits: Industry-leading gender-affirming offerings with up to 90% cost coverage, access to Included Health, monthly stipends for HRT, and more.
Additional Benefits: Flexible vacation policy, monthly stipends for cell phone, internet, wellness, food, and commuting, breakfast/lunch provided onsite, and yearly travel & leisure stipend.
Company
Grindr
Grindr is a location-based social application for gay, bi, trans, queer people and other members of the LGBT community.
51-200 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Grindr has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (5)
2024 (10)
2023 (5)
2022 (2)
2021 (7)
2020 (7)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$793MKey Investors
Capital One
2025-12-16Post Ipo Debt· $250M
2023-11-28Post Ipo Debt· $350M
2022-11-18Post Ipo Equity· $100M
Leadership Team
George Arison
Chief Executive Officer
J
John North
Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
Business Insider
2025-12-24
2025-12-18
Computing.co.uk
2025-12-18
Company data provided by crunchbase