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X, The Moonshot Factory · 2 weeks ago

2026 PhD / Masters Residency - Machine Learning / Software Engineering, Early Stage Project

Mountain View, CA

Full-time

Onsite

New Grad

$109K/yr - $150K/yr

5+ years exp

X, The Moonshot Factory is focused on pushing the limits of science and modeling. They are seeking a PhD or Masters student to explore advanced reasoning models and apply machine learning techniques to solve real-world problems in sustainability and finance.

AerospaceAugmented RealityAutomotiveRobotics

Responsibilities

Explore the potential of leading edge reasoning models to solve large-scale planning and optimization problems in collaboration with human experts

Leverage neural/foundation modeling techniques to build models of and generative optimization algorithms for a wide range of real-world modeling tasks

Translate your expertise in neural modeling to the rest of the team and apply it to solve real-world engineering problems related to climate sustainability and the carbon economy

Collaborate with X project team to experiment and build novel insights to finance, risk management, portfolio management, and derivatives valuation problems

Rapidly develop prototypes of artificial intelligence, machine learning models applied to sustainability and finance problems

Apply the latest in data science techniques to build and deploy data pipelines and exploratory data analysis on large-scale datasets

Develop value chain maps, evaluate costs and revenues to assess and recommend areas in which to de-risk the project

Work cross-functionally with experts across, X, Alphabet, and academia

Engage with the intern community during the program (attending tech talks, colloquium, and learning moonshot thinking), and most importantly HAVE FUN!

Qualification

Machine LearningPythonFinancial TheoryStatistical ModelingC++SQLData VisualizationDistributed ComputingAnalytical SkillsCommunication SkillsProblem SolvingTeam Collaboration

Required

Masters or PhD student in a STEM field (financial engineering, risk management, operations research, math/statistics or other quantitative field)

Strong knowledge of financial and probabilistic theory, as applied to financial markets

5 years experience with simulations of real-world phenomena (e.g., physical, biological, ecological, sociological)

Understanding of decarbonization and carbon removal technologies, as well as carbon markets

Fluent in Python, C++, SQL, databases, scripting, Matlab/R, SAS, and data visualization

Strong knowledge of statistical or machine learning modeling techniques, including Large Language Models

Experience in using distributed computing resources, such as GCP, AWS, Azure or HPC clusters

Very strong strategy and analytical skills. Ability to gather and analyze large quantities of information, and turn them into insightful business recommendations

Good at problem stating and problem solving, and turning ambiguous problem spaces into radical solutions. Must be able to break down problems independently

Can do attitude, willing to learn new tools and content to become an effective thought partner with project teams

Excellent communication skills i.e experience writing strategy docs, experience delivering presentations, and a general openness to liaise with senior external partners

Motivated by making the world a better place through technology, and wanting to be part of a team that makes this happen