Consumer Reports is looking for a Research Engineer to drive exploratory research engineering with a focus on innovative applications of AI, machine learning, and emerging technologies to guide the future of CR.
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience, ideally across both backend and frontend with additional depth and interest in applied research, particularly within AI/ML domains.
- You've designed and built innovative proofs of concept, prototypes and products from the ground up.
- You have a demonstrated curiosity for solving challenging and non-straightforward engineering problems.
- You bring an expertise in Python, paired with strong fluency in frameworks like FastAPI and React.
- You have a deep knowledge of AI orchestration and evaluation.
- You've worked on consumer-focused AI applications or chatbots.
Responsibilities
- Lead exploratory spikes, proofs-of-concept and early-stage prototyping to test high-impact, forward-looking ideas.
- Identify strategic opportunities in emerging technologies (notably AI/ML).
- Collaborate closely on technical planning, architecture, and implementation efforts for AskCR, our pro-consumer, expert-backed AI that offers advice using CR’s trusted information.
- Work collaboratively across cross-functional teams (Digital Product, Product Testing, User Research, Data Engineering, Advocacy) to find opportunities, solve problems and share insights.
- Establish and refine practices for documenting experiments and synthesizing research outputs.
- Mentor and potentially manage junior research engineers as the team grows.
- Cultivate a culture of curiosity, experimentation, rapid learning, and entrepreneurial discovery.
Other
- A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
- You have a passion for entrepreneurial challenges and experience in early-stage product development
- You are a strong communicator, able to clearly translate experimental findings and engineering insights to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- You bring a strong interest in consumer rights, ethical AI and responsible development.
- This is a remote position. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
