Typewise, a YC S22 startup developing an AI-powered keyboard focused on text prediction and correction, is hiring a Machine Learning Engineer in Zurich, Switzerland. The ideal candidate has experience in NLP, deep learning, and large language models, and will contribute to improving the keyboard's prediction accuracy and performance. Responsibilities include developing and training new models, optimizing existing ones, and working with large datasets. Experience with TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar frameworks is desired, along with a passion for building innovative products that improve user experience.
Typewise, a company specializing in innovative keyboard technology and a participant in Y Combinator's Summer 2022 cohort, is actively seeking a highly skilled Machine Learning Engineer to join their team in Zurich, Switzerland. This full-time position presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the development and refinement of cutting-edge text prediction and correction algorithms that power Typewise's distinctive hexagonal keyboard layout.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in machine learning principles and techniques, coupled with demonstrable experience in applying these concepts to real-world natural language processing (NLP) challenges. Specifically, expertise in areas like next-word prediction, autocorrection, and personalized language models is highly desirable. The successful applicant will play a pivotal role in enhancing the accuracy, speed, and overall user experience of Typewise's keyboard across multiple platforms. They will be responsible for researching, designing, implementing, and evaluating novel machine learning models, working closely with the engineering team to integrate these models seamlessly into the Typewise keyboard ecosystem.
This role also emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision making. The ML Engineer will be expected to leverage data analysis and experimentation to continuously optimize the performance of existing models and explore new avenues for improvement. This involves meticulous data collection, rigorous testing, and iterative refinement of algorithms based on empirical results. Furthermore, the position requires a proactive approach to staying abreast of the latest advancements in machine learning research and exploring their potential applications within Typewise's technology. Strong communication and collaboration skills are also essential, as the ML Engineer will be working within a dynamic team environment, contributing to both technical discussions and strategic planning. While the specific programming languages and tools are not explicitly mentioned, the focus on machine learning and NLP suggests familiarity with relevant frameworks and libraries within these domains would be beneficial. Finally, the position's location in Zurich, Switzerland, offers a vibrant and international work environment in a technologically advanced hub.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43689801
HN commenters discuss the listed salary range (120-180k CHF) for the ML Engineer position at Typewise, with several noting it seems low for Zurich's high cost of living, especially compared to US tech salaries. Some suggest the range might be intended to attract less experienced candidates. Others express interest in the company's mission of improving typing accuracy and privacy, but question the technical challenge and long-term market viability of a swipe-based keyboard. A few commenters also mention the potential difficulty of obtaining a Swiss work permit.
The Hacker News post linking to a Typewise job posting for a Machine Learning Engineer elicited several comments, primarily focusing on the listed salary and the cost of living in Zurich.
One commenter questioned the attractiveness of the offered salary range of CHF 100,000 - 140,000, considering Zurich's high cost of living. They expressed doubt that someone with the required skills, particularly experience with large language models and transformers, would find this range competitive, especially when compared to US salaries. They speculated that the company might be targeting less experienced candidates or relying on the allure of living in Switzerland to compensate.
Another commenter agreed, stating that while Zurich is a beautiful city, the provided salary range would likely only allow for a modest lifestyle. They calculated the after-tax income and compared it to average rent prices, concluding that a significant portion of the salary would be consumed by housing costs. They also pointed out the limited upper bound of the salary range, suggesting it might not be appealing to highly skilled individuals.
Furthering the discussion on salary, a commenter who claimed to have lived in Zurich weighed in. They emphasized the high cost of housing and transportation, mentioning specific expenses like mandatory health insurance. They also noted the lower tax rates compared to other European countries, but ultimately agreed that the offered salary range isn't particularly competitive for experienced ML engineers, especially those with expertise in the currently in-demand areas like LLMs.
One commenter briefly mentioned the company's unusual keyboard layout as a potential downside.
The discussion also touched upon the hiring market, with one commenter speculating about a potential shift in the job market, where companies might be trying to hire experienced engineers at lower salaries than what was prevalent a year ago.
Finally, there's a brief exchange about the salary being denominated in Swiss Francs (CHF) and its current rough equivalence to the US dollar.