Sr. Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Posted:
12/17/2025, 4:26:46 AM

Location(s):
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States ⋅ Pennsylvania, United States

Experience Level(s):
Expert or higher ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
AI & Machine Learning

Workplace Type:
Hybrid

FreeWheel, a Comcast company, provides comprehensive ad platforms for publishers, advertisers, and media buyers. Powered by premium video content, robust data, and advanced technology, we’re making it easier for buyers and sellers to transact across all screens, data types, and sales channels. As a global company, we have offices in nine countries and can insert advertisements around the world.

Job Summary

We are seeking a visionary and hands-on leader to drive the conception, development, and delivery of next-generation products and services at the intersection of AI/ML, Edge Computing, and Cloud Systems. The ideal candidate bridges deep technical expertise with strategic business acumen, fostering innovation from concept to commercialization.

Job Description

Core Responsibilities

  • Advises and represents strategic roadmap for machine learning technologies to executive leadership.
  • Potentially engages with other business units and partners on strategy in the area of machine learning.
  • Guides the successful completion of high profile, revenue impacting programs that use machine learning as essential components. Serves as a leader across multiple teams for specific machine learning technologies and/or areas of research.
  • Research and/or engineering lead for teams in the development of specifications, technical requirements, algorithms and frameworks of custom machine learning based designs for future products and applications.
  • Acts as a subject matter expert in designing and prototyping machine learning models and/or machine learning frameworks of high complexity. Leads innovation in technical capability delivery.
  • Research and/or engineering lead for teams in determining the technical requirements for a machine learning application or platform. Leads the design and implementation of machine learning applications and platforms within one or more product areas, partnering with the product teams and other stakeholders through development. Conducts studies to support product or application development.
  • Creates patents, application programming interfaces (APIs) and other intellectual property. Presents papers at conferences, as well as displaying leadership in these areas. Participates in standards bodies. May guide contributions to open source efforts.
  • Tests and evaluates solutions presented to the Company by various internal and external partners and vendors. Leads teams in completing case studies, testing and reporting.
  • Represents the organization and possible the company as the prime technical contact for one or more technical areas that utilize machine learning.
  • Provides guidance and leadership to team members across the organization and possibly company.
  • Consistent exercise of independent judgment and discretion in matters of significance.
  • Regular, consistent and punctual attendance. Must be able to work nights and weekends, variable schedule(s) and overtime as necessary.
  • Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Innovation Leadership: Identify and develop new business opportunities leveraging emerging technologies such as AI/ML, Edge Computing, IoT, and Signal Processing and Acquisition. 

  • Product Ideation & Development: Lead cross-functional teams (R&D, engineering, design) through rapid prototyping and lean UX experimentation to validate concepts and deliver working solutions. 

  • Strategic Partnerships: Evaluate and advise on technology partnerships, investments, and acquisitions aligned with business goals. 

  • Systems Architecture: Design and oversee scalable architectures across hybrid Edge-Cloud environments, ensuring performance, cost-efficiency, and reliability. 

  • Research & Development: Guide algorithmic innovation in areas such as online advertising, audience development, propensity modeling, and conversion sensing and attribution. 

  • Mentorship & Training: Facilitate workshops and training programs to upskill engineering and management teams in AI/IoT innovation practices. 

  • Intellectual Property: Drive patent generation and innovation documentation, fostering a culture of technical creativity and defensible IP. 

Qualifications: 

  • Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field. 

  • 10+ years of experience leading R&D or innovation programs in technology-driven organizations. 

  • Proven experience in AI/ML, Cloud/Edge Computing, and IoT systems. 

  • Strong background in algorithm design, optimization, and mathematical modeling. 

  • Demonstrated success in translating research into viable business solutions or new product lines. 

  • Experience in both startup environments and large-scale corporate innovation. 

  • Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills. 

  • Record of innovation (e.g., platforms, patents)  

Preferred Experience: 

  • Work in or with industries such as online publishing and advertising, audience development, smart sensing, robotics, and general management consulting. 

  • Prior experience as CTO, Director of R&D, or Principal Technologist. 

  • Familiarity with Lean UX and Product Canvas methodologies. 

 

Employees at all levels are expected to:

  • Understand our Operating Principles; make them the guidelines for how you do your job.
  • Own the customer experience - think and act in ways that put our customers first, give them seamless digital options at every touchpoint, and make them promoters of our products and services.
  • Know your stuff - be enthusiastic learners, users and advocates of our game-changing technology, products and services, especially our digital tools and experiences.
  • Win as a team - make big things happen by working together and being open to new ideas.
  • Be an active part of the Net Promoter System - a way of working that brings more employee and customer feedback into the company - by joining huddles, making call backs and helping us elevate opportunities to do better for our customers.
  • Drive results and growth.
  • Support a culture of inclusion in how you work and lead.
  • Do what's right for each other, our customers, investors and our communities.

Disclaimer:

  • This information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications.

Skills

AI Architecture, Algorithms, Design, Innovation, Intellectual Property, Machine Learning Algorithms, Product Ideation

Compensation

Primary Location Pay Range: $300,618.99 - $450,928.49

Comcast intends to offer the selected candidate base pay dependent on job-related, non-discriminatory factors such as experience. Base pay is one part of the Total Rewards that Comcast provides to compensate and recognize employees for their work.    Most sales positions are eligible for a Commission under the terms of an applicable plan, while most non-sales positions are eligible for a Bonus.  Additionally, Comcast provides best-in-class Benefits to eligible employees.  We believe that benefits should connect you to the support you need when it matters most, and should help you care for those who matter most.  That’s why we provide an array of options, expert guidance and always-on tools, that are personalized to meet the needs of your reality – to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. Please visit the compensation and benefits summary on our careers site for more details.

The application window is 30 days from the date job is posted, unless the number of applicants requires it to close sooner or later.

Education

Bachelor's Degree

While possessing the stated degree is preferred, Comcast also may consider applicants who hold some combination of coursework and experience, or who have extensive related professional experience.

Certifications (if applicable)

Relevant Work Experience

15 Years +

Comcast is an equal opportunity workplace. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.