--- title: 'Senior Staff/Staff Machine Learning Engineer at Coupang' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-staff-staff-machine-learning-engineer-coupang-beijing-z5t1n55dwrw5' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-06' --- # Senior Staff/Staff Machine Learning Engineer at Coupang - **Company:** Coupang - **Location:** Beijing, China - **Posted:** 2025-07-17 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-06 - **Apply:** https://www.coupang.jobs/en/jobs/?gh_jid=7080211 ## Job description Senior Staff/Staff Machine Learning Engineer-BJ/SH Company Introduction We exist to wow our customers. We know we’re doing the right thing when we hear our customers say, “How did we ever live without Coupang?” Born out of an obsession to make shopping, eating, and living easier than ever, we are collectively disrupting the multi-billion-dollar commerce industry from the ground up and establishing an unparalleled reputation for being leading and reliable force in South Korean commerce. We are proud to have the best of both worlds — a startup culture with the resources of a large global public company. This fuels us to continue our growth and launch new services at the sped we have been at since our inception. We are all entrepreneurial surrounded by opportunities to drive new initiatives and innovations. At our core, we are bold and ambitious people that like to get our hands dirty and make a hands-on impact. At Coupang, you will see yourself, your colleagues, your team, and the company grow every day. Our mission to build the future of commerce is real. We push the boundaries of what’s possible to solve problems and break traditional tradeoffs. Join Coupang now to create an epic experience in this always-on, high-tech, and hyper-connected world. As a Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer in Search and Discovery, you will leverage the most advanced algorithms to improve Coupang’s product search and discovery quality. You will spearhead the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI to revolutionize our core search pipeline—including query understanding, product understanding, semantic retrieval, and final-stage ranking. You are expected to be a leading expert in one or multiple areas including information retrieval, recommendation systems, machine learning, deep learning, or natural language processing. The ideal candidates are pragmatic, resourceful, embrace seemingly impossible challenges, and have a proven track record of deploying high-scale, low-latency AI solutions in production. What You Will Do - System Diagnostics: Root cause the bottlenecks of the current search and recommendation systems and quantify the defects across the entire search funnel (query rewriting/ retrieval/ranking). - State-of-the-Art Solutions: Propose and architect end-to-end solutions that leverage advanced ML, DL, and Generative AI/LLMs to upgrade traditional search components into AI-native architectures. - Core Funnel Optimization with LLMs: - Query Understanding: Build next-generation query understanding services (intent detection, query rewrite, semantic expansion, entity extraction) utilizing fine-tuned LLMs. - Candidate Retrieval: Design and scale semantic/dense retrieval systems, combining traditional vector search (ANN) with generative retrieval techniques. - Ranking & Reranking: Develop and optimize LLM-based listwise/pairwise reranking models, and tackle performance trade-offs (latency, cost, throughput) for real-time serving. - Production & Evaluation: Implement solutions, optimize offline/online inference performance (using model distillation, quantization, vLLM/TensorRT), and conduct rigorous A/B tests. - Technical Leadership: Be a thought leader, mentor senior engineers, and gain consensus across cross-functional organizations (Infrastructure, Platform, Product) to drive the search AI roadmap. - Example Projects Include - LLM-Powered Query Understanding: We train and fine-tune in-house LLMs to perform multi-task query tagging, real-time query rewriting/expansion, and precise intent categorization. - Generative & Semantic Retrieval: We use deep representation learning, two-tower models, and LLM-generated semantic embeddings combined with vector databases (e.g., Milvus, Vespa) for hyper-accurate candidate retrieval. - LLM Reranking & Distillation: We explore listwise and pairwise LLM reranking models to evaluate query-item relevance, while distilling their reasoning capabilities into smaller, sub-millisecond models for real-time serving. - Deep Conversion & Personalization: We build Deep Learning-based conversion prediction models ($CVR$) incorporating real-time user state, query intent, and multi-modal product representations. - Graph-based Relationships: We leverage graph neural networks (GNNs) and knowledge graphs to ground our LLMs, exploring latent relationships between query sessions and catalog documents. ## Basic Qualifications - 10+ years of professional experience in related fields including Search, Information Retrieval, RecSys, ML, DL, or NLP. - Solid software engineering foundation with proficient coding skills in Python, C++, or Java. - Distributed Systems Experience: Proven experience handling large data volumes, training large-scale models, and serving high-QPS pipelines in distributed environments (e.g., Spark, Ray, Kubernetes). - Pragmatic Problem Solver: Demonstrated ability to take ambiguous business problems, formulate them mathematically, and deliver production-grade ML solutions. - Education: Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related engineering fields. ## Preferred Qualifications - LLM & GenAI Expertise: Deep hands-on experience in fine-tuning (SFT, LoRA), aligning (RLHF/DPO), or distilling LLMs specifically for search, recommendation, or NLP tasks (e.g., query expansion, dense retrieval, reranking). Recruitment Process and Others Recruitment Process - Application Review - Job Fit Interview - Focus Interview – Offer - The exact nature of the recruitment process may vary according to the specific job and may be changed due to scheduling or other circumstances. - Interview schedules and the results will be informed to the applicant via the e-mail address submitted at the application stage. Details to Consider - This job posting may be closed prior to the stated end date for application if all openings are filled. - Coupang has the right to rescind an offer of employment if a candidate is found to have submitted false information as part of the application process. - Those eligible for employment protection (recipients of veteran’s benefits, the disabled, etc.) may receive preferential treatment for employment in accordance with applicable laws. Privacy Notice - Your personal information will be collected and managed by Coupang as stated in the Application Privacy Notice located below: https://www.coupang.jobs/privacy-policy/ ## About Coupang ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Coupang is a global technology and Fortune 150 company that reimagines commerce by integrating e-commerce, logistics, last-mile delivery, restaurant delivery, video streaming, and fintech services to wow customers. - **Entity Type**: Public (NYSE: CPNG) - **Headquarters**: Seattle, Washington, USA (global HQ); operates major hubs in Seoul, South Korea, and other locations. - **Founded**: 2010 - **Founders**: Bom Kim (Bong-Seok Kim) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: E-commerce, Logistics & Fulfillment, Retail, Food Delivery, Fintech, Content Streaming, AI-driven Commerce. - **Target customers**: B2C (primarily consumers in South Korea, with growing global operations including Taiwan, Singapore, and the U.S.). - **Mission or purpose statement**: "We exist to wow our customers. We know we’re doing the right thing when we hear our customers say, 'How did I ever live without Coupang?'" ## Products & Services - **[Coupang (Rocket Delivery)](#)**: Core e-commerce platform offering millions of products with over 99% of orders delivered same or next day via a proprietary logistics network. Includes Rocket Fresh (groceries) and Rocket Now (ultra-fast delivery). - **[Coupang Eats](#)**: Restaurant food delivery service. - **[Coupang Play](#)**: Video streaming service (original content, sports, and licensed shows). - **[Farfetch](#)**: Global luxury fashion platform acquired by Coupang. - **[Coupang Fintech](#)**: Payment and financial services (e.g., Coupang Pay, credit card partnerships). - **[Coupang Logistics & Fulfillment Services](#)**: End-to-end logistics for third-party sellers and brands. - **[Rocket Growth](#)**: SaaS-like tools and services for sellers/suppliers to manage inventory, analytics, and advertising. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: ~$25.8 billion (as of mid-2026) [LinkedIn]. - **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue of **$34.5 billion** (most recent fiscal year) [LinkedIn]. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Publicly traded on NYSE (institutional investors include SoftBank, BlackRock, Fidelity, and others). Key partners include major global brands and local Korean suppliers. - **Growth Signals**: - Ranked **#132 on the 2026 Fortune 500**, jumping significantly [investor relations]. - Rapid AI-driven global commerce expansion (e.g., Taiwan, Singapore, and U.S. tech hubs). - 5,940 employees (linkedIn data, with monthly headcount growth of +1.1% and quarterly job posting growth of +154.2%). ## Competitive Advantages - **Fully Integrated Infrastructure**: Coupang owns and operates over 100 fulfillment and logistics centers (covering tens of millions of square feet) combined with proprietary software, AI, and machine learning to predict demand and route deliveries — a moat that competitors in Korea and emerging markets find hard to replicate. - **Speed & Reliability**: Over 99% of orders delivered same or next day (including dawn delivery) 365 days a year, setting a bar that most global e-commerce players cannot match. - **Customer Obsession Culture**: "Wow the Customer" is a core leadership principle, driving constant innovation to break traditional tradeoffs (speed, selection, price). - **Startup Culture with Fortune 150 Resources**: Offers the agility and risk-taking of an early-stage company combined with the stability, compensation, and scale of a large public corporation. ## Strategic Focus - **AI & Technology Leadership**: Heavy investment in AI/machine learning for demand forecasting, dynamic routing, and customer personalization. Actively hiring senior ML and data engineers [careers page]. - **Global Expansion**: Leveraging its Korean infrastructure playbook to enter new markets (Taiwan, Singapore) and grow its global footprint. - **Diversification into Fintech & Content**: Building out Coupang Pay, Coupang Play, and fintech products to create an ecosystem (similar to Amazon Prime's strategy). - **Farfetch Integration**: Turning the luxury fashion platform into a global growth driver. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: "Best of both worlds" — startup energy (fast decision-making, ownership, risk-taking) with the resources of a Fortune 150 company. Flat hierarchy, open culture, and a strong "bias for action" ethos [coupang.jobs]. - **Remote/Hybrid/Office Policy**: Flexible working hours and work-from-home options are available. Many roles are based in offices (Seattle, Mountain View, Seoul, etc.) with state-of-the-art amenities including cafeterias serving three meals a day, lounge spaces, and coffee/snack bars. - **Benefits**: - Medical insurance for employee and direct family. - Paid family leave (for celebration or bereavement). - Learning programs (foreign languages, soft skills). - Global project opportunities (collaborate with teams across continents). - Team and company events (games, food, bonding). - **Engineering Culture**: High-impact projects — building the commerce infrastructure of the future (large-scale AI, logistics optimization, mobile-first, search & discovery). Emphasizes "Hire and Develop the Best" and "Learn & Iterate" principles. - **Career Growth**: Opportunities for internal rotations, upskilling, and taking on entrepreneurial initiatives within a massive scale. ## Sources 1. [Coupang Careers](https://www.coupang.jobs/en/) 2. [Why Work at Coupang](https://www.coupang.jobs/en/why-coupang/) 3. [Coupang About Us](https://www.aboutcoupang.com/aboutus/) 4. [Coupang Investor Relations](https://ir.aboutcoupang.com/overview/) 5. [LinkedIn - Coupang](https://www.linkedin.com/company/coupang) ## Other roles at Coupang - [[쿠팡] 주니어 콘텐츠 에디터 (로켓프레시)](https://feeny.ai/job/coupang-seoul-0btkdv2zg3m4) — Seoul, South Korea - [[쿠팡] 시니어 콘텐츠 에디터 (로켓프레시)](https://feeny.ai/job/coupang-seoul-chfwjm8d0xv8) — Seoul, South Korea - [[Rocket Now] B2B Sales and Business Development Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/rocket-now-b2b-sales-and-business-development-manager-coupang-tokyo-8tesbctx20f7) — Tokyo, Japan - [[쿠팡] 로켓배송 직매입 Brand Management/MD (쌀/잡곡)](https://feeny.ai/job/brand-management-md-coupang-seoul-11z5aedgevbj) — Seoul, South Korea - [[쿠팡] 광고영업 담당자 (대형 광고주)](https://feeny.ai/job/coupang-seoul-d8m97c35w73r) — Seoul, South Korea - [[CPLB] 오퍼레이션 프로세스 자동화(AX) 담당자](https://feeny.ai/job/cplb-ax-coupang-seoul-3fjw6axtcshy) — Seoul, South Korea - [Helper manager[L5]](https://feeny.ai/job/helper-manager-l5-coupang-taoyuan-n4d4953gc2q9) — Taoyuan, Taiwan - [[쿠팡풀필먼트서비스] 물류센터 자동화 설비 보전 관리자 (안산3센터)](https://feeny.ai/job/3-coupang-south-korea-n3jtzv3k53a7) — South Korea - [[쿠팡풀필먼트서비스] 물류센터 자동화 설비 보전 관리자 (천안6,8센터)](https://feeny.ai/job/6-8-coupang-south-korea-5ee2kapvfp7a) — South Korea - [[쿠팡로지스틱스서비스] Senior Business Analyst (EHS Planning)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-business-analyst-ehs-planning-coupang-seoul-m855kr7197sw) — Seoul, South Korea