Machine Learning Engineer

Protogon Research is a small, VC-backed team based in San Diego, CA, led by serial entrepreneur Rafael Cosman, co-founder of Archblock and the TrueFi DeFi protocol. We design autonomous AI systems and deploy them directly into financial markets through proprietary trading. This is where research meets the real world, and where models must perform, adapt, and improve continuously.

Financial markets provide clear feedback and real consequences, which gives us several key advantages:

• Clear feedback: progress is measurable, and weaknesses surface immediately, forcing our systems to move beyond simple pattern recognition or emulating human behavior toward deeper understanding and super-human performance.
• Long-term focus: unlike traditional quant funds, we're optimizing for the long-term success of our AI technology, not short-term profits.
• Original work: unlike much of the AI industry, we're not layering a thin wrapper over existing models. Our work is original, proprietary, and defensible.

We're seeking a talented Machine Learning Engineers with a strong emphasis in AI/ML Engineering to help us build impactful technology and drive innovation. We work primarily in person and are looking for candidates based in or willing to relocate to the San Diego area.

Responsibilities and Expectations

• Designing Model Architectures: Core work on improving our model architecture and training, with a focus on achieving measurable gains in model accuracy and reducing training time
• Evaluating Model Performance: Working on the training framework to efficiently train and test models, and expanding how we characterize/measure our trained models
• Expanding Data Sources: Finding and integrating more novel data to increase model performance on backtest as well as real-world assessments
• Monitoring and Alerts: Designing monitoring systems to detect and alert the team to anomalies with live trading strategies, aiming to reduce detection and response time, minimize false positives, and improve system reliability.

Who You Are

• Experienced Machine Learning Engineer: Strong background in ML development with hands-on experience in both theoretical and practical applications. Proficient in deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Jax, with expertise in feature engineering, model optimization, and evaluating model performance. Minimum of 2 years of experience.
• AI/Financial Markets Enthusiast: Interested in AI, AGI, and financial markets.
• Discreet: Able to handle and protect proprietary technology and strategies with the highest level of confidentiality.
• Takes Ownership: Proactively takes responsibility, drives projects, and contributes effectively within a small, agile team.

Nice to Have:

• Experience in quantitative finance, trading systems, or market modeling
• Strong programming skills in Python
• Knowledge of high-performance computing (HPC) and distributed computing frameworks

• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP)

What We Offer: 

• Competitive Compensation: A competitive base salary with equity ownership on top
  

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, dental and vision coverage designed to support you and your family's well-being. 

• Financial & Wellness Support: 401(k), Commuter, FSA and HSA programs, and additional benefits to support long-term stability. 
• Flexible Time Off & Work-Life Balance: Generous vacation, sick leave, and company holidays with flexibility to recharge when needed. 

Additional Information

• Protogon Research is planning on moving our HQ to Southern California in mid-2026, so we are looking for candidates that are either based in the Greater San Diego Area or are open to re-location.
  
  This role requires current authorization to work in the United States; Protogon Research is not able to provide visa sponsorship at this time.