Fast Facts

Figma is seeking PhD interns with expertise in AI and machine learning to develop innovative AI-driven features for design products, contributing to fundamental and applied research in Generative AI and deep learning.

Responsibilities: Conduct research in Generative AI, implement new modeling approaches, explore technology boundaries, and publish findings in leading conferences.

Skills: Expertise in AI, machine learning, Python, and frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow; strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Qualifications: 4th or 5th year PhD student in a related field with proven expertise in AI and a track record of relevant publications.

Location: Available in San Francisco, CA or New York, NY during Spring/Summer 2026.

Compensation: Not provided by employer. Typical compensation ranges for this position are between $40,000 - $70,000.

The AI Platform in Figma is working on an exciting mission of expanding the frontiers of AI for creativity, and developing magical experiences in Figma products. This involves making existing features like search smarter and building new features using cutting edge Generative AI and deep learning techniques.

We are seeking PhD interns with expertise in machine learning and artificial intelligence to develop innovative AI solutions for design and creative products. Through both fundamental and applied research, your work will contribute to new AI-driven features in Figma products and will be showcased in leading conferences in the field.

This internship can take place in Spring 2026 or Summer 2026 in San Francisco or New York. 

What you’ll do at Figma:

• Drive fundamental and applied research in Generative AI and deep learning with Figma product use cases in mind
• Formulate and implement new modeling approaches both to improve the effectiveness of Figma’s current AI models as well as enable the launch of entirely new AI-powered product features
• Explore the boundaries of what is possible with the current technology set and experiment with novel ideas
• Publish your research in leading AI/ML conferences

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• Are a 4th or 5th year senior Ph.D student in AI, Machine Learning, Computer vision, Natural Language Processing or a related field
• Have proven expertise in AI through publications on recent advancements in AI, such as Large Language Models or Diffusion Models
• Have a track record in applying machine learning techniques to projects in academia or industry
• Experience in Python and machine learning frameworks (such as PyTorch, TensorFlow)
• Have experience solving sophisticated problems and comparing alternative solutions, trade-offs, and diverse points of view to determine a path forward
• Have experience communicating your solutions effectively to different audiences

At Figma, one of our values is Grow as you go. We believe in hiring smart, curious people who are excited to learn and develop their skills. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the points outlined in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.