Summer 2026

Machine Learning Engineer Intern

Posted on 6/13/2026

Snap

Snap

5,001-10,000 employees

Social media camera platform with AR

No salary listed

London, UK

In Person

In-office 4+ days per week; internship starts May/June 2026.

Bachelor's, Master's

Category
AI & Machine Learning
Required Skills
LLM
Python
TensorFlow
PyTorch
Machine Learning
Computer Vision
Linux/Unix

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Requirements
  • Strong computer science fundamentals and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency in Python for data processing, model development, and experimentation.
  • Familiarity with at least one deep learning framework (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX).
  • Understanding of core concepts in machine learning and at least one of: Computer Vision (e.g. image classification, detection, segmentation, depth estimation, optical flow, 3D geometry), or Natural Language / LLMs (e.g. sequence modeling, transformers, language model fine-tuning, vision-language models).
  • Ability to understand, debug, and improve existing code as well as develop new algorithms using advanced computer vision and machine learning techniques.
  • Ability to collaborate with other engineers and cross-functional partners, and communicate technical ideas clearly.
  • Comfortable working in a Linux-based development environment.
  • Currently enrolled in a BS, MS program in a technical field such as Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or a related discipline, with a graduation date no sooner than December 2026.
  • Graduating between December 2026 and Spring 2027.
  • Must be able to start in office in May or June 2026 for a 13-week internship.
Responsibilities
  • Join the Spectacles AR team in the London, UK office for a 13-week Summer 2026 Machine Learning Engineering Internship. As an intern, you will contribute to the Spectacles software organization, which is dedicated to developing the perception and understanding systems necessary for intelligent AR experiences on Spectacles.
  • Work on a technical project that aligns with Spectacles product and research needs, focused on scene understanding for AR experiences.
  • Prototype, train, and evaluate machine learning models for computer vision and multimodal understanding, using Python and modern deep learning frameworks.
  • Contribute to models, tooling, and algorithms in geometric scene understanding, 3D reconstruction, semantic scene understanding, visual localisation, and connecting scene understanding to language for richer, more semantic AR interactions.
  • Partner closely with your mentor and teammates across Spectacles software and other cross-functional teams to integrate your work into production-facing systems.
  • Learn and apply new software engineering and machine learning skills in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Desired Qualifications
  • Coursework or hands-on project experience in machine learning or deep learning.
  • Experience writing, documenting and debugging high quality code in Python
  • Experience with standard developer practices (version control, rigorous testing, documentation standards)

Snap Inc. builds camera-based social media and AR experiences centered on Snapchat, a multimedia messaging app where messages disappear, with features like Stories and Discover. Its hardware, Spectacles, captures video and photos from the wearer’s perspective and ties into Snapchat. The app earns primarily from advertising, offering Snap Ads and AR Sponsored Lenses and Filters, plus revenue from Spectacles sales. The goal is to help people express themselves, connect in moments, and reach a young audience while growing ad and product revenue through a camera-first platform.

Company Size

5,001-10,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Santa Monica, California

Founded

2011

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 revenue hit $1.6 billion, up 19%, with eighth straight positive free cash flow.
  • Snap’s August 2026 guidance targets $1.70-$1.74 billion third-quarter revenue and stronger EBITDA.
  • Lens+, Snapchat+, and Memories Storage drove other revenue up 85% to $316 million.

What critics are saying

  • Robert Murphy sold 4 million shares August 5-6, 2026, signaling insider caution.
  • Less than 3% of users pay; subscriptions cannot replace advertising revenue.
  • Specs at $2,195 faces Meta and Apple, and a flop damages Snap’s existential hardware bet.

What makes Snap unique

  • Snapchat owns Gen Z visual messaging and 971 million monthly active users, August 2026.
  • Snap’s AI ad automation lifted conversions 56% in Q2 2026.
  • Spectacles pairs AR glasses with Snapchat’s Lens ecosystem, unlike copycat social apps.

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Benefits

Paid maternity, paternity, and family caregiver leave

Adoption, surrogacy, infertility, and fertility preservation benefits

Backup child care coverage, caregiver assistance, and digital maternity care support

Short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, and AD&D insurance

Comprehensive medical coverage

Dental coverage, including orthodontia benefits

Vision coverage, including LASIK benefits

Gym perks and discounts

Team fitness classes, hikes, and races

Sports leagues

Cooking and nutritional workshops

Generous time off and leave programs

Emotional and mental health support programs and apps

Social gatherings, team outings, and volunteering programs

401(k) plan

Compensation packages that let you share in Snap’s long-term success!

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

1%

1 year growth

2%

2 year growth

2%
Yahoo Finance
Aug 12th, 2026
Snap beats Q2 estimates with $1.6B revenue as AI ad tools drive 56% conversion surge

Snap reported second-quarter revenue of $1.60 billion, beating analyst estimates of $1.54 billion with 18.9% year-on-year growth. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.13, significantly ahead of the $0.06 consensus. CEO Evan Spiegel attributed the performance to improvements in ad platform automation and AI-powered tools, which drove a 56% year-on-year increase in conversion events. Small and medium-sized business advertisers showed robust growth. During the earnings call, analysts questioned the durability of recent growth and the investment strategy for Specs, Snap's augmented reality glasses. Spiegel did not rule out alternative corporate structures for the product in future. CFO Doug Hott noted that World Cup-related advertising spending boosted second-quarter results but would normalise in the third quarter. Operating margin improved to -10.7% from -19.3% a year earlier.

Daily Shot Group
Aug 9th, 2026
AI video background plugins target Gen Z: Snap and Instagram beta social filters for video calls (August 2026).

AI video background plugins target Gen Z: Snap and Instagram beta social filters for video calls (August 2026). AI video background social filters target Gen Z: Snap and Instagram beta test social filters for video calls (August 2026). Snap and Instagram have launched beta tests of AI-powered video background social filters, targeting Gen Z users in August 2026. The new features - available to select users since August 7 - let people remix their video call backgrounds in real time, blurring the line between social creativity and personal privacy. Early access reveals a push to make every video call as expressive as a public post, raising new questions about the future of digital identity and platform competition. Why AI video background social filters matter for Gen Z. This move marks the first time leading social platforms have integrated AI background plugins directly into live video calling, rather than just for stories or pre-recorded content. Snap and Instagram's bet is clear: Gen Z sees video not just as a communication tool, but a canvas for self-expression. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center study, 78% of U.S. teens say visuals are "core" to how they communicate online, and 61% regularly use filters or AR effects during video chats. Until now, most AI video background tools were siloed in creator-focused apps like OBS or desktop plugins. As AI Daily Shot covered in its definitive 2026 guide to AI-powered video background plugins, these tools have been vital for streamers and video creators - but not yet built into mainstream, mobile-first social platforms. Snap and Instagram's rollout changes that dynamic, aiming to redefine not just how users present themselves, but how they interact in real time. Analysis: features, creative use cases, and market impact. What's new: Snap and Instagram's AI video background filters. Both Snap and Instagram are leveraging on-device AI to let users swap, animate, or augment their video call backgrounds with a single tap. Snap's beta, codenamed "Backdrop," offers: * Dynamic themes that change with mood (e.g., "focus mode" blurs distractions, "party mode" adds animated confetti or interactive elements). * Shared backgrounds for group calls, allowing friends to appear "in the same room" virtually - whether it's a Paris café or a Minecraft-inspired world. * Real-time AR overlays that let users co-create doodles or interactive stickers during calls. Instagram's "Scene Studio" beta focuses on personalization, with AI-generated backgrounds based on prompts or trending memes, and the ability to remix viral filters from Reels directly into live calls. A notable feature: one-tap privacy mode that instantly replaces a messy dorm room with a curated digital space. How does this compare to creator tools? Traditional AI video background plugins - reviewed in depth in its MacOS plugin roundup - prioritize control, customization, and studio-quality effects. Snap and Instagram's bet is on speed and shareability: users can access filters instantly, without setup or third-party apps. However, early users note some trade-offs: "It's fun, but not as crisp as the stuff I use for my YouTube channel," says Kayla Thompson, a 19-year-old creator from Los Angeles. "But that's not the point - it's about hanging out, not production value." Early user feedback: expressiveness, not just privacy. Initial reactions highlight how Gen Z sees video backgrounds as more than just privacy shields. "It's like wearing a new outfit every call," says Malik Rivera, a 17-year-old beta tester. "Sometimes I use it to hide my room, but mostly it's to show off my mood or share an inside joke." A Snap spokesperson confirmed: "We're seeing users treat backgrounds as social signals - who you're with, what you're into, what you want to say - just like Bitmoji or Stories before." Expert commentary: social context meets AI. Industry analysts see this as part of a broader shift: "AI video background social filters are the next step in platform differentiation," says Dr. Lena Wolf, principal researcher at Social Futures Lab. "For Gen Z, digital backdrops aren't just about hiding - they're about belonging, play, and performance. Expect platforms to compete on how seamlessly they let users shape their virtual environments." There's also a privacy dimension. "Automated privacy modes could reduce accidental oversharing, but also create new challenges for authenticity," notes digital culture scholar Dr. Arun Patel. "If every call looks like a curated scene, it blurs the line between real and performed self." Competitive stakes: who owns the social video call? Snap and Instagram's timing is strategic. With TikTok rumored to be testing its own video call filters, and Discord launching AI-powered "hangout rooms," the battle for Gen Z's screen time is moving beyond short video clips. Social video calling is the next frontier - and whoever makes it most expressive, wins. As rival platforms adapt, expect rapid iteration and a flood of new creative tools tailored to Gen Z's demand for interactivity and visual language. Publicidade What to watch next: roadmap, risks, and the future of social video. Beta testing on Snap and Instagram is expected to expand through September 2026, with a global rollout likely by Q4 if feedback is positive. Developers hint at further features, including: * Voice-activated background changes - switch scenes with a phrase * Collaborative filters - two users co-designing a shared space in real time * Brand-sponsored environments - letting users "step into" branded worlds during calls Privacy advocates are watching closely, especially as AI-generated environments become more immersive and potentially data-rich. There's also a looming question of copyright and attribution if user-generated backgrounds remix existing IP - a topic explored in its copyright guide for creators. For now, Snap and Instagram are betting that social filters will redefine the value of video calls for Gen Z - positioning these platforms as not just places to post, but places to be. The long-term implications? A world where every call is a social performance, every background a statement, and the boundaries between "real" and "virtual" identity are more fluid than ever. For a broader look at the evolution and impact of these technologies, see its 2026 guide to AI-powered video background plugins for content creators. Official announcements and further details: Master AI with its complete guide collection 8 guides, 375+ prompts, instant download. Save 41% with the All-Access Bundle. Senior AI Reporter Senior AI Reporter covering product launches, funding rounds, and industry moves.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 8th, 2026
Snap CTO sells 5.2M shares for $28.2M, retains $246M stake in social media firm

Snap's Chief Technology Officer Robert C. Murphy sold approximately 5.2 million shares for $28.2 million between 5 and 6 August 2026, according to an SEC Form 4 filing. The transaction represented a 10% reduction in his holdings. Four million of the shares were sold under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan adopted on 11 November 2025 and amended on 11 February 2026. This type of plan removes discretionary timing from share sales. Following the transaction, Murphy retains roughly 47.2 million total shares valued at $246.55 million at the 6 August 2026 market close. His holdings include 8.6 million shares held indirectly through various trusts. Snap operates Snapchat and generates revenue primarily through advertising. The company has a market capitalisation of $8.8 billion.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 5th, 2026
Snap CEO sees growth potential as only 3% of users pay for subscriptions

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel told investors on Monday that fewer than 3% of Snapchat's monthly active users currently pay for subscriptions, describing the figure as evidence of "substantial room" for growth. During the earnings call, Spiegel noted that app-based subscription services typically achieve 7%–12% user penetration long-term. The company plans to increase adoption through premium features, AI-powered creative tools, and additional subscription products like the newly launched Lens+. Snap reported second-quarter revenue of $1.6 billion and an adjusted loss of 10 cents per share, beating Wall Street expectations. Subscription products including Snapchat+, Memories Storage, and Lens+ drove an 85% year-over-year increase in other revenue to $316 million. The company forecast third-quarter revenue of $1.70 billion to $1.74 billion.

Business Insider
Aug 5th, 2026
Snapchat exec: AI's real value is freeing marketers to focus on human judgment and creativity

Snap Inc. is positioning AI as a tool to enhance human judgment in marketing rather than replace it. Shobha Diwakar, vice president of ads product and engineering at Snap, says AI excels at automating content creation and data analysis but cannot supply judgment and relationships that make brands valuable. Snapchat has launched AI innovations including Snap Smart Assistant, which provides campaign recommendations, and Dynamic Product Ads that infer shopping intent. The platform has over 950 million monthly active users. A Deloitte survey found 56% of US consumers planned to use AI for shopping during the 2025 holiday season. Diwakar recommends marketers start with goals and workflows before choosing AI models, letting technology handle mechanics whilst humans focus on customer connections.

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