Machine Learning Engineer - Ads Ranking

Machine Learning Engineer, Ads Ranking

SmartNews · Shibuya, Japan (Hybrid) · Full-time · Posted 2026-11-12

Workplace: hybrid

Department: Technology

Description

About SmartNews

SmartNews is a leading global information and news discovery company dedicated to delivering quality information to the people who need it. Thanks to our unique machine-learning technology and relationships with more than 3,000 global publisher partners, we provide news that matters to millions of users.

Founded in 2012 in Tokyo, SmartNews also has offices in Osaka (Kansai Office), Palo Alto, New York and Singapore.

If you share our vision and are passionate about our mission, we encourage you to apply!

The Team

The Ads Ranking Team is dedicated to empowering the SmartNews ads business by developing state-of-art ranking systems and advanced product solutions that ensures the highest relevance, profitability, and sustainability of our ad offerings. By applying a blend of engineering expertise and business insights, we strive to enhance ad performance and revenue, meeting and exceeding the expectations of our advertisers. We are looking for talented engineers to join us in building the next-generation ad systems and products that will support our rapid and ambitious growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize core algorithms to generate relevant ads, driving the growth of a profitable ad ecosystem. This includes areas such as targeting, ranking, bidding and auction.
• Work closely with backend engineers to develop a  highly scalable ranking and delivery system, ensuring high performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, product specialists and sales, building product solutions to solve advertisers’ pain points and meet their needs.

Requirements

Minimum requirements

• BS degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field (Physics, Mathematics, etc.).
• Solid programming fundamentals with experience in at least one programming language (e.g., Python, Java, C++).
• Familiarity with machine learning concepts and algorithms, with a strong interest in applying them to real-world problems.
• Good problem-solving skills and a willingness to learn and adapt to complex systems.
• Strong analytical thinking and basic understanding of statistical concepts.
• Proficiency in business-level English.

Nice to have experiences/skills

• M.S. or Ph.D. in a relevant major.
• Proven research skills, demonstrated through publications in top conferences or involvement in impactful research projects.
• Internship or project experience related to large-scale ML systems.
• Basic knowledge or interest in the digital ad ecosystem.

Related Links

• Click here or visit our careers site to check employee interviews

Working condition

• Office Location: Tokyo

Click here or visit our careers site for more info.

Benefits

Benefits available at the SmartNews Tokyo Office

• All healthcare and social insurance required by the Japanese labor law, plus annual health check
• Visa sponsorship and overseas relocation support available for eligible candidates

Click here or visit our careers site for more info about our benefits.

Apply

Apply at SmartNews

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