Winter 2026, Spring 2026

Machine Learning Engineer Intern

Winter / Spring 2026

Posted on 9/5/2025

Cognitiv

Cognitiv

51-200 employees

AI-powered ad buying optimization platform

Compensation Overview

$30 - $32/hr

+ Equity + Benefits

San Mateo, CA, USA

Hybrid

Hybrid role: 3 in-office days (Mon–Wed) in San Mateo, CA or fully remote.

Category
AI & Machine Learning (6)
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Required Skills
LLM
Python
Data Science
Data Structures & Algorithms
Pytorch
Machine Learning
Requirements
  • Currently working towards earning a BS or MS in Computer Science or a related technical field
  • Strong coding skills in Python.
  • Expertise in deep learning architectures (e.g., transformers), frameworks (e.g., PyTorch), and related libraries.
  • Knowledge of distributed computing, cloud platforms, and big data technologies.
  • Proficiency in software engineering principles, algorithms, and data structures.
  • Exceptional problem-solving capabilities and excellent communication skills, fostering effective teamwork.
Responsibilities
  • Innovate and refine advanced deep learning architectures, enhancing our machine learning models' efficacy and innovation, directly contributing to our mission in advancing real-time bidding (RTB) algorithms.
  • Engage in proactive research on Large Language Models (LLM), applying insights to fortify our algorithms and elevate the precision of ad targeting and bidding strategies within the dynamic landscape of AdTech.
  • Develop, test, and deploy sophisticated machine learning tools and methodologies, establishing and following top-tier coding and engineering standards.
  • Focus on creating robust training, deployment, and monitoring pipelines to solve intricate AdTech challenges, thus elevating model performance and scalability.
  • Collaborate and communicate effectively across diverse teams within the organization, translating complex ML concepts into actionable strategies.
Desired Qualifications
  • Prior involvement in Recommendation System Research, particularly those who have developed or explored recommendation algorithms.
  • Distinguished achievements in Computer Science or Mathematics Competitions, highlighting exceptional problem-solving skills.
  • Demonstrable Non-Academic Technical Experience, such as participation in hackathons, showcasing hands-on, innovative technical abilities outside traditional academic realms.
  • Proficiency with at least one modern front-end framework (e.g., React, Vue) and its ecosystem (JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML5).
  • Strong C++ programming skills are a significant advantage.

Cognitiv uses AI to improve digital advertising for other businesses. It builds custom, AI-driven ad strategies that predict what consumers will do and automatically buy ads at the right times. The core tool, NeuralMind, takes a client’s data, trains neural networks, and creates tailored ad-buying algorithms to optimize who sees ads, where they appear, and when they run. This SaaS platform is designed for B2B clients who want to leverage their own first-party data without needing data scientists. What sets Cognitiv apart is its focus on turning client data into actionable insights and new consumer clusters, along with recognized achievements in programmatic advertising. The company’s goal is to help brands maximize ROI on digital advertising by delivering more effective targeting and spend efficiency through AI-powered automation.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

$3.3M

Headquarters

null

Founded

2015

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • ContextGPT drove 388% revenue growth in 2025 with 67% YoY new client increase.
  • AudienceGPT partnerships with Magnite and Index Exchange enable multi-channel activation.
  • Michael Kassan board appointment accelerates enterprise agency partnerships in 2026.

What critics are saying

  • OpenAI API price hikes compress ContextGPT margins within 6-12 months.
  • Google and Meta embed native LLM contextual AI, eroding differentiation in 12-24 months.
  • Magnite and Index Exchange integrate ContextGPT logic, disintermediating Cognitiv in 12-24 months.

What makes Cognitiv unique

  • NeuralMind platform trains custom deep neural networks on client data for precise consumer behavior prediction.
  • ContextGPT delivers real-time contextual targeting using LLMs, updating segments every 15 minutes.
  • AudienceGPT generates synthetic consumer journeys from plain-language prompts across CTV, audio, and programmatic.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Parental Leave

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Hybrid Work Options

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Health and Wellness Stipend

Phone/Internet Stipend

Employee Assistance Program

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

1%

1 year growth

1%

2 year growth

4%
The Associated Press
Mar 26th, 2026
Cognitiv launches AudienceGPT to target consumers based on real-time behaviour, not static segments

Cognitiv has launched AudienceGPT, an AI-powered tool that identifies audiences based on real-time consumer journeys rather than static segments. The platform analyses behavioural signals to predict current purchase intent, moving beyond outdated browsing data. AudienceGPT uses deep learning to develop synthetic consumer journey profiles that can be updated every 15 minutes. Marketers describe their target audience in plain language through a chat interface and receive real-time persona recommendations. The solution works across audio, connected TV, social and programmatic channels. The launch includes partnerships with Magnite, Index Exchange and LiveRamp Marketplace for supply curation and distribution. Cognitiv reported 388% growth in 2025. The company has raised total funding but specific amounts were not disclosed in this announcement.

Cision
Nov 18th, 2025
WunderKIND Ads and Cognitiv Bring the Power of ContextGPT Direct to Media Buyers

WunderKIND Ads and Cognitiv bring the power of ContextGPT direct to media buyers. News provided by. WunderKIND Ads The partnership unlocks programmatic access, contextual targeting capabilities across unique inventory from WunderKIND Ads' 300+ premium publishers * Media buyers can access WunderKIND Ads' 300+ premium publishers programmatically through any DSP. * With Cognitiv's ContextGPT, WunderKIND provides precise, dynamic strategies to media buyers, enabling more intelligent contextual targeting in seconds. * AI-driven contextual intelligence improves relevance, yield, and performance across campaigns. WunderKIND Ads, the leader in non-intrusive, user-first ad experiences, today announced a strategic partnership with Cognitiv - the leading advanced performance partner powered by deep learning - providing media buyers access to unique inventory while unlocking new revenue opportunities for publishers, in a challenging era. Through Cognitiv's ContextGPT, WunderKIND Ads can curate inventory to create custom deals for advertisers, and align content with the deepest level of contextual intelligence across its network of 300+ premium publishers - with seamless activation through any DSP. WunderKIND Ads' media buyers can now easily plan, refine, and launch campaigns in seconds - unlocking dynamic audience discovery, greater relevance, and AI-driven contextual precision. Powered by advanced reasoning and fine-tuned large language models (LLMs), the newly enhanced ContextGPT sets the standard for contextual precision, adapting to multiple layers of relevance, from audience and content type to semantic nuance and brand safety. ContextGPT's fully co-located real-time SSP integrations also update segments with new content in real-time, allowing buyers to take advantage of new content and its many new readers instead of having to wait a day or more when the stories are stale in other context solutions. This technology gives WunderKIND Ads' media buyers real-time visibility into how audience signals intersect with content, enabling more relevant ad delivery that drives higher-value demand, increases yield, and improves overall monetization efficiency. "This is how contextual advertising should work," said Adam Gendelman VP, Head of Sales, Supply & Operations at WunderKIND Ads. "While much of the publishing world braces for disruption, we're using AI to help publishers grow revenue and give advertisers faster access to unique inventory that delivers better, more relevant experiences for their audiences." This partnership underscores both companies' commitment to delivering advanced AI and deep learning technology to drive meaningful business performance for the entire media ecosystem. With future-proofed precision, ContextGPT applies proprietary AI to deliver custom, nuanced page-level content segmentation, surpassing basic IAB categories and keyword targeting. The result is brand-safe advertising powered by human-like understanding, optimized for relevance, scale, and performance. "Cognitiv has seen the power that AI-driven contextual signals can unlock for our own clients, so this integration is a natural next step," said Jana Jakovljevic, SVP, Partnerships, at Cognitiv. "By putting ContextGPT directly into the hands of the sell-side, we are providing them the tools to understand their content and their audiences at a whole new level. It is a great example of how AI can elevate both monetization and performance at the same time." About WunderKIND Ads Wunderkind is a leading digital marketing platform that delivers advertising and performance marketing solutions to brands, publishers, and advertisers. Wunderkind's advertising product (WunderKIND Ads) delivers an unparalleled user-first ad experience across a curated list of top-tier publishers. High-impact ads are delivered in a non-intrusive and kind way, once a user disengages, resulting in happier users and higher returns for both advertisers and publishers. Wunderkind's performance marketing solutions allow brands and retailers to scale marketing channels without relying on third-party cookies through proprietary identity management technology purpose-built for web, email, and text. By expertly tailoring, automating, and scaling brand-forward, one-to-one experiences, Wunderkind helps acquire new customers at scale and keep them loyal for life. Unlike any other company, Wunderkind guarantees revenue performance. Discover how Wunderkind can drive efficient growth for your brand(s) by visiting https://www.wunderkind.co/how-it-works/advertising-solutions-for-advertisers-and-publishers/. About Cognitiv Cognitiv is the leading advanced performance partner powered by deep learning. Leveraging cutting-edge AI technology and data science since 2015 to more accurately predict consumer behavior and understand nuance, Cognitiv connects brands with their customers in more precise, relevant, impactful moments at scale. Cognitiv's Deep Learning Advertising Platform provides marketers with unprecedented flexibility, activating as a Dynamic Deal run through the DSP of your choice, as a managed service DSP, or through its industry-first ContextGPT product. Cognitiv is on a mission to bring intelligence to advertising. Keep up with Cognitiv on LinkedIn, X and Instagram. Media Contact Elizabeth Philbin, WunderKIND Ads, [email protected], https://www.wunderkind.co/how-it-works/advertising-solutions-for-advertisers-and-publishers/ SOURCE WunderKIND Ads

Business Wire
Sep 10th, 2025
Cognitiv Unveils Next Evolution ContextGPT, Redefining How Advertisers Find Their Audiences

Cognitiv unveils next evolution ContextGPT, redefining how advertisers find their audiences.

Adweek
Apr 28th, 2025
Michael Kassan Joins AI Adtech Firm Cognitiv's Board of Directors

Adtech firm Cognitiv has appointed industry heavyweight, Michael Kassan, to its board of directors.

Techeconomy
Mar 21st, 2025
Cognitiv Expands Collaboration with OpenAI to Enhance Contextual Advertising with ContextGPT

Cognitiv, an advanced performance partner powered by deep learning, has expanded its longstanding collaboration with OpenAI, which began in March 2023.

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