About the role#
The AI Research team at Figma builds systems that improve design quality and end-user experience. We focus on agentic systems, model evaluation, and post-training. We are looking for PhD students to join us for an internship in Winter or Summer 2027 to develop innovative AI solutions for our creative products. This is a full-time, paid position where you will contribute to fundamental and applied research that directly impacts our product features.
What you'll do#
- Drive research in Generative AI with a focus on Figma product use cases.
- Create and implement new modeling approaches to improve existing AI models.
- Build features that enable new AI-powered capabilities within the platform.
- Experiment with novel ideas and test the boundaries of current technology.
- Publish your research in leading AI/ML conferences, depending on your project.
What you'll need#
- You are a 4th or 5th year PhD student in AI, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Human Computer Interaction, or a related field.
- Proven expertise in AI demonstrated through publications on recent advancements.
- A track record of applying machine learning techniques to academic or industry projects.
- Proficiency in Python and machine learning frameworks.
- Experience solving complex problems and evaluating different technical solutions.
- Previous industry experience, effective communication skills, and experience with AI-assisted development tools are considered a plus.
Location & details#
- This role is on-site in either San Francisco, California or New York, New York.
- The internship is available for Winter 2027 or Summer 2027.
- This is a paid, full-time position.
About Figma
Figma operates in the design services industry. It provides a platform for collaborative design work. The company started in 2012 and maintains its headquarters in San Francisco, California. It employs between 1,001 and 5,000 people. The organization remains privately held.
How to get in at Figma
Applying early gives you a distinct advantage at Figma because recruiters review applications before the pile grows. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you can be among the first to submit your materials. This timing often determines whether your resume gets a second look or remains in the queue. You can reach out to recruiters directly to ask about the role or a referral, which materially improves your response rates. Intern Insider surfaces the specific recruiters behind Figma roles so you can make that connection. Using these direct channels helps you stand out in a competitive process.
