Key Responsibilities
- Design, prototype, and implement Generative AI systems (text, image, 3D, and multimodal) that enhance ZURU’s internal tools and workflows.
- Experiment with LLMs, LoRA, diffusion, and agentic systems, adapting open-source and proprietary models for practical use.
- Translate research papers and emerging techniques into working demos with measurable impact.
- Collaborate with UX, OS, and frontend teams to bring your models to life inside real products.
- Build and maintain internal tools, datasets, and pipelines that accelerate experimentation.
- Occasionally support broader ML or Computer Vision initiatives.
- Share learnings and foster an AI-first culture through internal sessions, docs, and experiments.
Requirements
- 3–6 years of experience in AI engineering, with proven hands-on work in Generative AI over the past couple of years (text, image, or multimodal).
- Strong Python skills and experience with frameworks such as PyTorch, Hugging Face, or ComfyUI.
- Solid understanding of transformer architectures, fine-tuning, LoRA, and model adaptation.
- Familiarity with LangChain, OpenAI SDK, or similar orchestration frameworks.
- Ability to quickly move from concept to prototype, iterating fast and documenting results clearly.
- English proficiency (B2 or higher) and comfort working in a global, English-speaking environment.
- Collaborative mindset — curious, humble, and eager to learn and teach within a tight-knit team.
Nice to Have
- Exposure to model evaluation and benchmarking practices.
- Experience bridging research to production (deployment, monitoring, or scaling pipelines).
- Some C++ familiarity for integrating AI into high-performance applications.
- Background or interest in ML or Computer Vision
Who You Are
- You’re an AI enthusiast who loves exploring new models, frameworks, and ideas.
- You understand both the science and the craft of AI — reading papers, experimenting, and building.
- You see every model as a starting point, not a limit.
- You thrive in a fast-paced, cross-functional team and want your work to have tangible impact.
- You believe in our motto: “AI is not the final destination, but a tool that empowers us to foresee possibilities and shape the future.”
Top Skills
What We Do
ZURU is a disruptive and award-winning company that designs, manufactures and markets innovative toys and consumer products.
Inspired by kids and imaginative play, ZURU is one of the fastest growing toy companies in the world and is known for their agility, creativity and new-age manufacturing techniques.
The company that started in New Zealand now employs more than 5,000 staff across 18 offices, produces 600,000 toys a day and distributes to most major retailers in over 120 countries.
ZURU has delighted millions of families all over the world with brands such as Bunch O Balloons™, X-Shot™, Rainbocorns™, Robo Alive™, Smashers™, 5 Surprise™ and Metal Machines™ as well as through partnerships with entertainment properties, including Nickelodeon, Disney, Universal Studios and DreamWorks.
With a strong commitment to the community, ZURU supports Captivating International, local China orphanages and also student development programs in Asia and in New Zealand.
ZURU will continue to pave new ways for kids to play and focuses on reimagining what this looks like every day.







