Yelena (Elena) Menyaylenko

Manager of ML Algo Development at Apple

Audio Machine LearningDeep Learning PipelinesControl Systems DesignNonlinear System IdentificationML Architecture DevelopmentCross-functional Leadership

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About

I am Yelena Menyaylenko, currently serving as the Manager of ML Algo Development at Apple. My career has been a fascinating journey from designing control systems for satellites and mechanical systems to leading specialized research teams in audio machine learning. I made the transition into ML because I believe it offers superior tools for modeling the complex nonlinear systems I encountered early in my engineering career. Today, I focus on audio understanding, foundation models, and building scalable deep learning pipelines. I am deeply passionate about the intersection of acoustics and AI, and I find great fulfillment in mentoring the next generation of engineers. Whether I'm discussing the nuances of self-supervised learning or sharing professional opportunities within my network, I value high-quality collaboration and technical excellence.

Networking

What I can offer

›Expertise in the intersection of audio, acoustics, and machine learning
›Career guidance and mentorship for students entering the field
›Insights into transitioning from traditional engineering to ML

Looking for

›expanding my professional network
›exploring mutual opportunities in audio ML and acoustics

Best fit for

ML researchers and engineersEngineering studentsAudio and acoustics professionalsCross-functional tech leaders

Current Interests

Audio understanding and processingSelf-supervised learning and foundation modelsML training efficiency and optimizationSpace systems and roboticsMentorship for students

Background

Career

Transitioned from mechanical and control systems engineering into machine learning, moving from satellite design at Space Systems Loral to leading audio ML research at Apple.

Education

Master’s Degree, Mechanical Engineering, UC San Diego (2012 – 2014); Bachelor of Science (BS), Bioengineering/Biotechnology, UC San Diego (2010 – 2012).

Achievements

›Played a key role in the launch of the Sky Muster satellite
›Published research on Alzheimer’s disease mechanics for the Biophysical Society
›Scaled career from Control Systems Engineer to Manager of ML Algo Development at Apple

Opinions

ML algorithms are superior to traditional control systems for modeling complex nonlinear systems
Shipping high-quality features requires top-notch cross-functional collaboration