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Combinatorial Optimization Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Responsibilities : • Apply advanced continuous and combinatorial optimization, control, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and algorithmic techniques to build, maintain, and improve on ...

Strong fundamentals in algorithms, graph methods, search, combinatorial optimization, computational geometry, or constraint solving. * Experience solving structured optimization problems such as ...

Senior Software Engineer, AI Networking

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$143K - $189K/yr

These include tools that use ML-based combinatorial optimization and build space exploration (DSE) techniques. These tools will be employed to optimize AI workloads across large GPU and CPU clusters ...

Strong fundamentals in algorithms, graph methods, search, combinatorial optimization, computational geometry, or constraint solving. * Experience solving structured optimization problems such as ...

Senior Software Engineer, AI Networking

Seattle, WA · On-site

$139K - $183K/yr

These include tools that use ML-based combinatorial optimization and build space exploration (DSE) techniques. These tools will be employed to optimize AI workloads across large GPU and CPU clusters ...

Apply advanced continuous and combinatorial optimization, control, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and algorithmic techniques to build, maintain, and improve on decision systems/processes.

Apply advanced continuous and combinatorial optimization, control, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and algorithmic techniques to build, maintain, and improve on decision systems/processes.

Senior ML Engineer

$180K - $200K/yr

You'll work across optimization, machine learning, and geometric deep learning on a hard, real-world combinatorial problem. This is a fully distributed team. We expect high autonomy and high ...

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Combinatorial Optimization information

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$41.5K

$142.5K

$201K

How much do combinatorial optimization jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for combinatorial optimization in the United States is $142,460.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $166,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a combinatorial optimization specialist?

To thrive as a Combinatorial Optimization Specialist, you need a solid background in mathematics, computer science, and operations research, often supported by an advanced degree in a related field. Familiarity with programming languages (such as Python, C++, or Java), optimization libraries, and mathematical modeling tools like CPLEX or Gurobi is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective communication help you devise and explain complex solutions to stakeholders. These skills are crucial for developing efficient algorithms and models that address challenging optimization problems in various industries.

How does a combinatorial optimization specialist typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

Combinatorial Optimization specialists frequently work cross-functionally, partnering with data scientists, software engineers, and business analysts to translate complex business problems into mathematical models. They help teams identify optimal solutions for scheduling, routing, resource allocation, and other operational challenges. Effective communication is crucial, as specialists must explain complex algorithms to non-technical stakeholders and integrate their solutions into broader business processes. Collaborative teamwork and iterative problem-solving are common in this role.

What is the difference between Combinatorial Optimization vs Data Analyst?

AspectCombinatorial OptimizationData Analyst
Required CredentialsMathematics, Operations Research, Computer Science degreesStatistics, Data Science, Business Analytics degrees
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, consulting firms, tech companiesCorporate offices, finance, marketing departments
Industry UsageLogistics, manufacturing, AI, supply chainFinance, marketing, healthcare, retail

While both roles involve analytical skills, Combinatorial Optimization focuses on solving complex mathematical problems to find optimal solutions, often in logistics and operations. Data Analysts interpret data to inform business decisions, working across various industries. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations.

What is combinatorial optimization?

Combinatorial optimization is a field in mathematics and computer science focused on finding the best solution from a finite set of possible solutions. It involves problems where you need to arrange, select, or group discrete objects according to certain rules to achieve an optimal outcome. Examples include scheduling, routing, and assignment problems. Techniques such as linear programming, branch and bound, and heuristics are often used to solve these problems. Combinatorial optimization is widely applied in logistics, operations research, computer science, and engineering.
More about Combinatorial Optimization jobs
What cities are hiring for Combinatorial Optimization jobs? Cities with the most Combinatorial Optimization job openings:
What states have the most Combinatorial Optimization jobs? States with the most job openings for Combinatorial Optimization jobs include:
Infographic showing various Combinatorial Optimization job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,460 per year, or $68.5 per hour.

AI Optimization Engineer

Oxy

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Oxy is a company that produces, markets, and transports oil and natural gas, focusing on lower-carbon technologies. They are seeking an experienced AI Optimization Engineer to apply advanced optimization and AI techniques to improve decision systems within their Applied AI Center of Excellence.
Responsibilities:
• Apply advanced continuous and combinatorial optimization, control, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and algorithmic techniques to build, maintain, and improve on decision systems/processes.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to select the relevant sources of information and formulate the right questions and problems.
• Identify what data is available and relevant, leveraging and creating data input and output pipelines and application programming interfaces (APIs).
• Provide feasible and real-life practical solutions, and demonstrate the scientific qualities: clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, significance, and fairness.
• Present and depict the rationale of findings in easy-to-understand terms for the business.
• Present back results that contradict common belief, if needed.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of optimization methods, including dynamic, parametric, and non-parametric approaches
• Experience in dynamic and/or static system modeling.
• Experience designing and implementing advanced control techniques such as Model Predictive Control (MPC), and adaptive control.
• Knowledgeable in system identification and state estimation methods such as Kalman filtering and Moving Horizon Estimation (MHE)
• Knowledgeable in machine learning concepts and their application to modeling, optimization, or control problems
• Proficient in Python
• Experience with Git version control
• Possession of excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Effective team player who takes an active role in team responsibilities.
• Strong time management skills.
• Ability to work with minimum of supervision.
Preferred:
• Knowledge of the oil and gas industry.
• Familiarity with AWS or similar cloud platforms.
• Familiarity with Docker for containerization and Kubernetes for orchestration.
Company:
Oxy is an international energy company that produces, markets and transports oil and natural gas to maximize value and provide resources fundamental to life. Founded in 1920, the company is headquartered in Houston, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

Oxy logo

About Oxy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

For 100 years, Oxy has developed extensive assets, infrastructure, expertise and technology to fuel progress and improve lives around the world. Now we’re leveraging these resources to help solve the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. We want to be part of the solution, so we're taking bold steps to innovate new technologies for a low-carbon future. Oxy produces energy and essential products to sustain and improve life on our planet. Our experienced teams, located in the United States, Middle East, Africa and Latin America, are committed to safe and efficient operations and products, and to reducing our carbon footprint and helping others do the same.

Industry

Oil and gas extraction

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Houston, TX, US