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Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer Jobs in Champaign, IL

Varsity Tutors

Machine Learning Tutor

Champaign, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of supervised learning, unsupervised learning, feature engineering, model selection ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

Saige Partners

Software Developer

Champaign, IL · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Software Developer (Champaign, IL) Job Overview: We are seeking a talented and motivated Software ... Demonstrated passion for learning new technologies and applying them to solve real-world business ...

Saige Partners

Software Developer

Champaign, IL

$100K - $140K/yr

Software Developer (Champaign, IL) Job Overview: We are seeking a talented and motivated Software ... Demonstrated passion for learning new technologies and applying them to solve real-world business ...

Varsity Tutors

Software Tutor

Champaign, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of software development methodologies, programming languages, version control ... for learning. Please note: Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado ...

Varsity Tutors

Python Tutor

Champaign, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... Python to machine learning, web scraping, scientific computing, and DevOps applications ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

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Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer information

See Champaign, IL salary details

$63.6K

$147.7K

$205.8K

How much do contract machine learning software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract machine learning software engineer in Champaign, IL is $147,739.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,200.00 and $173,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract machine learning software engineer?

A Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer is a professional who is hired on a temporary or project basis to design, develop, and deploy machine learning models and systems. They often work with organizations that need specialized expertise for a limited duration, helping to build algorithms, analyze data, and integrate AI solutions into existing software products. Contract engineers typically have strong backgrounds in programming, mathematics, and data science, and they may work remotely or on-site. Their responsibilities can range from data preprocessing and model training to deploying models in production environments. This arrangement allows companies to access advanced machine learning skills without committing to a full-time hire.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract machine learning software engineer?

To thrive as a Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, proficiency in programming languages like Python, and expertise in machine learning algorithms, typically supported by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with frameworks and tools such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, and cloud platforms, along with knowledge of version control systems like Git, is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and the ability to work independently or with cross-functional teams make someone stand out in this role. These skills ensure efficient delivery of scalable machine learning solutions that meet client requirements and project timelines.

How does a contract machine learning software engineer typically collaborate with full-time team members during a project?

As a Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer, you will often work closely with full-time data scientists, software engineers, and product managers. Collaboration usually happens through regular stand-up meetings, code reviews, and shared documentation platforms. Despite being a contractor, you’re expected to integrate seamlessly with the team, communicate progress transparently, and adapt to the company’s workflows. Building strong relationships and proactively seeking feedback can help ensure your contributions align with the project’s goals and timelines.

What is the difference between Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectContract Machine Learning Software EngineerData Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master’s in CS, ML, or related fields; experience with ML frameworksBachelor's or Master’s in Statistics, Data Science, or related fields; strong analytical skills
Work EnvironmentProject-based, often remote, focused on developing ML models and softwareData analysis, visualization, and interpretation, often in research or business settings
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, startups, consulting firms; used for deploying ML solutionsResearch institutions, finance, healthcare, and tech; used for insights and decision-making

The main difference is that Contract Machine Learning Software Engineers focus on developing and deploying ML models as software solutions, while Data Scientists analyze data to generate insights. Both roles require strong technical skills, but their primary objectives and work environments differ.

What are the most commonly searched types of Machine Learning Software Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL?

The most popular types of Machine Learning Software Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL?

For Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL are:

What cities near Champaign, IL are hiring for Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Champaign, IL with the most Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer job openings:

Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer job openings in Champaign, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Temporary. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,739 per year, or $71 per hour.

Machine Learning Engineer

University of Illinois

Champaign, IL • On-site

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

About Dow
At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we're passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.
Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We're a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you're looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you're in the right place.
About this role
Dow has an exciting and challenging opportunity for a Machine Learning Engineer within our Enterprise Data & Analytics organization located in Houston, TX; Midland, MI; or Champaign, IL (Dow Delivery Center at UIUC). (Please note the posting indicates other locations, but the site location is in CHAMPAIGN, IL.)
As a Machine Learning Engineer in our Data & Analytics Platforms team specializing in data and analytics solutions, you will work with a cross-functional team whose objective is to deliver solutions that drive business value for Dow. In this role, you will work closely with data engineers, data scientists, domain experts, and software engineers to design, develop, and deploy machine learning systems, including training and inference pipelines on the Azure Databricks platform. You will also help drive a culture around setting standards and adopting best practices for machine learning and MLOps across the organization.
  • This position does not offer relocation assistance
  • This position does not have people leadership responsibility. This position is an Independent Contributor; however, you may act as coach and mentor to junior resources
Requirements
  • A minimum of a Bachelor's degree, or 8 years relevant experience, or relevant military experience at an E6 rank/Petty Officer 2nd Class or higher is required
  • A minimum of 3 years of experience developing solutions in machine learning, data science, or related field
  • A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency () process

Preferred
  • A degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, data science or related field
  • Proficient in Python and one or more machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, etc
  • Experience in developing and deploying machine learning models and pipelines on the Databricks platform using Databricks MLflow, Delta Lake, SQL Analytics, Model Registry, Jobs, and Workspace
  • Strong knowledge of machine learning concepts, techniques, and algorithms
  • Ability to perform data analysis, feature engineering, model selection, optimization, and evaluation using Databricks
  • Ability to communicate complex machine learning concepts and results to technical and non-technical audiences using Databricks notebooks and dashboards
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
  • Curiosity and passion for learning new machine learning skills and technologies using Databricks
  • Strong knowledge of data modeling, data warehousing, and ETL processes
  • Experience designing and deploying into production both traditional and generative AI systems
  • Proficiency in SQL and experience with big data technologies such as Apache Spark and Hive
  • Experience working within Azure Machine Learning
  • Experience containerizing and deploying ML models to Azure Kubernetes Service
  • Experience with Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2, and other Azure services
  • Multi-application and cross-platform design experience
  • Understanding of data lakehouse platform design and associated workflows
  • Ability to thrive in challenging situations and solve complex problems
  • Ability to manage own work effort in multiple projects with little supervision
  • Interested in emerging technologies with the ability to quickly learn and exploit cutting edge offerings to achieve business objectives
Responsibilities
  • Designs and implements pipelines and other workflow infrastructure to meet the requirements for new AI/ML solutions that involve online, batch, or real-time inference
  • Deploys and monitors machine learning models in production using Databricks Model Registry, Jobs, and Workspace
  • Frequently collaborates with data engineers, DevOps/platform engineers, data scientists, and domain experts as part of a comprehensive MLOps framework to ensure AI/ML solutions are performant, reliable, and maintainable
  • Works frequently with application development teams to ensure seamless integrations
  • Works proficiently with various ML frameworks, such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, as well as distributed frameworks like Spark MLlib and Ray
  • Performs data analysis, feature engineering, model selection, hyperparameter optimization, and model evaluation using Databricks MLFlow, Delta Lake, and SQL Analytics and other tools as part of the end-to-end ML lifecycle
  • Researches and implements new machine learning techniques and methods using Databricks, staying abreast of the latest trends and technologies
  • Documents and communicates machine learning results and insights to stakeholders using Databricks notebooks and dashboards
  • Understands IT security policies and implements them as part of new solution designs
  • Follows and promotes the best practices and standards for machine learning and MLOps across the organization using Databricks and Azure DevOps

Your skills:
  • Solutions Delivery: End-to-end ownership of Azure data solutions-translating ambiguous business needs into robust architectural blueprints, then delivering through design, build, test, deployment, and post-launch monitoring with a focus on reliability, performance, and cost efficiency.
  • Cloud Computing: Designing and operating cloud-native architectures on Azure (e.g., Databricks Lakehouse, ADF/Workflows, Functions, Logic Apps, Azure SQL) with CI/CD and IaC to scale securely and economically for ML, BI, streaming, and web applications.
  • Integration Services: Building secure, high-throughput integrations-REST APIs and event/stream pipelines (e.g., Event Hubs/Kafka)-to connect polyglot data stores (SQL Server, Cosmos DB, Neo4j) and enable real-time and batch data products.
  • Security Awareness: Embedding governance, identity, and compliance into the architecture (OAuth/RBAC, data governance, re-authorization/ownership verification), enforcing code reviews and automated controls across pipelines and deployments.
  • Strategic Planning: Aligning platform roadmaps and technology choices with enterprise strategy, mentoring engineers on best practices, defining standards and KPIs, and prioritizing modernization and cost-optimization initiatives that maximize business impact.

Please use this link to apply: Machine Learning Engineer - Dow
University of Illinois logo

About University of Illinois

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Illinois, located in Urbana, Illinois, US, is a prominent entity in the higher education sector. Operating its official functions through its website uillinois.edu, the institution provides a range of educational programs and services. The University was founded in 1867 and has since grown dramatically both in size and reputation. Its core values are embodied in its mission to enhance the lives of its students and citizens in the state, nation, and world through leadership in learning, discovery, engagement, and economic development. The university boasts several notable achievements including producing Nobel laureates and Pulitzer prize winners. It is renowned for its research programs and is known for significant advancements across various fields including engineering, science, and humanities.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Urbana, IL, US

Year founded

1974

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