1

Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Machine Learning Engineer

Niles, IL · On-site

$53 - $72.75/hr

... machine learning models * Deploy and manage ML models in production environments using ... Software Engineering, or a related field or High School Diploma/General Education Diploma and 7 ...

Machine Learning Engineer

Niles, IL · On-site

$53 - $72.75/hr

... machine learning models * Deploy and manage ML models in production environments using ... Software Engineering, or a related field or High School Diploma/General Education Diploma and 7 ...

Strong software, hardware, and systems development understanding * Programming fluency in C/C++ and ... Hands-on experience applying machine learning and deep learning to vision data, preferably direct ...

MACHINE LEARNING ENGINEER (MLOPS / DATA ENGINEERING) Overview Darwill is a nationally recognized print and marketing communications firm based in the west suburbs of Chicago. As a premier provider of ...

Coinflow is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to help build the intelligence layer that powers our platform. This is a zero-to-one role. You will be the first dedicated ML hire and will own how ...

We are deploying machine learning directly onto custom hardware - and we want you to help drive it ... We build the hardware, the software, and the infrastructure, so when you hit a bottleneck, you can ...

Machine Learning Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$160K - $220K/yr

Coinflow is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to help build the intelligence layer that powers our platform. This is a zero-to-one role. You will be the first dedicated ML hire and will own how ...

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Chicago, IL

$107K - $147K/yr

Mentor other Machine Learning Engineers, Data Scientists, and Software Engineers on the team Skills/Competencies * Requires a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Statistics, and a ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$65.4K

$152K

$211.7K

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

As of Jun 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract machine learning software engineer in Chicago, IL is $151,971.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,600.00 and $178,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

Which 5 jobs will survive AI?

For a Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer, roles that involve complex problem-solving, creativity, and human judgment are more likely to persist, such as AI research, data science, cybersecurity, software architecture, and technical consulting. These jobs require specialized skills, domain expertise, and adaptability that AI tools currently cannot fully replicate. Continuous learning and proficiency with AI and machine learning tools will help maintain relevance in this evolving field.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior machine learning software engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in deep learning and data science, and often working in high-demand industries or at large tech companies can earn $500,000 or more annually. Compensation may include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, especially in competitive markets or executive-level roles.

What is a $900,000 AI job?

A $900,000 AI job typically refers to a high-level position in artificial intelligence, such as a senior machine learning engineer or AI research director, often involving advanced skills in deep learning, data science, and software engineering. These roles usually require extensive experience, specialized knowledge, and may include leadership responsibilities or working with cutting-edge AI technologies. Compensation at this level reflects the complexity and impact of the work, often including bonuses and stock options.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Machine Learning Software Engineer, and why are they important?

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 much do contract software engineers make?

Contract machine learning software engineers typically earn between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on experience, location, and project complexity. Rates can vary based on skills in specific frameworks, tools, and the duration of the contract.

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 most commonly searched types of Machine Learning Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Machine Learning Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Machine Learning Engineering Manager

Machine Learning Engineering Manager

United Airlines, Inc.

Chicago, IL • On-site

$118K - $141K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


United Airlines rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 333 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 26 rated airlines


Job description

Description
United's Digital Technology team is comprised of many talented individuals all working together with cutting-edge technology to build the best airline in the history of aviation. Our team designs, develops and maintains massively scaling technology solutions brought to life with innovative architectures, data analytics, and digital solutions.
Job overview and responsibilities
Develops and programs integrated software algorithms to structure, analyze and leverage data in systems applications. Develops and communicates statistical modeling techniques to develop and evaluate algorithms to improve product/system performance, quality, data management and accuracy. Completes programming and implements efficiencies, performs testing and debugging. Completes documentation and procedures for installation and maintenance. Applies deep learning technologies to give computers the capability to visualize, learn and respond to complex situations. Can work with large scale computing frameworks, data analysis systems and modeling environments.
  • Design and implement key components of the Machine Learning Platform infrastructure and establish processes and best practices
  • Work cross-functionally with data scientists, data engineers, and IT teams to design, develop, deploy, and integrate high-performance, production-grade machine learning solutions and data intensive workflow
  • Partner with data scientists and data engineers to create and refine features from underlying data and build reproducible feature pipelines to train models and serve features in production
  • Partner with data platform and operations teams to solve complex data ingestion, pipeline and governance problems for machine learning solutions
  • Take ownership of production systems with a focus on delivery, continuous integration, and automation of machine learning workloads
  • Provide technical mentorship, guidance, and quality-focused code review to data scientists and ML engineers

Qualifications
What's needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline
  • 4-8 years of experience in managing technical teams and projects
  • 4+ years of experience in full software lifecycle development using Python
  • 4+ years of experience leading an ML Ops team familiar with large cloud environments, Big Data technologies
  • 4+ years in software development in Python, Java, PySpark
  • 4+ Years of Experience with Machine Learning and Machine Learning workflows
  • 3+ years of experience designing an developing using technologies as Docker, Kubernetes
  • Strong software engineering experience with Python and at least one additional language such as Java, Go, Rust, or C/C++
  • Understanding of machine learning principles and techniques
  • Experience with data science tools and frameworks (e.g. PyTorch, Tensorflow, Keras, Pandas, Numpy, Spark)
  • Experience designing and developing scalable cloud native solutions using technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes and serverless services such as AWS Lambda, EKS, ECS, Fargate
  • Experience building infrastructure-as-code templates (e.g. AWS CloudFormation) and cloud-native CI/CD pipelines using tools such as AWS CodePipeline
  • Experience building ETL pipelines and working with big data technologies (e.g. Hadoop, Spark, and serverless technologies such as EMR, Redshift, S3, AWS Glue, and Kinesis)
  • Knowledge of distributed systems as it pertains to compute and data storage
  • Strong desire to experiment with and learn new technologies and stay aligned with the latest community developments in ML Ops/Engineering and cloud native
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to prepare high-quality presentation materials and explain complex concepts and technical materials to less-technical audiences
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
  • Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
  • Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):
  • AWS Certified Solution Architect (Associate or Professional)
  • Experience working as a Machine Learning Engineer or Data Scientist building and productionalizing machine learning solutions
  • Experience building real-time event-driven stream processing solutions with technologies such as Kafka, Flink, and Spark
  • Experience with GPU acceleration (e.g. CUDA and CuDNN)
  • Experience with Kubernetes

What United Airlines employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


United Airlines logo

About United Airlines

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

United Airlines is embarking on an exciting journey to become the best airline in aviation history. Our purpose, "Connecting People, Uniting the World," extends beyond transportation, emphasizing our commitment to uplift and create opportunities in the places we serve. With a global presence and diverse workforce, we value inclusivity and are dedicated to hiring tens of thousands of individuals across various roles. Our comprehensive benefits package, including perks like space available travel, parental leave, and 401k, aims to support your well-being and growth.

Industry

Aviation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1926

Social media