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Contract Machine Learning Startup Jobs in Chicago, IL

... of a startup, we're hiring. SageSure, a leader in catastrophe-exposed property insurance, is ... In this role, you will combine geospatial analytics, statistical modeling, machine learning, and ...

Sr AI/ML Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$102.40 - $179/hr

Summary:**In this role, you will design, build, and deploy scalable AI and machine learning ... Experience building AI/ML systems in startup, high-growth, or large-scale enterprise environments ...

Summary: In this role, you will design, build, and deploy scalable AI and machine learning ... Experience building AI/ML systems in startup, high-growth, or large-scale enterprise environments ...

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Contract Machine Learning Startup information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$30

$50

$102

How much do contract machine learning startup jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract machine learning startup in Chicago, IL is $50.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42.36 and $52.26 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract machine learning startup?

A Contract Machine Learning Startup is a company or team that provides machine learning solutions and services to clients on a contract basis. Instead of developing their own products, these startups typically work with other businesses to build custom machine learning models, analyze data, and help integrate AI technologies into existing workflows. They may offer expertise in areas such as natural language processing, computer vision, or predictive analytics, and usually operate on short-term or project-based contracts. This approach allows client companies to access specialized knowledge without hiring full-time data scientists or engineers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a contract machine learning startup role?

Success in a Contract Machine Learning Startup role generally requires expertise in machine learning algorithms, data analysis, and a solid background in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with programming languages such as Python or R, experience with ML frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch, and knowledge of cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) are typically expected. Strong problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication help professionals collaborate with clients and respond to rapidly changing project requirements. These skills and qualities are vital to deliver innovative, scalable solutions in fast-paced, outcome-driven startup environments.

What are some common challenges faced by machine learning professionals working on a contract basis at startups?

Machine learning professionals working as contractors at startups often face challenges such as rapidly changing project scopes, limited access to large datasets, and the need to quickly adapt to new tools and frameworks. Startups typically move fast, so contractors must be comfortable with ambiguity and prioritize delivering value in short timeframes. Additionally, they may need to collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, such as product managers and engineers, to ensure that machine learning solutions align with business goals.

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

AspectContract Machine Learning StartupData Scientist
CredentialsRelevant degrees, certifications in ML/AITypically similar credentials, often with advanced degrees
Work EnvironmentProject-based, startup setting, flexible hoursOffice or remote, corporate or research settings
Employer & IndustryStartups in tech, AI, or data-driven sectorsVaried industries including tech, finance, healthcare
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding contract roles in ML startupsExploring data science career options

Contract Machine Learning Startup roles focus on short-term, project-based work within startup environments, often requiring specialized skills in ML and AI. Data Scientists typically work in more established companies or research settings, with similar credentials but often in a full-time capacity. Both roles demand strong technical backgrounds, but contract roles offer flexibility and varied projects, while Data Scientists may have more stability and broader responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Machine Learning Startup jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Machine Learning Startup jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Contract Machine Learning Startup jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Contract Machine Learning Startup job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Machine Learning Startup job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% Internship, 30% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 10% Temporary, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,849 per year, or $50.4 per hour.

Manager, Data Scientist - Credit Review

Capital One

Riverwoods, IL

Full-time

Re-posted 18 hours ago


Capital One rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

93rd of 171 rated banks


Job description

Manager, Data Scientist - Credit Review

Data is at the center of everything we do. As a startup, we disrupted the credit card industry by individually personalizing every credit card offer using statistical modeling and the relational database, cutting edge technology in 1988! Fast-forward a few years, and this little innovation and our passion for data has skyrocketed us to a Fortune 200 company and a leader in the world of data-driven decision-making.

As a Data Scientist at Capital One, you'll be part of a team that's leading the next wave of disruption at a whole new scale, using the latest in computing and machine learning technologies and operating across billions of customer records to unlock the big opportunities that help everyday people save money, time and agony in their financial lives.

Team Description

In Capital One's Credit Review Models, Data and Innovative solutions team, we defend the company against model failures and find new ways of making better decisions with models. We use our statistics, software engineering, and business expertise to drive the best outcomes in both Risk Management and the Enterprise. We understand that we can't prepare for tomorrow by focusing on today, so we invest in the future: investing in new skills, building better tools, and maintaining a network of trusted partners.

We partner with best-in-class data scientists, analysts, credit risk management experts, and engineers to innovate solutions that directly impact the company's bottom line in a meaningful way. We do it all in a collaborative environment that values individual insight, encourages each associate to take on new responsibilities, promotes continuous learning, and rewards innovation.

Role Description

In this role, you will:

  • Leverage a broad stack of technologies, such as, Python, Conda, AWS, H2O, Spark, and more, to reveal the insights hidden within huge volumes of numeric and textual data

  • Build statistical and machine learning models to challenge the models in production

  • Flex your interpersonal skills to translate the complexity of your work into tangible business goals

  • Partner with a cross-functional team of data scientists, credit risk experts, and product managers to deliver a product customers love

The Ideal Candidate is:

  • Technical. You're comfortable with open-source languages and are passionate about developing further. You have hands-on experience developing data science solutions using open-source tools and cloud computing platforms.

  • Statistically-minded. You've built models, validated them, and backtested them. You know how to interpret a confusion matrix or a ROC curve. You have experience with clustering, classification, sentiment analysis, time series, and deep learning.

  • Innovative. You continually research and evaluate emerging technologies. You stay current on published state-of-the-art methods, technologies, and applications and seek out opportunities to apply them.

  • Creative. You thrive on bringing definition to big, undefined problems. You love asking questions and pushing hard to find answers. You're not afraid to share a new idea.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining one of the following with an expectation that the required degree will be obtained on or before the scheduled start date:

    • A Bachelor's Degree in a quantitative field (Statistics, Economics, Operations Research, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field) plus 6 years of experience performing data analytics

    • A Master's Degree in a quantitative field (Statistics, Economics, Operations Research, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field) or an MBA with a quantitative concentration plus 4 years of experience performing data analytics

    • A PhD in a quantitative field (Statistics, Economics, Operations Research, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field) plus 1 year of experience performing data analytics

  • At least 1 year of experience leveraging open source programming languages for large scale data analysis

  • At least 1 year of experience working with machine learning

  • At least 1 year of experience utilizing relational databases

Preferred Qualifications:

  • PhD in "STEM" field (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) plus 3 years of experience in data analytics

  • At least 4 years' experience in Python, Scala, or R for large scale data analysis

  • At least 4 years' experience with machine learning

  • At least 4 years' experience with predictive modeling

Capital One will consider sponsoring a new qualified applicant for employment authorization for this position.

The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount Capital One is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.

Charlotte, NC: $179,400 - $204,700 for Mgr, Data Science


McLean, VA: $197,300 - $225,100 for Mgr, Data Science


New York, NY: $215,200 - $245,600 for Mgr, Data Science


Plano, TX: $179,400 - $204,700 for Mgr, Data Science


Richmond, VA: $179,400 - $204,700 for Mgr, Data Science


Riverwoods, IL: $179,400 - $204,700 for Mgr, Data Science






Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate's offer letter.

This role is also eligible to earn performance based incentive compensation, which may include cash bonus(es) and/or long term incentives (LTI). Incentives could be discretionary or non discretionary depending on the plan.

Capital One offers a comprehensive, competitive, and inclusive set of health, financial and other benefits that support your total well-being. Learn more at theCapital One Careers website. Eligibility varies based on full or part-time status, exempt or non-exempt status, and management level.

This role is expected to accept applications for a minimum of 5 business days.No agencies please. Capital One is an equal opportunity employer (EOE, including disability/vet) committed to non-discrimination in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Capital One promotes a drug-free workplace. Capital One will consider for employment qualified applicants with a criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable laws regarding criminal background inquiries, including, to the extent applicable, Article 23-A of the New York Correction Law; San Francisco, California Police Code Article 49, Sections 4901-4920; New York City's Fair Chance Act; Philadelphia's Fair Criminal Records Screening Act; and other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding criminal background inquiries.

If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Capital One Recruiting at 1-800-304-9102 or via email at RecruitingAccommodation@capitalone.com. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

For technical support or questions about Capital One's recruiting process, please send an email to Careers@capitalone.com

Capital One does not provide, endorse nor guarantee and is not liable for third-party products, services, educational tools or other information available through this site.

Capital One Financial is made up of several different entities. Please note that any position posted in Canada is for Capital One Canada, any position posted in the United Kingdom is for Capital One Europe and any position posted in the Philippines is for Capital One Philippines Service Corp. (COPSSC).


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