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Founding Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Sunnyvale, CA

Known

AI / ML Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $375K/yr

Known - Founding Machine Learning Engineer * San Francisco, CA (In-Person) * 200k-375k Cash + Equity Known is a matchmaker that talks to users and supports them like a friend. Our mission is to ...

Tapestry

Machine Learning Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

About the role: We're looking for an early career Machine Learning Engineer to join our team. In this role you will build and deploy state of the art machine learning models to solve complex ...

Winaxis

Machine Learning Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

Machine Learning Engineer Location: Fremont, CA (Local) Onsite interview Duration: 12+ Mos H1B Only h1 candidate About the Role: Our direct client is hiring a Machine Learning Engineer for their ...

MM International

Machine Learning Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

Machine Learning Engineer Location: Fremont, CA once the documents are verified, a Codility assessment will be shared with the candidate, where they need to score a minimum of 70% and post that, a ...

Pattern AI

Machine Learning Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

Company Description PatternAI is an automated machine learning platform that reveals critical patterns in data for narrow business problems. We're seeking an outstanding ML Engineer to join our data ...

Pattern AI

Machine Learning Engineer

San Mateo, CA

Company Description PatternAI is an automated machine learning platform that reveals critical patterns in data for narrow business problems. We're seeking an outstanding ML Engineer to join our data ...

Apple

Machine Learning Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Description Apple's Video Computer Vision (VCV) Face and Body technologies team is looking for a skilled Machine Learning Engineer with experience developing ML models for computer vision and ...

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Founding Machine Learning Engineer information

See Sunnyvale, CA salary details

$37K

$151.1K

$227.1K

How much do founding machine learning engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for founding machine learning engineer in Sunnyvale, CA is $151,130.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,100.00 and $181,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Founding Machine Learning Engineer?

A Founding Machine Learning Engineer is one of the first technical team members at a startup who specializes in designing, building, and deploying machine learning systems. This role involves working closely with the founders to set the technical direction, build core AI products, and establish best practices for data and model development. In addition to hands-on coding and experimentation, a Founding Machine Learning Engineer often influences product decisions and helps shape the company's engineering culture. The role typically requires a blend of deep technical expertise, startup agility, and a willingness to tackle both high-level strategy and low-level engineering tasks.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

A founding machine learning engineer at top tech companies or successful startups can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including base salary, bonuses, and equity. Such roles typically require advanced skills in deep learning, data modeling, and experience with large-scale systems, along with a strong track record of innovation and leadership.

What are some unique challenges and expectations for a Founding Machine Learning Engineer in an early-stage startup?

As a Founding Machine Learning Engineer, you'll face the unique challenge of building the company's machine learning infrastructure from the ground up, often with limited resources and rapidly evolving requirements. You'll be expected to wear many hats, from designing and deploying models to setting up data pipelines and collaborating closely with product and engineering teams. Your role will also involve making critical decisions about technology stacks and best practices that will shape the company's technical direction. Additionally, you'll have significant influence on the company's culture and have ample opportunities for growth as the team expands.

What is a founding ML engineer?

A founding machine learning engineer is a key technical team member involved in building and developing the company's initial machine learning systems and infrastructure. They typically have strong skills in programming, data modeling, and deploying ML models, often working closely with product teams during the startup or early-stage company formation. This role requires a combination of technical expertise and entrepreneurial mindset to shape the company's AI capabilities from the ground up.

Is a machine learning engineer still in demand?

Yes, machine learning engineers are in high demand due to the increasing adoption of AI and data-driven solutions across industries. They are sought after for their skills in algorithms, programming, and tools like Python and TensorFlow, with job growth expected to continue as AI applications expand.

Which 5 jobs will survive AI?

Founding Machine Learning Engineers are likely to continue playing a crucial role as AI advances, focusing on developing and deploying complex models that require specialized skills in programming, data science, and system architecture. Jobs that involve high levels of creativity, strategic decision-making, and human interaction—such as healthcare professionals, educators, skilled trades, and roles in management—are also expected to persist despite AI automation. These positions typically require emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and adaptability that AI cannot easily replicate.

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

To thrive as a Founding Machine Learning Engineer, you need deep expertise in machine learning algorithms, software engineering, and data science, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as Python, TensorFlow or PyTorch, cloud platforms, and experience deploying ML models in production are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, entrepreneurial mindset, and excellent communication skills set standout candidates apart. These skills and qualities are vital for driving innovation, building scalable solutions from scratch, and collaborating within a fast-paced startup environment.
What are popular job titles related to Founding Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA? For Founding Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Founding Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Founding Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA are:
What cities near Sunnyvale, CA are hiring for Founding Machine Learning Engineer jobs? Cities near Sunnyvale, CA with the most Founding Machine Learning Engineer job openings:
Founding Machine Learning Engineer jobs near you

Founding Machine Learning Engineer

Orbit Neuro

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$225K - $275K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

About the company
We're a team of engineers, neuroscientists, and designers solving the most difficult and meaningful challenge: understanding the human brain. Our translational brain computer interface and pioneering models decode emotion, putting experience and wellbeing at the center of every interaction.
Our wearable BCI achieves fMRI-comparable resolution untethered to the lab. It's this advancement that enables us to build foundation models of emotion.
We're looking for people to help us build and scale. If you want to work on deep technology with real impact, and help define the future of brain-computer interfaces and AI, join us.
We're backed by the founders and execs of the leading companies in AI, neurotech, consumer hardware and pharmaceuticals - including Google, Hugging Face, Apple, Stability, Microsoft and Dropbox. We're venture funded.
About the team we are building
We're building a generational founding team which is truly full-stack - from neural sensors to complex models. If you want to work on deep technological problems and help pioneer the future of NeuroAI, this is the place for you. Projects have opportunities for a high degree of autonomy and demand intense, fast-paced learning.
You will:
  • Critically evaluate and implement the best machine learning approaches for our unique design problems in neural data
  • Work with real-time, multi-dimensional, multimodal datasets
  • Collaborate closely with neuroscience, hardware, and software teams to co-design end-to-end systems
  • Explore new model architectures and perform detailed experimentation and analysis
  • Learn neuroimaging and neuroscience context (we will support you in getting up to speed)
You have:
  • An BS or higher in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related STEM field (exceptional self-taught researchers also considered)
  • 3+ years of applied ML research or development experience, or equivalent depth through publications, projects, or startup work
  • Strong Python programming skills with experience in PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX
  • Built and iterated quickly on ML models and pipelines
  • Experience with data preprocessing, labeling, and exploratory analysis
  • Agility working with multimodal data (e.g., imaging + time series, text + audio)
  • Proven ability to thrive in small, fast-moving teams
You might also have:
  • Publications in top ML or domain-specific journals/conferences
  • Experience with biomedical, neuroimaging, or other high-dimensional sensor data
  • A background in signal processing for time-series or imaging data
  • Experience with distributed or large-scale training (e.g., mixed precision, very large datasets)
  • Knowledge of semi-supervised or self-supervised approaches
  • Excitement to learn neuroimaging and neuroscience context

Apply