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Freelance Machine Learning Data Annotation Jobs in Downers Grove, IL

As a premier provider of complex, data-driven marketing solutions, we help CMOs and marketing ... We are seeking a Machine Learning Engineer (MLOps) to support the productionization of traditional ...

Oversee teams of data scientists, modelers, and ML engineers to deliver innovative and scalable ... Strategic Leadership and Vision Provide strategic direction for the organization's machine learning ...

Oversee teams of data scientists, modelers, and ML engineers to deliver innovative and scalable ... Strategic Leadership and Vision Provide strategic direction for the organization's machine learning ...

Machine Learning Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site

$225 - $275/hr

That means digging into large-scale transaction and behavioral data, shipping production fraud ... in machine learning, applied data science, or production ML roles * Demonstrated experience ...

Machine Learning Tutor

Wheaton, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Guides students through data preprocessing, feature selection, building and comparing ... Familiar with machine learning curricula and common challenges such as understanding bias-variance ...

Guides students through data preprocessing, feature selection, building and comparing ... Familiar with machine learning curricula and common challenges such as understanding bias-variance ...

Guides students through data preprocessing, feature selection, building and comparing ... Familiar with machine learning curricula and common challenges such as understanding bias-variance ...

Machine Learning Tutor

Chicago, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Guides students through data preprocessing, feature selection, building and comparing ... Familiar with machine learning curricula and common challenges such as understanding bias-variance ...

Showing results 21-40

Freelance Machine Learning Data Annotation information

See Downers Grove, IL salary details

$12

$21

$35

How much do freelance machine learning data annotation jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance machine learning data annotation in Downers Grove, IL is $21.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.26 and $24.95 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is freelance machine learning data annotation?

Freelance machine learning data annotation involves labeling or tagging data—such as images, text, audio, or video—to help train machine learning models. As a freelancer, you work independently or through platforms, completing specific annotation tasks assigned by companies or researchers. This work is essential because high-quality labeled data is required for AI systems to learn and make accurate predictions. Annotators may categorize images, transcribe speech, or highlight relevant information in documents. The flexibility of freelancing allows you to choose projects and work remotely.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance machine learning data annotation specialist?

To thrive as a Freelance Machine Learning Data Annotation specialist, you need attention to detail, basic knowledge of data labeling concepts, and familiarity with machine learning data types. Experience with annotation tools (such as Labelbox, RectLabel, or CVAT) and understanding of data privacy protocols are commonly required. Strong communication, time management, and the ability to follow complex guidelines are essential soft skills for delivering accurate results. These skills ensure high-quality, consistent data annotation, which is critical for effective machine learning model training and performance.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance machine learning data annotators, and how can they be managed?

Freelance machine learning data annotators often encounter challenges such as maintaining data accuracy, handling repetitive tasks, and understanding complex annotation guidelines. Staying organized and regularly reviewing project instructions can help ensure consistency and quality in annotations. Additionally, communicating proactively with project managers and utilizing annotation tools efficiently can help manage workload and clarify uncertainties. Building expertise in different data types (text, image, audio) also allows annotators to diversify their projects and reduce monotony.

What is the difference between Freelance Machine Learning Data Annotation vs Data Labeler?

AspectFreelance Machine Learning Data AnnotationData Labeler
CredentialsBasic understanding of annotation tools, sometimes with specialized domain knowledgeTypically no formal credentials required
Work EnvironmentRemote, flexible, project-basedOften remote or in-house, depending on employer
Industry UsageUsed in AI/ML development for training datasetsUsed in data preparation for various industries, including AI
Search/Comparison IntentFocuses on freelance opportunities, project scope, and toolsMore general, often employed by companies for data labeling tasks

Freelance Machine Learning Data Annotation involves independently completing annotation tasks for AI models, often with specialized tools and domain knowledge. Data Labelers typically perform similar tasks but may work as employees or contractors within a company. The main difference lies in the freelance nature and project-based work of data annotation roles.

Can I work for freelance machine learning data annotation with no experience?

Freelance machine learning data annotation jobs often do not require prior experience, as many tasks involve simple labeling or categorization that can be learned quickly. Basic computer skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with annotation tools are helpful, and training is usually provided. However, building a portfolio or gaining some familiarity with data annotation platforms can improve job prospects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Machine Learning Data Annotation jobs in Downers Grove, IL?

The most popular types of Machine Learning Data Annotation jobs in Downers Grove, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Machine Learning Data Annotation jobs in Downers Grove, IL?

For Freelance Machine Learning Data Annotation jobs in Downers Grove, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Machine Learning Data Annotation jobs in Downers Grove, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Machine Learning Data Annotation jobs in Downers Grove, IL are:

What cities near Downers Grove, IL are hiring for Freelance Machine Learning Data Annotation jobs?

Cities near Downers Grove, IL with the most Freelance Machine Learning Data Annotation job openings:

Machine Learning Engineer

Socket.dev

Oakbrook Terrace, IL • On-site

$110 - $145/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Overview

Darwill is a nationally recognized print and marketing communications firm based in the west suburbs of Chicago. As a premier provider of complex, data-driven marketing solutions, we help CMOs and marketing leaders drive measurable performance through advanced analytics, automation, and AI-powered insights.

We are seeking a Machine Learning Engineer (MLOps) to support the productionization of traditional machine learning models (e.g., propensity and segmentation models) while also building and maintaining the core data pipelines on Databricks that power our analytics and modeling platforms.

This role is intentionally scoped for a mid-level engineer: someone with enough experience to work independently and make sound engineering decisions, but who is still hands-on, execution-focused, and eager to grow. This is not an entry-level position, and it is not a principal or architect-level role.

Location

Chicago, IL area (Oak Brook / West Suburbs)

Hybrid work model with 1–2 days onsite per week required

Reports To

VP of Data Engineering & Data Science

Responsibilities / Essential Functions Data Engineering & Platform Foundations
  • Design, build, and maintain ETL pipelines in Databricks using Spark and Delta Lake
  • Independently implement data transformations, joins, and aggregations across large, multi-source datasets
  • Build and maintain data validation and quality checks to ensure reliability of downstream analytics and ML workflows
  • Optimize Databricks jobs for performance, scalability, and cost efficiency
  • Write and maintain clear technical documentation for data pipelines and tables
ML Engineering & MLOps
  • Partner closely with Data Scientists to support traditional ML model development, including feature engineering, training, validation, and deployment
  • Productionize propensity, ranking, and segmentation models used in large-scale marketing campaigns
  • Build and maintain repeatable ML pipelines for training, batch scoring, and inference
  • Implement model versioning, experiment tracking, and reproducibility standards
  • Support model performance monitoring, drift detection, and retraining cycles
Deployment, Monitoring & Operations
  • Deploy data pipelines and ML workflows into production environments serving millions of records
  • Implement monitoring and alerting for data and ML pipelines
  • Support A/B testing and model performance evaluation in partnership with Data Science
  • Troubleshoot production issues independently and collaborate effectively when escalation is needed
GenAI (Secondary / Directional)
  • Contribute to GenAI initiatives as capacity allows
  • Stay informed on emerging AI technologies and tooling
  • (GenAI is not the primary focus of this role today.)
Required Qualifications Experience
  • 3–6 years of professional experience in machine learning engineering, data engineering, or a closely related role
  • Experience working in production environments with minimal day-to-day supervision
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with Data Scientists and translate models into production systems
Technical Skills (Must-Have) Data Engineering & Platform
  • Apache Spark (PySpark, SparkSQL)
  • Databricks (ETL pipelines, workflows, Delta Lake)
  • Strong SQL skills (complex queries, joins, window functions, optimization)
  • Experience building and maintaining scalable data pipelines
Programming & Machine Learning
  • Python (pandas, numpy, scikit-learn; experience with XGBoost or LightGBM preferred)
  • Feature engineering and data preparation for ML models
  • Working knowledge of supervised learning models (classification, regression, ranking)
MLOps & Production
  • Experience deploying ML models into production
  • Model versioning and experiment tracking (e.g., MLflow or similar)
  • Monitoring data quality and model performance in production
  • Supporting retraining and validation workflows
Cloud & Tooling
  • Experience with a major cloud platform (Databrick, AWS)
  • Familiarity with workflow orchestration tools (Databricks Workflows or similar)
Preferred Qualifications (Nice-to-Have)
  • Experience with propensity modeling, customer segmentation, or marketing analytics
  • Exposure to CI/CD concepts for data and ML pipelines
  • Experience with Docker or containerized deployments
  • Exposure to GenAI, LLMs, or RAG-based systems
  • Master’s degree in Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field
  • Seniority Level
    Associate
  • Industry
    • Marketing Services
  • Employment Type
    Full-time
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