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Freelance Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in California

NTENT

Machine Learning Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

Machine Learning Engineer Position: Full time Location: Carlsbad office About Us: NTENT provides a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), allowing industry partners to customize, localize and integrate search ...

NTENT

Machine Learning Engineer

Carlsbad, CA

Machine Learning Engineer Position: Full time Location: Carlsbad office About Us: NTENT provides a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), allowing industry partners to customize, localize and integrate search ...

Advatix Inc.

Machine Learning Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$110 - $165/hr

Machine Learning Engineer / Research Engineer Pay: $$110,000 - $165,000 Base Salary + Equity Shift: N/A Location: San Mateo, CA (Peninsula) - Onsite Preferred Schedule: Full time, Permanent Role Visa ...

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 ...

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 ...

Compunnel

Machine Learning Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Job Summary The Machine Learning Engineer will lead the development of advanced Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence solutions that support large-scale business applications and customer ...

New

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

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 ...

PROPRIUS

Machine Learning Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Machine Learning Engineer Location: San Francisco, CA Sponsorship: No Relocation: No Industry: Machine Learning Join an artificial intelligence company in San Francisco that excels at visual ...

Qubeaxis

Machine Learning Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130 - $180/hr

Job Title Machine Learning Engineer Job ID 20985 Location Work Mode Onsite About the Team Our ML Platform team builds intelligent systems that power recommendations, forecasting, ranking ...

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Freelance Machine Learning Engineer information

See California salary details

$14

$47

$130

How much do freelance machine learning engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance machine learning engineer in California is $47.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.94 and $60.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a freelance machine learning engineer do?

A Freelance Machine Learning Engineer designs, develops, and implements machine learning models and algorithms for clients on a project basis. They work independently to analyze data, build predictive models, and help businesses solve complex problems using AI and machine learning techniques. Their responsibilities may also include data preprocessing, model evaluation, and deploying solutions into production environments. Freelance Machine Learning Engineers often collaborate remotely with teams and must manage their own schedules and client relationships.

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

To thrive as a Freelance Machine Learning Engineer, you need expertise in programming (especially Python), a solid grasp of machine learning algorithms, and a relevant academic background such as a degree in computer science, mathematics, or engineering. Familiarity with frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), and experience with version control systems are typically required. Strong problem-solving, self-management, and client communication skills help set successful freelancers apart. These competencies are crucial for delivering effective solutions, managing projects independently, and building client trust in a competitive market.

How do freelance machine learning engineers typically manage client expectations and project scopes?

Freelance machine learning engineers often work with clients who may not have a deep technical understanding of AI or data science. A common challenge is clearly defining the project scope and deliverables at the outset, ensuring both parties understand what is feasible given the data, time, and budget constraints. Successful freelancers use regular progress updates, milestone-based deliverables, and transparent communication to manage expectations and avoid scope creep. Building trust through clear documentation and setting realistic timelines also helps foster long-term client relationships.

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

AspectFreelance Machine Learning EngineerData Scientist
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in computer science, data science, or related fields; certifications in machine learning or AI are a plusUsually holds a degree in statistics, data science, or related areas; certifications in data analysis or visualization are common
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based work often remotely for various clientsOften employed full-time in organizations or consulting roles, sometimes freelance
Industry UsageUsed across tech, finance, healthcare, and startups for deploying ML modelsApplied in research, analytics, and strategic decision-making across industries

Freelance Machine Learning Engineers focus on developing and deploying ML models independently for diverse clients, while Data Scientists analyze data to extract insights, often working within organizations. Both roles require strong technical skills, but their work scope and environment differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Machine Learning Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Machine Learning Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Machine Learning Engineer jobs in California? For Freelance Machine Learning Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Machine Learning Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Machine Learning Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Freelance Machine Learning Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Freelance Machine Learning Engineer job openings:
Freelance Machine Learning Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Machine Learning Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,931 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

Machine Learning Engineer

Recruiting from Scratch

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Recruiting from Scratch represents a dynamic and innovative company in the healthcare AI sector that is on a mission to transform healthcare operations through advanced machine learning. The Machine Learning Engineer will develop and optimize machine learning models to enhance healthcare operations and collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate solutions into existing workflows.
Responsibilities:
• Develop and optimize machine learning models using Python, PyTorch, and TensorFlow to enhance healthcare operations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate machine learning solutions into existing workflows and systems.
• Conduct experiments and analyze data to improve model performance and accuracy.
• Implement best practices in machine learning and software engineering to ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 3+ years of experience in machine learning engineering or a related field.
• Proficient in Python and experienced with frameworks such as PyTorch and TensorFlow.
• Strong understanding of machine learning algorithms and their applications in real-world scenarios.
• Experience in developing and deploying scalable machine learning models.
Preferred:
• Familiarity with healthcare data and understanding of industry-specific challenges.
• Experience with cloud platforms and deployment of machine learning solutions in production environments.
• Knowledge of data preprocessing and feature engineering techniques.
Company:
A recruiting agency working with technology companies to help them hire software engineers, data roles, product managers, and hardware. Founded in 2021, the company is headquartered in Albany, USA, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.
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About Recruiting from Scratch

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Recruiting from Scratch is a premier talent firm that focuses on placing the best product managers, software, and hardware talent at innovative companies. Our team is 100% remote and we work with teams across the United States to help them hire. We work with companies funded by the best investors including Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed Ventures, Tiger Global Management, A16Z, Accel, DFJ, and more.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

2021

Social media

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