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Freelance Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in California

They are seeking Machine Learning Engineers to develop their platform for training, evaluating, and deploying interpretable AI systems at scale, contributing to various aspects such as ...

Machine Learning Engineer

Chatsworth, CA ยท On-site

$160K - $190K/yr

We are looking for a Machine Learning Engineer to join our team and help us push the boundaries of what's possible in smart manufacturing. In this role, you will design, build, train, and deploy ...

We're hiring an Machine Learning Engineer as the volume and complexity of legal AI workflows in our system scale rapidly. As more firms rely on Eve to automate high-stakes legal work - from intake ...

About the Role We are looking for a machine learning engineer to build and advance the core intelligence that powers Ensense AI. You will work directly with the founders to design models, build ...

New

They are seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to design and develop scalable training pipelines for multimodal AI systems, collaborating with data engineering and research teams to drive the technical ...

Machine Learning Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Bachelor degree with 4+ years experience as a machine learning engineer * AND 2+ years of Python and PyTorch or TensorFlow experience * Must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain necessary ...

Bachelor degree with 4+ years experience as a machine learning engineer * AND 2+ years of Python and PyTorch or TensorFlow experience * AND 2+ years of experience with RF signal processing * Must be ...

BeeGenius is building the future of work, and they are seeking an AI/Machine Learning Engineer to join their team. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing machine ...

The Machine Learning Engineer will design and develop scalable training pipelines for multimodal AI systems, collaborate with data engineering and research teams, and influence core decisions around ...

We are looking for a Machine Learning Engineer to join and play a big part in the next revolution of Maps; to enable users to find more things in innovative ways. On our team, you will have plenty of ...

Our team comprises a diverse range of backgrounds, including applied machine learning engineers with a focus on ML and LLM, and experienced distributed systems engineers. As such, we are seeking ...

Machine Learning Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $277K/yr

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 ...

Nace AI is a company focused on machine learning solutions, and they are seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to translate cutting-edge research into scalable, production-ready solutions. The role ...

Role Summary We are seeking a highly motivated Machine Learning Engineer with a strong background in model architecture design and algorithm development, ideally with experience in scientific domains ...

Showing results 41-60

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 Sep 2, 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:

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

Goodfire

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

Job Summary:
Goodfire is a research company focused on building safe and powerful AI systems through interpretability. They are seeking Machine Learning Engineers to develop their platform for training, evaluating, and deploying interpretable AI systems at scale, contributing to various aspects such as interpretability tools and training infrastructure.
Responsibilities:
โ€ข Turn cutting edge interpretability research into production ready tools.
โ€ข Optimize pipelines and infrastructure for frontier model interpretability, training, and inference.
โ€ข Integrate new machine learning workflows and pipelines into our product and deploy to customers.
โ€ข Ensure system reliability, reproducibility, and performance.
Qualifications:
Required:
โ€ข 5+ years of experience in ML infra, research engineering, or systems programming.
โ€ข Comfort working across research and engineering boundaries.
โ€ข Expertise in Python, PyTorch or Jax, and distributed systems.
โ€ข Experience deploying and maintaining ML systems at scale.
โ€ข You care about understanding how models work internally and using that to make them more reliable and useful in the real world.
Preferred:
โ€ข Open-source ML infra contributions.
โ€ข Startup or frontier lab experience in fast-moving teams.
Company:
Goodfire is an AI research lab using interpretability to turn AI into something that can be understood, debugged, and shaped like software Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.