Freelance Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Phoenix, AZ

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Kforce has a client that is seeking a Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) Engineer (Snowflake) in Phoenix, AZ.
Summary:
We are seeking a Senior MLOps Engineer to help design and build an enterprise-scale machine learning platform from the ground up. This is a unique opportunity to establish a modern MLOps ecosystem on Snowflake, supporting end-to-end model development, deployment, and lifecycle management.
The platform will be built on a medallion architecture (Bronze, Silver, Gold), enabling machine learning models to consume trusted, governed data products with full lineage, scalability, and performance. This role will play a key part in shaping standards, processes, and tooling as the platform evolves from MVP to enterprise scale.
Key Responsibilities:
* Architect and build a production-grade MLOps platform on Snowflake, leveraging Snowpark, Snowflake ML, Model Registry, and Feature Store
* Design and operationalize reusable pipelines for training, validation, deployment, inference, and monitoring
* Align ML workflows with Bronze, Silver, and Gold medallion layers to ensure consistent use of trusted data
* Establish model lifecycle management standards, including versioning, approvals, promotion gates, and rollback strategies
* Partner with data scientists to productionize models into scalable, reliable services
* Implement model observability for performance, drift, bias, and data quality, with alerting and SLOs
* Automate retraining and refresh processes using Snowflake Tasks, Dynamic Tables, and event-driven orchestration
* Collaborate with data engineering teams to ensure reliable and reusable feature pipelines
* Define and implement CI/CD pipelines for ML systems, including testing frameworks and release controls
* Drive governance across security, compliance, auditability, reproducibility, and responsible AI practices
* Lead platform maturation, including documentation, developer enablement, and operational runbooks
REQUIREMENTS:
* 5+ years of experience in ML Engineering, MLOps, or platform engineering
* Strong Python and SQL skills, with experience building production ML pipelines
* Hands-on experience with Snowflake data platforms (Snowpark and Snowflake ML strongly preferred)
* Experience with model deployment, versioning, monitoring, and lifecycle governance
* Experience implementing CI/CD and testing strategies for ML systems
* Strong understanding of feature engineering, training-serving consistency, and data quality controls
* Experience working with cloud platforms (AWS preferred)
* Proven ability to collaborate across data science, data engineering, and business teams
Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience with Snowflake Model Registry and Feature Store
* Background in medallion/lakehouse data architectures
* Experience with dbt or similar transformation tools
* Familiarity with streaming or near real-time ML inference
* Experience in high-volume operational environments (e.g., logistics, fleet, routing)
* Prior experience building greenfield platforms and establishing standards from scratch
This role can be performed fully remotely but there is a preference for Phoenix local talent. This role has the potential to convert to FTE with Kforce's client.
The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.
We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.
Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.
This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.
Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
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