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Junior Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

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 ...

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

Senior Engineer Machine Learning Position Overview Paylocity is growing its Machine Learning Engineering organization! Our machine learning engineering team is responsible for developing ...

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

Our machine learning engineering team is responsible for developing infrastructure and tooling to help enable data driven decisions and insights at scale for millions of Paylocity users. As a Senior ...

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

Senior Engineer Machine Learning Position Overview Paylocity is growing its Machine Learning Engineering organization! Our machine learning engineering team is responsible for developing ...

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 ...

This job will validate and develop machine learning models and algorithms to solve complex problems. You will work closely with senior engineers, data scientists, and product teams to enhance ...

This job will validate and develop machine learning models and algorithms to solve complex problems. You will work closely with senior engineers, data scientists, and product teams to enhance ...

Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$105K - $139K/yr

Lead Machine Learning Engineers at Thoughtworks use modern architectures to develop end-to-end scalable machine learning systems and applications. They use their specialized depth and breadth of ...

Senior AI Machine Learning Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$126K - $166K/yr

As a Senior Machine Learning Engineer , you will play a critical role in designing, building, and ... Work with junior engineers and peers to provide mentorship and thought leadership. Be comfortable ...

Must-Have Skills 3+ years of ML engineering experience -- model training, fine-tuning, or post-training pipelines in research or production Strong Python and deep learning proficiency (PyTorch ...

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

Hyatt seeks an extraordinary Machine Learning Engineer to help build the algorithmic assets and features that Hyatt guests, members, customers and internal users leverage to transform the guest ...

Must-Have Skills 3+ years of ML engineering experience -- model training, fine-tuning, or post-training pipelines in research or production Strong Python and deep learning proficiency (PyTorch ...

Must-Have Skills 3+ years of ML engineering experience -- model training, fine-tuning, or post-training pipelines in research or production Strong Python and deep learning proficiency (PyTorch ...

Must-Have Skills 3+ years of ML engineering experience -- model training, fine-tuning, or post-training pipelines in research or production Strong Python and deep learning proficiency (PyTorch ...

Machine Learning Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

$96K - $131K/yr

Develop and implement analytics techniques to transform data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages, visualization software, data modeling, and machine learning to ...

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Junior Machine Learning Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$34.5K

$74K

$112.8K

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

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior machine learning engineer in Chicago, IL is $73,964.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $82,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To succeed as a Junior Machine Learning Engineer, you need a solid grasp of programming (especially Python), foundational knowledge of algorithms and statistics, and a relevant degree in computer science, mathematics, or a related field. Familiarity with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch and tools like scikit-learn, as well as experience with version control systems like Git, are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn from feedback are valuable soft skills that help you adapt and grow in the field. These skills ensure you can effectively develop, test, and improve machine learning models while collaborating with more experienced engineers and contributing to team projects.

What kinds of projects and responsibilities can a Junior Machine Learning Engineer expect in their first year on the job?

As a Junior Machine Learning Engineer, you’ll typically work on tasks such as data preprocessing, building and testing simple models, and supporting more senior engineers in deploying machine learning solutions. Your responsibilities may also include cleaning datasets, implementing basic algorithms, and running experiments to evaluate model performance. You’ll often collaborate closely with data scientists, software engineers, and product teams to understand project goals and learn best practices. The role provides excellent opportunities to develop your technical skills, gain exposure to various stages of the ML pipeline, and gradually take on more complex projects as you grow.

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

AspectJunior Machine Learning EngineerData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS, Data Science, or related; some experience with ML frameworksBachelor's or higher in CS, Statistics, or related; often advanced certifications
Work EnvironmentDeveloping and deploying ML models, coding, testingData analysis, statistical modeling, interpreting data insights
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, startups, AI-focused firmsFinance, healthcare, tech, consulting
Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

While both roles involve working with data and machine learning, Junior Machine Learning Engineers focus on building and deploying models, often with coding and engineering skills. Data Scientists analyze data, create statistical models, and interpret insights. The roles overlap but differ mainly in their core responsibilities and skill emphasis.

What does a junior machine learning engineer do?

A junior machine learning engineer assists in developing, testing, and deploying machine learning models under supervision. They work with data preprocessing, feature engineering, and use tools like Python and libraries such as TensorFlow or scikit-learn to support AI projects. This role often requires foundational knowledge of algorithms, programming, and data analysis.

How much does a junior machine learning engineer make?

A junior machine learning engineer typically earns between $70,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on location, education, and industry. Entry-level roles often require knowledge of programming languages like Python and familiarity with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior machine learning engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in deep learning, and expertise in deploying large-scale models can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or within top tech companies. Achieving this level often requires advanced degrees, specialized certifications, and a strong track record of impactful projects.

What is a $900000 AI job?

A $900,000 AI job typically refers to high-level roles in artificial intelligence, such as senior machine learning engineers or AI research directors, often requiring advanced skills in deep learning, data science, and programming with tools like Python and TensorFlow. These positions usually involve leadership, strategic planning, and significant experience, and they tend to be found in large tech companies or specialized AI firms.

What Does a Junior Machine Learning Engineer Do?

As a junior machine learning engineer, you work in AI, performing research with algorithms and data modeling techniques. Machine learning involves using large collections of data to create systems that are capable of making predictions, and in this field, your duties and responsibilities revolve around using advanced mathematics to design applications for use in everything from stock trading to sports betting. Some machine learning efforts involve images, and this branch of the field is known as computer vision, while other techniques which focus on text are called natural language processing (NLP). Given these divisions, titles in machine learning include computer vision engineer, NLP scientist, or simply research scientist.

What are the most commonly searched types of Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Junior Machine Learning Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Junior Machine Learning Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Junior Machine Learning Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,964 per year, or $35.6 per hour.
Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineer

Strategic Employment

Chicago, IL • Hybrid

Other

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

A well-established, publicly traded company in Chicago is hiring its first full-time Machine Learning Engineer. After two years of running ML systems in production through an outside consulting firm, this organization is building the capability in-house. This is a hands-on individual contributor role where you would be building new ML pipelines and models, while also maintaining and improving what is already in production.

Hybrid: 3 days onsite, 2 days remote

Downtown Chicago

What You Bring:

  • 4+ Machine Learning engineering experience
  • Hands-on work building, deploying, and maintaining models in production
  • Python experience
  • Full pipeline experience: data ingestion, training, evaluation
  • Understand MLOps

Pluses:

  • AWS SageMaker experience
  • Generative AI
  • SQL and/or other relational databases

US work authorization required; sponsorship is not available.

If this sounds like the right scope for where you are in your career, we would like to hear from you.



Strategic Employment Partners logo

About Strategic Employment Partners

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Strategic Employment Partners (SEP) was founded in 2007, serving companies in the Greater Los Angeles area by providing Technology Recruiting and Placement Services. With the combined experience of our seasoned professionals, SEP quickly began to build strong partnerships and provide curated talent for some of the largest and fastest growing companies in Los Angeles. Since then, SEP has expanded its operations and currently has eight divisions nationwide.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

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