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Machine Learning Engineer Opt Jobs in Santa Barbara, CA

AppFolio, Inc.

Sr. Machine Learning Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site +1

$116K - $159K/yr

Who We Are Looking For We're hiring a Senior Machine Learning Engineer to design and ship the next generation of voice and conversational AI agents within Realm-X. This role helps define AppFolio ...

AppFolio

Sr. Machine Learning Engineer

Goleta, CA

$112K - $154K/yr

Who We Are Looking For We're hiring a Senior Machine Learning Engineer to design and ship the next generation of voice and conversational AI agents within Realm-X. This role helps define AppFolio ...

AppFolio

Staff Machine Learning Engineer

Goleta, CA

Who We Are Looking For We're hiring a Staff Machine Learning Engineer to help move forward the ML platform that every AI initiative at AppFolio depends on -- training, fine-tuning, inference, RAG ...

AppFolio

Sr. Machine Learning Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA

$112K - $154K/yr

Who We Are Looking For We're hiring a Senior Machine Learning Engineer to design and ship the next generation of voice and conversational AI agents within Realm-X. This role helps define AppFolio ...

Toyon

Deep Learning Algorithm Developer

Goleta, CA

$120K - $200K/yr

Toyon has openings for researchers and developers to solve challenging real-world problems using Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) techniques. Experience in Computer Vision is ...

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All JobsMachine Learning Engineer Opt JobsMachine Learning Engineer Opt Jobs in Santa Barbara, CA

Machine Learning Engineer Opt information

See Santa Barbara, CA salary details

$35K

$143.3K

$215.3K

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

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for machine learning engineer opt in Santa Barbara, CA is $143,278.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,900.00 and $172,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a machine learning engineer?

Machine Learning Engineers are specialized software engineers who design, build, and deploy machine learning models into production environments. They work at the intersection of software engineering and data science, transforming data-driven prototypes into scalable, reliable systems that organizations can use to make predictions or automate tasks. Their responsibilities include data preprocessing, choosing appropriate algorithms, model training, and ensuring the model's performance in real-world applications. Machine Learning Engineers often collaborate with data scientists, data engineers, and product teams to deliver intelligent solutions.

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

AspectMachine Learning Engineer OptData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in CS, AI, or related fields; certifications in ML toolsBachelor's or Master's in CS, Statistics, or related fields; data analysis certifications
Work EnvironmentDevelops, tests, and deploys ML models in production systemsAnalyzes data, builds models, and provides insights for decision-making
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, AI startups, e-commerce, financeResearch institutions, tech firms, consulting, finance
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for technical skills and deployment focusCompared for data analysis and business insights

Machine Learning Engineers Opt focus on deploying scalable ML models in production environments, while Data Scientists primarily analyze data and develop models for insights. Both roles require strong technical skills, but their core responsibilities differ in application and deployment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a machine learning engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Machine Learning Engineer, you need a solid background in mathematics, statistics, and programming (especially Python), typically supported by a degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with machine learning frameworks (such as TensorFlow, PyTorch), data processing tools, and cloud platforms, along with relevant certifications, is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving ability, collaboration, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities ensure the successful development, deployment, and integration of machine learning solutions that drive business value.

What are some common challenges machine learning engineers face when deploying models to production environments?

Machine Learning Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring model scalability, handling data drift, and integrating models seamlessly with existing systems when deploying to production. Monitoring model performance in real time and retraining models as new data becomes available are also critical tasks. Collaboration with data engineers and DevOps teams is essential to address infrastructure and deployment hurdles while maintaining model accuracy and reliability.
What are popular job titles related to Machine Learning Engineer Opt jobs in Santa Barbara, CA? For Machine Learning Engineer Opt jobs in Santa Barbara, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Machine Learning Engineer Opt jobs in Santa Barbara, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Machine Learning Engineer Opt jobs in Santa Barbara, CA are:
What cities near Santa Barbara, CA are hiring for Machine Learning Engineer Opt jobs? Cities near Santa Barbara, CA with the most Machine Learning Engineer Opt job openings:
Machine Learning Engineer Opt jobs near you
Infographic showing various Machine Learning Engineer Opt job openings in Santa Barbara, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $143,278 per year, or $68.9 per hour.

Machine Learning Engineer

Quantum Machines

Santa Barbara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Description
Quantum Machines (QM) is a global leader in quantum computing control systems. Through our pioneering hardware and software solutions based on instruction-based quantum control, we're revolutionizing how quantum computers are built and controlled. As we stand at the forefront of exponential growth in quantum computing, we're assembling an elite team that actively shapes the evolution of quantum technologies.
We are looking for a Machine Learning Engineer to design, build, and deploy machine learning systems that improve the calibration, control, and operation of quantum processors. In this role, you will work at the intersection of machine learning, quantum physics, and software engineering, translating noisy, non-stationary, safety-critical control problems into ML solutions that run on real hardware in production labs.
You will develop reinforcement learning policies, Bayesian inference methods, and agentic frameworks that make quantum control more autonomous, more sample-efficient, and more robust to drift. This position offers unprecedented exposure to diverse qubit types and quantum architectures, with a tight feedback loop between your models and the systems they steer, and the opportunity to deliver groundbreaking ML-driven solutions to the labs and companies defining the next generation of quantum systems.
Responsibilities:
  • Develop reinforcement learning, Bayesian inference, and probabilistic modelling approaches for parameter tuning, drift tracking, and adaptive measurement, to be deployed on real hardware.
  • Develop real-time parameter steering for calibration during QEC and between circuits.
  • Develop and maintain agentic frameworks for autonomous system control and calibration.
  • Develop and maintain Python-based ML services and libraries that integrate with the wider Quantum Machines control stack, including QUA, Qualibrate, and the OPX1000.
  • Work directly with customers and partner labs to deploy, validate, and iterate on ML solutions in real experimental environments.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with product, R&D, and hardware teams, contributing to internal libraries, customer-facing SDKs, and training materials.

Requirements
  • PhD/Master in Machine Learning, Physics, Applied Physics, Quantum Information Science, or a related field. 4+ years of relevant experience
  • Strong background in Machine Learning and Deep Learning, with hands-on experience in at least one of: deep learning, reinforcement learning, agentic AI
  • Strong Python proficiency, including scientific or systems-oriented codebases
  • Solid software engineering fundamentals (architecture, Git workflows, testing, code review)
  • Proven track record of taking ML from prototype to deployment under real-world constraints - non-stationary data, expensive evaluations, or safety-critical action spaces. Robotics, online control, autonomous vehicles, or hardware-in-the-loop ML all transfer well
  • Strong problem-solving skills and customer-focused mindset; ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams
  • Proven software development track record and excellent technical communication skills
  • Familiarity with quantum computing concepts - qubit calibration, randomized benchmarking, QEC, optimal control- advantage
  • Experience with sim-to-real, multi-objective RL, or meta-learning- advantage

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