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Machine Learning Mentor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$123K - $169K/yr

Mentorship: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a culture of learning ... Experience with machine learning frameworks and libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch)

Experience mentoring others Nice to have: * Experience with recommendation systems, including ... Machine Learning * Experience fine-tuning and productionizing transformer-based models at scale ...

Through our cutting-edge machine learning, data science, and anti-fraud AI, we have served over 18 ... Mentor and manage a team of Staff and Senior-level ML Engineers. Foster a culture of technical ...

Through our cutting-edge machine learning, data science, and anti-fraud AI, we have served over 18 ... Mentor and manage a team of Staff and Senior-level ML Engineers. Foster a culture of technical ...

Through our cutting-edge machine learning, data science, and anti-fraud AI, we have served over 18 ... Mentor and manage a team of Staff and Senior-level ML Engineers. Foster a culture of technical ...

Through our cutting-edge machine learning, data science, and anti-fraud AI, we have served over 18 ... Mentor and manage a team of Staff and Senior-level ML Engineers. Foster a culture of technical ...

DS interns will have a designated data scientist mentor and will spend the majority of their time working on a data science project overseen by that mentor. The expectation is that at the end of the ...

Mentor and elevate other engineers through technical leadership, code review, and systems-level thinking * Help shape the long-term ML roadmap as we apply machine learning in a domain where it has ...

DS interns will have a designated data scientist mentor and will spend the majority of their time working on a data science project overseen by that mentor. The expectation is that at the end of the ...

Mentor and elevate other engineers through technical leadership, code review, and systems-level thinking * Help shape the long-term ML roadmap as we apply machine learning in a domain where it has ...

Showing results 41-60

Machine Learning Mentor information

What is a machine learning mentor?

Machine Learning Mentors are experienced professionals who guide and support individuals learning about machine learning concepts, tools, and workflows. They provide personalized advice, help solve technical challenges, and offer career guidance in the field. Mentors can work in educational institutions, bootcamps, online platforms, or as independent consultants, tailoring their support to each learner’s needs. Their goal is to accelerate a learner’s progress and help them build practical skills for real-world applications.

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

To thrive as a Machine Learning Mentor, you need a deep understanding of machine learning algorithms, data analysis, and programming languages like Python, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Jupyter notebooks, and experience with cloud platforms or version control systems is typical. Outstanding communication, patience, and the ability to adapt your teaching style are crucial soft skills for effectively guiding and inspiring mentees. These skills enable mentors to convey complex concepts clearly, foster growth in learners, and ensure successful knowledge transfer.

What are the most common challenges faced by machine learning mentors when supporting learners, and how can these be navigated?

Machine Learning Mentors often encounter challenges such as addressing diverse learning backgrounds, keeping up with rapidly evolving technologies, and helping mentees bridge the gap between theory and practical application. Navigating these challenges involves tailoring guidance to individual learning styles, continuously updating personal knowledge, and providing real-world project examples. Effective communication and fostering a supportive learning environment are also key to ensuring mentee success and engagement.

What is the difference between Machine Learning Mentor vs Data Scientist?

AspectMachine Learning MentorData Scientist
Required CredentialsTypically requires experience in machine learning, teaching skills, and certifications in AI/MLRequires degrees in data science, statistics, or related fields; certifications are common
Work EnvironmentOften works in educational, training, or corporate mentorship settingsWorks in data analysis, modeling, and research within organizations
Employer & Industry UsageFound in educational institutions, online platforms, and corporate training programsEmployed in tech companies, finance, healthcare, and research institutions
Common Search & Comparison IntentPeople compare to understand mentorship roles in ML educationPeople compare to understand data analysis and modeling roles

While both roles involve machine learning, a Machine Learning Mentor primarily focuses on teaching, guiding, and mentoring others in ML concepts and techniques. In contrast, a Data Scientist applies ML methods to analyze data, build models, and generate insights within organizations.

What cities in California are hiring for Machine Learning Mentor jobs?

Cities in California with the most Machine Learning Mentor job openings:

Infographic showing various Machine Learning Mentor job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Kikoff
Software Development • 11 - 50 employees

$123K - $169K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Kikoff: The Fintech Powering Financial Security at Scale
Kikoff is a profitable, pre-IPO fintech company on a mission to empower everyone to achieve financial security. With record revenue growth in 2025 and a unicorn valuation, we've built a suite of products that help millions of people build credit, access liquidity, and save money.
We're scaling fast. Join us if you want to build something meaningful and help millions of people move forward financially.
Why Kikoff:
This is a consumer fintech startup, and you will be working with serial entrepreneurs who have built strong consumer brands and innovative products. We value extreme ownership, clear communication, a strong sense of craftsmanship, and the desire to create lasting work and work relationships. Yes, you can build an exciting business AND have real-life real-customer impact.
We are seeking a Senior Machine Learning Engineer to join our team. This role will focus on developing and maintaining machine learning infrastructure and operations, particularly for our cash advance underwriting model and other machine learning use cases. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in software development, machine learning, and data engineering, with experience in deploying scalable ML models in production environments.
Key Responsibilities:
  • ML Infrastructure and Operations: Design, build and maintain the infrastructure required for optimal extraction, transformation, and loading of data from various sources. Develop and manage data pipelines and workflows for machine learning models.
  • Model Development and Deployment: Design, develop, and implement machine learning models for underwriting and other financial service applications. Ensure models are robust, scalable, and maintainable.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with data scientists, software engineers, and product managers to integrate machine learning models into production systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand business requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
  • Performance Monitoring: Monitor and evaluate the performance of deployed models, ensuring they meet the desired accuracy and efficiency metrics. Implement processes for continuous improvement and optimization of models.
  • A/B Testing and Experimentation: Design and implement experiments to optimize models and ensure they align with business goals.
  • Mentorship: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a culture of learning and growth within the team.

Qualifications:
  • Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
  • Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in machine learning engineering, with a proven track record of deploying ML models in production environments.
  • Technical Skills:
    • Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or Ruby.
    • Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software design principles.
    • Experience with machine learning frameworks and libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
    • Familiarity with MLOps practices and tools for continuous integration and deployment of ML models.
    • Experience with cloud services (e.g., AWS, GCP) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
  • Analytical Skills: Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze complex data sets, apply advanced data science techniques, and derive actionable insights. Proficient in building predictive models, performing statistical analysis, and utilizing machine learning algorithms to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for optimization.
  • Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

What we're like:
- Scrappy. We had a product goal and put out the MVP, collecting our first users with steady growth via paid channels in four months. We don't cut corners when we know we'll need them but we don't build things without that need. We don't like inefficiency but we dislike operationalizing one-off tasks even more.
- Risk-oriented. Everything has risk, but a mature team knows how to make these tradeoffs. That's why we built the MVP fast--because time is your most valuable asset and is practically fungible with money in the startup world.
- Data-obsessed. We all look at data and pull it, and we believe that understanding the mechanics can yield valuable insights. Complex systems require elegant, not just simple solutions. You absolutely need to be interested in data if you want to leverage your knowledge of systems.
- Lucky. That's how we look at this journey so far. From our timing of fundraising, to the circumstances in which we came together, to the initial product traction we're getting, there's no other word to describe it. We are grateful you are reading this, and we know that if you're meant to be with us on this journey, then we will see you soon.
Base Range
$244,000-$292,000 USD
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Kikoff Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.
Please reference the following for more information.