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Machine Learning Researcher Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Unitytech

Machine Learning Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$117K - $152K/yr

We're looking for a Machine Learning Engineer to join our Offline Infrastructure team. This is an ... Working closely with experienced engineers and researchers, you'll contribute to systems that ...

Poesis

Machine Learning Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $280K/yr

Rapidly implement and iterate on machine learning models, signals and research ideas * Design and run experiments to evaluate and improve model and agent performance and investment impact * Build ...

Gotion, Inc.

Machine Learning Engineer

Fremont, CA

You will collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary R&D teams to develop and deploy machine learning solutions that address real-world challenges in advanced materials, electrochemical systems, and ...

Skild AI

Machine Learning Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$100K - $300K/yr

This will require close collaboration with our robotics, research, and engineering team. Your work ... Deep understanding of state-of-the-art machine learning techniques and models. * Extensive industry ...

Goodfire

Machine Learning Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Goodfire is a research company focused on understanding and designing AI systems. They are seeking Machine Learning Engineers to build their platform for training, evaluating, and deploying ...

Skild AI

Machine Learning Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

This will require close collaboration with our robotics, research, and engineering team. Your work ... Deep understanding of state-of-the-art machine learning techniques and models. * Extensive industry ...

Profluent

Machine Learning Research Engineer

Emeryville, CA · On-site +1

$237K/yr

We're looking for an experienced Machine Learning Engineer to build and improve the models and ML ... Partner with ML and protein design scientists to prototype research ideas and bring them into ...

Goodfire

Machine Learning Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Goodfire is a research company focused on building safe and powerful AI systems. They are seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to contribute to the development of tools and infrastructure for ...

Goodfire

Machine Learning Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Goodfire is a research company focused on advancing the science of AI interpretability. They are seeking Machine Learning Engineers to build their platform for training, evaluating, and deploying ...

Goodfire

Machine Learning Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Goodfire is an AI interpretability research company focused on understanding and designing AI systems that people can trust. The Machine Learning Engineer will play a central role in building the ...

Goodfire

Machine Learning Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

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 ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsMachine Learning Researcher JobsMachine Learning Researcher Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Machine Learning Researcher information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$36.7K

$138.5K

$201.4K

How much do machine learning researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for machine learning researcher in Berkeley, CA is $138,486.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,000.00 and $188,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a machine learning researcher do?

A Machine Learning Researcher designs, develops, and tests algorithms and models that allow computers to learn from and make decisions based on data. They often work on advancing the field by exploring new methods, improving existing algorithms, and publishing their findings. These researchers collaborate with engineers and data scientists to apply their research to practical problems in areas like computer vision, natural language processing, and robotics. Their work typically involves a combination of mathematics, statistics, programming, and experimentation.

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

To thrive as a Machine Learning Researcher, you need deep expertise in mathematics, statistics, programming (typically Python), and a strong academic background in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch and experience with tools for data analysis and model development are standard, often supported by advanced degrees or relevant certifications. Critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication are vital soft skills for developing novel solutions and collaborating across interdisciplinary teams. These skills enable researchers to design innovative algorithms, validate models rigorously, and contribute impactful advancements in the field.

What are some common challenges machine learning researchers face when transitioning from academic research to industry roles?

Machine Learning Researchers often find that transitioning to industry involves adapting to faster project timelines, collaborative workflows, and a focus on scalable, real-world solutions rather than theoretical advances alone. In industry, you'll likely work closely with cross-functional teams, such as software engineers and product managers, to ensure models are both practical and maintainable. Balancing innovation with business objectives, handling production constraints, and communicating complex findings to non-technical stakeholders are some of the key challenges you may encounter.

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

AspectMachine Learning ResearcherData Scientist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees in CS, ML, or related fields; research experienceDegree in CS, statistics, or related; strong analytical skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsBusiness environments, tech companies, consulting
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutions, tech firmsCorporations, startups, finance, healthcare
Common Search & ComparisonFocus on theoretical ML advancementsFocus on data analysis & business insights

While both roles involve working with data and algorithms, Machine Learning Researchers primarily focus on developing new algorithms and advancing ML theory, often in research or academic settings. Data Scientists apply these techniques to analyze data, generate insights, and support business decisions in industry environments.

What are popular job titles related to Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Berkeley, CA?

For Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Berkeley, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Berkeley, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Berkeley, CA are:

What cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for Machine Learning Researcher jobs?

Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most Machine Learning Researcher job openings:

Machine Learning Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Machine Learning Researcher job openings in Berkeley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,486 per year, or $66.6 per hour.

Senior / Staff Machine Learning Research Engineer

Calico

South San Francisco, CA • On-site

$220K - $290K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Who We Are:

Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Calico's highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science and, with academic and industry partners, its vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.

Position Description:

Calico seeks Machine Learning Research Engineers to join our rapidly growing ML team. You will play a critical role establishing the engineering culture for frontier ML research in drug discovery. You will bring a high level of engineering rigor to our machine learning efforts, and accelerate our research maturing into tangible clinical and product impact.

This will be a high agency role designed for a builder who wants to operate as a founding member of a new functional group. 

Please note: No biology or life sciences background is required for this role.

Position Responsibilities:

You will drive the engineering vision behind our machine learning models, from identifying high-impact research engineering opportunities to delivering production-grade systems. Partnering closely with  biology-fluent ML researchers and Data Engineers, your responsibilities will span the following areas:

  • Research Engineering: 
    • Proactively identify emerging engineering gaps required for expanding our research capabilities
    • Architect solutions for complex systems challenges, such as asynchronous execution, hardware orchestration, and high-throughput data pipelines
    • Build foundational libraries that enforce software engineering rigor
  • Model Implementation and Optimization: 
    • Translate prototype models (e.g., diffusion networks, vision transformers, and DNA sequence models) into highly-optimized JAX or PyTorch code on accelerators
    • Dive deep into model architectures to optimize training and inference performance, implementing advanced strategies such as model parallelism
  • Force Multiplier: 
    • Design and implement evaluation frameworks, benchmarks, and scientific workflow tools that accelerate the research lifecycle and allow the team to rapidly test promising ideas
Position Requirements:
  • A strong intellectual curiosity for life sciences
  • BS/MS with 7+ years or PhD with 4+ years of relevant ML software engineering experience in industry or academia
  • Expertise in Python and JAX or PyTorch
  • Hands-on experience building, training, or optimizing advanced ML architectures (e.g., transformers, diffusion networks, GNNs)
  • Experience driving complex machine learning engineering projects from concept to production
  • Must be willing to work onsite at least four days a week
Nice to Have:
  • Advanced degree in computer science or a relevant field
  • Experience working with biological, medical, or chemistry datasets
  • Contributions to open-source ML projects or relevant academic publications
  • Experience training models across distributed systems and optimizing performance
  • Experience with cloud infrastructure (e.g., GCP, Kubernetes, Docker)

The estimated base salary range for this role is $220,000 - $290,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.


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