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Reinforcement Learning Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Serve as a thought leader, evangelizing the benefits of AI testing & reinforcement learning ... Collaborate cross-functionally (e.g., sales, marketing, product, engineering) to continuously ...

Principal Applied Scientist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$214K - $350K/yr

Mentors data scientists, machine learning engineers, researchers, and technical leaders. Minimum ... Experience with generative artificial intelligence, large language models, reinforcement learning ...

Principal Applied Scientist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$214K - $350K/yr

Mentors data scientists, machine learning engineers, researchers, and technical leaders. Minimum ... Experience with generative artificial intelligence, large language models, reinforcement learning ...

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Showing results 1-20

Reinforcement Learning Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$39.1K

$119.4K

$197.3K

How much do reinforcement learning engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for reinforcement learning engineer in Chicago, IL is $119,357.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,500.00 and $156,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Reinforcement Learning Engineers?

Reinforcement Learning Engineers are specialized professionals who design, develop, and implement algorithms based on reinforcement learning, a type of machine learning where agents learn to make decisions by receiving rewards or penalties. They work on building models that enable machines to learn optimal actions through trial and error in complex environments. Their responsibilities often include developing RL architectures, tuning hyperparameters, running simulations, and applying RL methods to real-world problems like robotics, gaming, or recommendation systems. RL Engineers typically have strong backgrounds in computer science, mathematics, and deep learning, along with experience in programming languages like Python and frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.

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

To thrive as a Reinforcement Learning Engineer, you need a strong background in machine learning, mathematics (especially probability and statistics), and programming languages like Python, often supported by a relevant degree in computer science or engineering. Familiarity with deep learning frameworks (such as TensorFlow or PyTorch), RL libraries (like OpenAI Gym), and cloud computing platforms is typically required. Problem-solving skills, creativity, and effective collaboration help set outstanding engineers apart in this field. These competencies enable the design and deployment of advanced RL solutions that address real-world challenges and drive innovation.

What are some common challenges faced by Reinforcement Learning Engineers when deploying models in real-world environments?

One of the main challenges Reinforcement Learning (RL) Engineers face is bridging the gap between simulation and real-world deployment. Models that perform well in controlled environments may struggle with unpredictable data, safety constraints, or limited feedback in production. Additionally, RL algorithms often require significant computational resources and careful tuning to avoid instability. Collaboration with domain experts and software engineers is essential to address these issues and ensure successful integration of RL solutions into existing systems.

What is the difference between Reinforcement Learning Engineer vs Machine Learning Engineer?

AspectReinforcement Learning EngineerMachine Learning Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS, AI, or related; experience with RL frameworksBachelor's/Master's in CS, Data Science, or related; experience with ML algorithms
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, AI startups, tech companies focusing on RL applicationsTech companies, data-driven firms, AI departments across industries
Industry UsageSpecialized in RL projects like robotics, game AI, autonomous systemsBroader applications including predictive modeling, NLP, computer vision

Reinforcement Learning Engineers focus on developing algorithms that learn through interactions with environments, often in robotics or gaming. Machine Learning Engineers work on a wider range of models and applications. While both roles require strong programming and math skills, RL Engineers specialize in sequential decision-making, whereas ML Engineers handle diverse data-driven tasks across industries.

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Reinforcement Learning Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Reinforcement Learning Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Reinforcement Learning Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, and 28% Contract. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,357 per year, or $57.4 per hour.
AI & Machine Learning Engineer

AI & Machine Learning Engineer

Lightspeed

Northbrook, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
LightSpeed Build Technologies is revolutionizing the construction industry through AI-powered robotics. As an AI & Machine Learning Engineer, you will design, build, and deploy intelligent systems for construction robots, focusing on machine learning models for computer vision, predictive analytics, and process optimization.
Responsibilities:
• Design, train, and deploy ML models for robotic control, quality prediction, and process optimization
• Develop reinforcement learning and imitation learning systems for robot task planning
• Build predictive maintenance models using sensor data to anticipate equipment failures
• Implement anomaly detection for real-time quality monitoring during automated assembly
• Optimize model inference for edge deployment on GPU-accelerated hardware in production
• Develop deep learning pipelines for object detection, segmentation, and pose estimation
• Build real-time vision systems for robotic guidance, workpiece tracking, and dimensional verification
• Implement 3D point cloud processing for construction material recognition
• Design and train models for visual quality inspection using depth cameras and industrial imaging
• Build ML data pipelines from sensor acquisition through model training and deployment
• Establish data labeling, versioning, and management workflows for training datasets
• Implement model monitoring, A/B testing, and continuous improvement in production
• Design experiment tracking and reproducibility infrastructure (MLflow, Weights & Biases)
• Integrate ML models with ROS2-based robot control for real-time inference
• Optimize models for NVIDIA Jetson, industrial PCs, and edge computing platforms
• Collaborate with robotics engineers on sensor selection, placement, and calibration
• Support scaling ML systems across multiple production cells and sites
Qualifications:
Required:
• 4+ years hands-on ML engineering building and deploying production models
• Deep proficiency with PyTorch or TensorFlow for model development and training
• Strong computer vision experience: object detection, segmentation, depth estimation, or 3D vision
• Understanding of reinforcement learning, imitation learning, or robot learning approaches
• Experience optimizing ML models for edge deployment (TensorRT, ONNX, quantization)
• Strong Python with experience in C++ for performance-critical components
• Experience with ML infrastructure: data pipelines, experiment tracking, model serving
• Proficiency with Linux, Docker, Git, and CI/CD workflows
• Understanding of real-time system constraints for ML inference in production
Preferred:
• MS or PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Robotics, or related field
• Experience with robotics simulation: MuJoCo, IsaacSIM, or similar
• Background in manufacturing, industrial automation, or construction technology
• Experience with ROS/ROS2 integration for ML-powered robotics
• Published research or patents in computer vision, robot learning, or related ML
• Experience with NVIDIA ecosystem: CUDA, cuDNN, TensorRT, Jetson platforms
Company:
BUILDING TOMORROW'S HOMES, FASTER AND SMARTER The Lightspeed Integrated Walls, Floors and Roof Systems are built with advanced software and AI driven industrial robots, allowing us to seamlessly craft the walls, floors and roofs, integrating the framing, MEPs, insulation, and drywall in a single, efficient manufacturing line. Founded in , the company is headquartered in , , with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.