1

Senior Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Pasadena, CA

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Burbank, CA

$111K - $153K/yr

Senior Machine Learning Engineer Team: Data & Audience Platform (DAP) - ML Engineering What We Do Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is home to the world's most iconic entertainment, news, and sports ...

As a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, you will play a key role in designing, building, and scaling advanced software systems to automate Design for Manufacturing analysis. Responsibilities : • ...

As a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, you will design, build, and scale advanced software systems that automate Design for Manufacturing analysis, leveraging deep learning and computer vision ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Senior Machine Learning Engineer information

See Pasadena, CA salary details

$64.9K

$138K

$200.2K

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

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior machine learning engineer in Pasadena, CA is $138,049.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,000.00 and $156,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior machine learning engineer do?

A Senior Machine Learning Engineer designs, develops, and implements machine learning models to solve complex problems. They are responsible for selecting appropriate algorithms, preprocessing data, and optimizing model performance. Additionally, they collaborate with data scientists, software engineers, and product teams to integrate machine learning solutions into production systems. Senior engineers also mentor junior team members and contribute to setting technical direction for machine learning projects.

What are some common challenges senior machine learning engineers face when deploying models to production, and how can they be addressed?

Senior Machine Learning Engineers often encounter challenges related to model scalability, maintaining performance in real-world scenarios, and ensuring reliable integration with existing systems. Addressing these challenges typically involves thorough testing, implementing robust monitoring for model drift, and collaborating closely with DevOps and software engineering teams to streamline deployment pipelines. Staying updated on best practices in MLOps and adopting tools for automated deployment and monitoring can greatly improve the reliability and efficiency of production models.

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

To thrive as a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, you need advanced knowledge of machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, and programming languages like Python or Java, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with frameworks and tools such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, and cloud platforms, as well as familiarity with version control and CI/CD systems, is essential. Strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills help you collaborate effectively and mentor junior team members. These capabilities are crucial for designing scalable ML solutions and driving impactful results within complex, dynamic projects.

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

AspectSenior Machine Learning EngineerData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS, ML, or related; experience with ML frameworksBachelor's/Master's in CS, Statistics, or related; strong analytical skills
Work EnvironmentDevelops and deploys ML models in production systemsAnalyzes data, builds models, and provides insights
Industry UsageTech, finance, healthcare, e-commerceResearch, finance, marketing, tech

While both roles require strong technical skills and knowledge of machine learning, Senior Machine Learning Engineers focus more on deploying scalable ML solutions in production environments, whereas Data Scientists primarily analyze data and develop models for insights. The roles often overlap but differ in their core responsibilities and focus areas.

What are the most commonly searched types of Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Pasadena, CA?

The most popular types of Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Pasadena, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Pasadena, CA?

For Senior Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Pasadena, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Pasadena, CA are hiring for Senior Machine Learning Engineer jobs?

Cities near Pasadena, CA with the most Senior Machine Learning Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Machine Learning Engineer job openings in Pasadena, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,049 per year, or $66.4 per hour.

Senior Machine Learning Engineer II

Long Beach, CA • On-site


Rocket Lab Corporation
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 201 - 500 employees

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 72 rated aerospace companies

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Paid breaks


$128K - $169K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it's a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space - our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR MACHINE LEARNING ENGINEER II

Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Machine Learning Engineer II based at our Optical Systems sites in Long Beach, CA, you will have the opportunity to support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) and beyond by building deep learning neural networks for advanced Electro-Optical (EO/IR) image processing.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

  • Contribute your experience to developing solutions for real-world problems.
  • Design, train, and deploy machine learning models for Optical Systems applications
  • Build and maintain ML pipelines for data ingestion, feature engineering, training, and inference.
  • Collaborate with other researchers/engineers on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision.
  • Preform rapid prototyping and enhanced development to be integrated into operational systems.
  • Perform troubleshooting, bug fixes, and maintenance of existing and new systems.
  • Stay current with ML research and evaluate new tools, frameworks, and techniques

 WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IN A SENIOR MACHINE LEARNING ENGINEER II:

  • Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of experience, master's degree and 6+ years of experience, or a Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
  • Strong background in machine learning including model selection, architecting, training, validation, testing, and deployment
  • Experience in building deep learning neural network for computer vision, image processing, or video analysis (e.g., object detection, image segmentation, and tracking)
  • Strong math background, particularly linear algebra
  • Proficiency in Python
  • Experience with deep learning libraries (Keras, TensorFlow, Pytorch, etc)
  • Software engineering fundamentals: version control, testing, CI/CD, containerization
  • U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
  • Ability to obtain and maintain an U.S. Government Security Clearance

NICE TO HAVE: 

  • Proficiency in C/C++/Rust
  • Experience curating quality, real-world datasets for training deep learning models
  • TS/SCI security clearance

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.



What Rocket Lab employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom