Senior Machine Learning Researcher Jobs in Portland, OR

Futures start here. Where first steps, new friendships, and confident learners are born. At KinderCare Learning Companies, the first and only early childhood education provider recognized with the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award, we offer a variety of early education and child care options for families. Whether it's KinderCare Learning Centers, Champions, or Creme de la Creme, we build confidence for kids, families, and the future we share. And we want you to join us in shaping it-in neighborhoods, at work, and in schools nationwide.

At KinderCare Learning Companies, you'll use your skills and expertise to support the work (and fun) that happens in our sites and centers every day. From marketers and strategists to financial analysts and data engineers, and so much more, we're all passionate about crafting a world where children, families, and organizations can thrive.

As a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, you will apply your deep expertise in the Databricks Lakehouse Platform to develop, build, and operationalize scalable, production-grade predictive modeling applications within a modern enterprise data ecosystem.

You will lead end-to-end ML workflows in Databricks-including feature engineering, model training, deployment, monitoring, and optimization-working with tools like Delta Lake, MLflow tracking system, and feature management services, AutoML, Model Serving, along with Unity Catalog capabilities.

This role combines ML Engineering, Applied Data Science, and Platform Enablement, with a focus on building governed, adaptable ML platforms that speed up the deployment of AI technologies within enterprise environments. You will partner with Data Engineering, Analytics, and Product teams to deliver scalable AI solutions, establish ML standard processes, and help define the organization's ML engineering standards.

• Databricks-Native ML Development: Design, develop, and deploy machine learning solutions using Databricks technologies including PySpark, Spark SQL, MLflow, Feature Store, AutoML, and notebooks to standardize experimentation and feature reuse.
• End-to-End ML Pipeline Architecture: Build scalable ML pipelines across the full lifecycle-from data ingestion and feature engineering to model validation, deployment, monitoring, and retraining within the Lakehouse platform.
• MLOps & Model Lifecycle Management: Implement CI/CD, model versioning, governance, automated retraining, and production deployment using MLflow Model Registry, Databricks Workflows, and Model Serving.
• Advanced Databricks Capabilities: Leverage AutoML, Mosaic AI components, vector search, and Model Serving to accelerate experimentation and enterprise AI adoption while maintaining governance and scalability.
• Applied Data Science & Mentorship: Perform exploratory analysis and apply statistical and machine learning techniques including regression, classification, and clustering. Mentor junior developers and analytics professionals on ML guidelines and operationalization.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Data Engineering, Analytics, Product, and business collaborators to align AI solutions with enterprise architecture, governance, and business objectives.
• Performance, Governance & Reliability: Optimize Spark performance and cost efficiency while implementing monitoring, alerting, lineage tracking, and access controls through Unity Catalog and related governance frameworks.
• Platform Enablement & Scalability: Develop reusable frameworks, templates, and standards that accelerate scalable, governed ML adoption across the organization.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related quantitative field (or equivalent experience). Master's degree or higher in a related field preferred.
• 4+ years of experience in Machine Learning Engineering or Data Engineering, with significant hands-on expertise in Databricks technologies including Delta Lake, MLflow, Feature Store, and Unity Catalog.
• Success in delivering production-grade ML pipelines end-to-end, from data ingestion and feature engineering through deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
• Experience using AI-assisted development tools such as Cursor, Claude, or GitHub Copilot to accelerate development, testing, and optimization of distributed ML workloads.
• Strong proficiency in Python, PySpark, and Spark SQL, with deep knowledge of distributed computing, Spark optimization, and scalable ML architecture.
• Experience designing Databricks-native ML solutions employing platform capabilities such as MLflow, AutoML, Feature Store, Delta Lake, and Model Serving.
• Familiarity with CI/CD and DevOps tooling including GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, or GitLab CI.
• Hands-on experience building and evaluating ML models using frameworks such as scikit-learn, XGBoost, or LightGBM.
• Solid grasp of feature engineering, experiment tracking, model validation, and performance evaluation. Experience with RAG architectures, vector databases, embedding pipelines, and LLM-based applications is a plus.
• Ability to mentor engineers and data scientists, lead technical discussions, and influence ML engineering methodologies across teams.
• Experience building reusable ML frameworks and modernizing legacy workflows into scalable, governed Databricks-native pipelines.

#LI-Remote

Our benefits meet you where you are. We're here to help our employees navigate the integration of work and life:
- Know your whole family is supported with discounted child care benefits.

- Breathe easy with medical, dental, and vision benefits for your family (and pets, too!).
- Feel supported in your mental health and personal growth with employee assistance programs.
- Feel great and thrive with access to health and wellness programs, paid time off and discounts for work necessities, such as cell phones.
- ... and much more.

We operate research-backed, accredited, and customizable programs in more than 2,000 sites and centers across 40 states and the District of Columbia. As we expand, we're matching the needs of more and more families, dynamic work environments, and diverse communities from coast to coast. Because we believe every family deserves access to high-quality child care, no matter who they are or where they live. Every day, you'll help bring this mission to life by building community and delivering exceptional experiences. And if you're anything like us, you'll come for the work, and stay for the people.

KinderCare Learning Companies is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.