Staff Software Engineer Machine Learning Jobs in Chicago, IL

How You'll Make an Impact
A subsidiary of Publicis Groupe, Epsilon is a leading provider of multi-channel marketing services, technologies, and database solutions. At Epsilon, we do more than collect and store data. We help some of the world's biggest brands discover real opportunities inside the data types, delimiters and decimals.
We're looking for an outstanding Staff Software Engineer to provide technical leadership across multiple critical initiatives on an established, high-performing team. This is a hands-on engineering leadership role - you will own the design, delivery, and operational health of solutions end-to-end, from architecture through production support. You will lead our progress toward development practices improved by artificial intelligence. You will guide by example with AI-assisted development based on clear specifications while maintaining the engineering rigor our production systems require.
The right candidate offers deep expertise in Java/Spring Boot backend services and Databricks/Spark data platforms, the anchors of our current stack. They have a proven ability to mentor engineers, improve code quality, and collaborate with engineering, product, and architecture leadership.
Responsibilities
What You'll Achieve

• Take end-to-end ownership of solutions - from architecture and development through deployment, operations, and client-facing production support. This is not just a development role; strong DevOps sensibility and operational accountability are expected.
• Champion AI-assisted development based on detailed specifications as a core engineering practice across teams. Lead by example using tools like Cursor, Claude Code, and Kiro - and actively drive adoption so the broader engineering organization evolves with the industry.
• Architect, build, and integrate RAG-based solutions and Agentic AI workflows into enterprise systems.
• Lead design and delivery of Java/Spring Boot backend services and Databricks/Spark data platform solutions - the two anchors of our current production stack.
• Provide technical leadership in architecture reviews, sprint planning, and code review sessions; enforce coding standards and engineering guidelines.
• Mentor and develop engineers across the team. Focus especially on development practices guided by artificial intelligence and production-quality engineering.
• Collaborate across product, data, platform, and cross-functional teams to plan and deliver features aligned with the Epsilon PeopleCloud Platform.

Qualifications
Experience & Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of hands-on software engineering experience; 5+ years in cloud environments
• Demonstrated experience leading and mentoring engineering teams

Core Technical Skills

• Strong expertise in Java (Spring Boot or equivalent frameworks) and Python; Scala a plus
• Strong knowledge of Apache Spark and Databricks (Unity Catalog, Delta Lake, Workflows, Live Tables)
• Expertise in SQL, data warehousing, data streaming, and relational/NoSQL databases
• Solid understanding of REST APIs, microservices, and distributed systems
• Practical knowledge of at least one major cloud platform (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Experience with IaC tools (Terraform or Ansible), CI/CD pipelines, Docker, and Kubernetes

AI-Driven Development

• Mandatory hands-on, day-to-day usage of spec-driven AI assisted development using tools such as Cursor, Claude Code, or Kiro
• Ability to validate, refine, and productionize AI-generated code against explicit technical specifications
• Mandatory hands-on experience with RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) architectures
• Mandatory hands-on experience with Agentic AI systems (tool-using agents, orchestration, multi-step reasoning workflows)

Engineering Mindset

• Strong sense of operational ownership - comfortable supporting production systems, resolving incidents, and engaging on client-impacting issues
• Outstanding communication skills; proven ability to influence technical direction and collaborate across engineering, product, and architecture teams
• Experience in Test-Driven Development and agile scrum environments

Why you might stand out from other talent:

• Certifications in any of the subject areas listed above
• Frontend exposure (Angular or similar frameworks)
• Observability, monitoring, and performance tuning experience
• Experience working in Unix/Linux environments, including scripting and automation

Click here to view how Epsilon transforms marketing with 1 View, 1 Vision, 1 Voice.
Additional Information
When You Join Us, We'll Create Something EPIC Together
Epsilon is a global data, technology and services company that powers the marketing and advertising ecosystem. For decades, we've provided marketers from the world's leading brands the data, technology and services they need to engage consumers with 1 View, 1 Vision and 1 Voice. 1 View of their universe of potential buyers. 1 Vision for engaging each individual. And 1 Voice to harmonize engagement across paid, owned and earned channels.
Epsilon's comprehensive portfolio of capabilities across our suite of digital media, messaging and loyalty solutions bridge the divide between marketing and advertising technology. We process 400+ billion consumer actions each day using advanced AI and hold many patents of proprietary technology, including real-time modeling languages and consumer privacy advancements. Thanks to the work of every employee, Epsilon has been consistently recognized as industry-leading by Forrester, Adweek and the MRC. Epsilon is a global company with more than 9,000 employees around the world.
Our pillars aren't just words. They're how we show up every day.

• People centricity: We focus on employee well-being in an environment where colleagues truly care about each other.
• Collaboration: We work together, support one another, and collectively achieve goals.
• Growth: There are endless opportunities for growth through learning, development and career advancement.
• Innovation: We drive progress through cutting-edge solutions and forward-thinking approaches.
• Flexibility: We've created a balance between work and personal life, and we encourage adaptability to solve problems creatively.

Our values guide us to create value for our clients, our people and consumers.

• Act with integrity
• Work together to win together
• Innovate with purpose
• Respect all voices
• Empower with accountability

These pillars and values are our foundation-shaping our culture, guiding our decisions, and uniting us in common purpose.
Because You Matter
As an Epsilon employee, you deserve perks and benefits that put you, your family and your finances first. Our benefits encompass a wide range of offerings, including but not limited to the following:

• Time to Recharge: Flexible time off (FTO), 15 paid holidays
• Time to Recover: Paid sick time
• Family Well-Being: Parental/new child leave, childcare & elder care assistance, adoption assistance
• Extra Perks: Comprehensive health coverage, 401(k), tuition assistance, commuter benefits, professional development, employee recognition, charitable donation matching, health coaching and counseling

Epsilon benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms.
Epsilon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Epsilon's policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on actual or perceived race, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy), marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. Epsilon also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. Epsilon will provide accommodations to applicants needing accommodations to complete the application process. Please reach out to LeaveofAbsence@epsilon.com to request an accommodation.
For San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles Areas: Epsilon will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Applicants with criminal histories are welcome to apply.
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Compensation Range: USD $105,000.00 - USD $195,000.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 8/20/2026.