What Is a Junior Machine Learning Engineer and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

As a junior machine learning engineer, you work in AI, performing research with algorithms and data modeling techniques. Machine learning involves using large collections of data to create systems that are capable of making predictions, and in this field, your duties and responsibilities revolve around using advanced mathematics to design applications for use in everything from stock trading to sports betting. Some machine learning efforts involve images, and this branch of the field is known as computer vision, while other techniques which focus on text are called natural language processing (NLP). Given these divisions, titles in machine learning include computer vision engineer, NLP scientist, or simply research scientist.

Working in machine learning requires skills and qualifications in computer science. You should have a solid understanding of programming languages like Python and R, as well as skills in data modeling, analytics, and statistics. To get a job as a junior machine learning engineer, earn a bachelor’s degree in data science, statistics, or programming. Many employers prefer candidates who have earned a master’s or doctoral degree and have a background in neural networks, probability theory, or a related discipline. You should also be familiar with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow and SciKit-learn and comfortable working with very large collections of structured and unstructured data.