Junior AI & Machine Learning Engineer/Data Scientist
The Junior AI & Machine Learning Engineer/Data Scientist role at Confidential Client targets entry-level candidates and recent graduates seeking to update their skills with modern data science and AI technologies. The position emphasizes practical experience with current tools such as Python, SQL, Spark, Databricks, Snowflake, and advanced AI techniques including LLMs and MLOps, preparing candidates for hybrid roles in data science, machine learning engineering, and analytics. This role supports career transitions and skill upgrades to meet employer demands for real-world, production-ready expertise in AI and data workflows.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, IT.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Overview
Confidential Client (via Careertakes) is hiring a Junior AI & Machine Learning Engineer / Data Scientist in San Diego, CA (Full-time). This entry-level role is focused on practical, applied ML/AI work — bringing classic data skills up to date with modern tools like Databricks, Snowflake, PyTorch, and LLM-based workflows. The role includes hands-on project work, pipeline-aware model development, and exposure to production scoring and MLOps patterns.
What You’ll Do
- Contribute to end-to-end ML workflows: data ingestion, feature engineering, model training, evaluation, and deployment.
- Work with warehouse-backed pipelines (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks / Spark) to build reproducible data workflows.
- Implement classical ML solutions and modern deep learning/NLP prototypes (PyTorch, Hugging Face, LLM toolkits).
- Support production scoring/prediction pipelines and basic MLOps tasks (model packaging, monitoring, CI/CD basics).
- Build dashboards and visualizations (Power BI or Tableau) to communicate model results and metrics.
- Participate in interview prep and skills certification activities to align experience with hiring expectations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or equivalent experience — recent grads encouraged.
- Hands-on experience (projects, internships, coursework) with Python and SQL.
- Familiarity with at least one data visualization tool (Power BI, Tableau) or libraries (Matplotlib/Seaborn).
- Basic exposure to machine learning concepts (regression, classification, model evaluation).
- Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to learn modern ML/AI toolchains.
- Eligible to work in the U.S.
Preferred / Nice-to-Have
- Experience or coursework using PyTorch, Hugging Face transformers, or other deep learning/NLP libraries.
- Exposure to cloud data platforms (Databricks, Snowflake) or Spark.
- Knowledge of MLOps fundamentals (model versioning, deployment patterns, monitoring).
- Internship or project experience with production-oriented data pipelines.
- Familiarity with LLM-assisted workflows, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), or GenAI concepts.
Compensation & Location
- Location: San Diego, CA (on-site / hybrid as required by the client)
- Employment type: Full-time
- Salary range (posted): $82,000 - $127,000 per year
- This range is provided in compliance with pay transparency requirements for California-based listings.
- Note: Final pay will depend on experience, qualifications, and the Confidential Client’s compensation policies.
Why Join
- Accelerate from academic or legacy tooling to today’s ML/AI hiring bar — Databricks, Snowflake, PyTorch, LLMs, and MLOps.
- Structured training and interview prep to make your skills interview-ready.
- Placement support for early-career candidates, career-switchers, and applicants with gaps in employment.
- Confidential Client (via Careertakes) connects candidates to teams hiring for production ML and hybrid analyst-engineer roles.
Application & Data Use
Careertakes shares candidate materials with Confidential Client and, when applicable, with client databases that match your profile to open roles. If you prefer not to be contacted, do not submit your resume.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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