Machine Learning Engineer

Referral By NK
Global, fully remoteContract$208,000–$312,000Posted Sep 14, 2026

About the role

Machine Learning Engineer

Pay: $100–$150/hour

Location: Global, fully remote

Job Type: Contractor (~15 hours per week)

Schedule: Flexible—you choose the hours and days you work, including weekends if desired

We are looking for highly skilled Machine Learning Experts to contribute to an AI training project involving model development, training and inference systems, numerical computing, performance optimization, and Python.

The work involves creating, solving, reviewing, and validating challenging machine-learning engineering tasks. A representative task may require implementing or modifying a model, constructing a reproducible training or inference workflow, optimizing memory or throughput, debugging numerical or system-level failures, and verifying that the resulting implementation satisfies objective correctness and performance requirements.

This role is designed for experienced ML engineers and researchers who understand the systems beneath high-level APIs. Candidates should have meaningful practical experience with multiple tools from the modern ML stack and be able to explain what they personally built, optimized, or operated.

What You’ll Work On

Develop and validate machine-learning models, training pipelines, inference systems, and supporting infrastructure.

Implement model components, data pipelines, evaluation systems, and numerical methods.

Build reproducible programmatic workflows using Python and command-line tools.

Work with tensor operations, automatic differentiation, model architectures, tokenization, batching, and generation.

Optimize training or inference for latency, throughput, memory usage, and hardware utilization.

Diagnose numerical instability, incorrect tensor behavior, memory bottlenecks, distributed-system failures, and performance regressions.

Compare model implementations and determine whether results are correct and reproducible.

Review AI-generated code and technical solutions for correctness, efficiency, and engineering quality.

Design objective tests, benchmarks, and verification criteria.

Clearly document technical decisions, trade-offs, and limitations.

Required Qualifications

A master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or a closely related quantitative discipline.

Strong professional or research experience in machine learning.

Practical proficiency with Python.

Meaningful experience with at least two relevant ML frameworks, libraries, or inference tools.

Strong understanding of model training, evaluation, numerical computation, or inference.

Ability to debug ML systems beyond surface-level API usage.

Ability to explain implementation decisions, performance trade-offs, and failure modes clearly.

Experience building reproducible technical workflows.

Relevant tools may include:

PyTorch

JAX

NumPy and SciPy

SGLang

vLLM

llama.cpp

Hugging Face Transformers

Hugging Face Tokenizers

Equivalent tools may also be considered when the candidate demonstrates directly relevant depth.

Experience at a well-established technology company, AI laboratory, research organization, or other recognized engineering environment is strongly preferred. Exceptional open-source or academic experience may also qualify.

Process

Apply to the role and complete the screening questions.

Complete an AI interview of approximately 30 minutes.

Complete a technical assessment, if required.

Complete the hiring manager review.

Compensation Structure

Compensation is output-based. Experts are paid per task that meets the project specifications. The time required to complete each task may vary depending on the expert’s experience and workflow.

Minimum submission requirements apply.

Start Timeline & Availability

We typically fill roles within 48 hours and are looking for experts who are ready to begin immediately. If selected, you will be expected to start your first task within 24–48 hours of completing onboarding.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and validate machine-learning models, training pipelines, inference systems, and supporting infrastructure
  • Implement model components, data pipelines, evaluation systems, and numerical methods
  • Build reproducible programmatic workflows using Python and command-line tools
  • Optimize training or inference for latency, throughput, memory usage, and hardware utilization
  • Diagnose numerical instability, incorrect tensor behavior, memory bottlenecks, distributed-system failures, and performance regressions
  • Review AI-generated code and technical solutions for correctness, efficiency, and engineering quality

Qualifications

  • A master’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or a closely related quantitative discipline
  • Strong professional or research experience in machine learning
  • Practical proficiency with Python
  • Meaningful experience with at least two relevant ML frameworks, libraries, or inference tools
  • Strong understanding of model training, evaluation, numerical computation, or inference

Benefits

  • Flexible schedule
  • Work from anywhere

Skills mentioned

PythonMachine LearningDeep LearningPyTorchJAXNumPyModel EvaluationModel ServingPerformance OptimizationDebugging

About Referral By NK

Referral by NK focuses exclusively on referral-only job opportunities that are not publicly advertised. Leveraging a strong professional network across engineering, procurement, power, EPC, manufacturing, and industrial sectors, we connect qualified candidates with trusted hiring managers and decision-makers. Our approach is simple: quality over quantity. Every referral is based on role relevance, technical alignment, and professional credibility—helping employers reduce hiring risk while enabling candidates to access the hidden job market. With deep industry exposure and hands-on experience in large-scale projects, Referral by NK bridges the gap between talent and opportunity through trusted, relationship-driven hiring.

Information Services2-10 employees