AI ML Engineer Jobs in California
AI ML Engineer jobs in California represent one of the most active and competitive markets in the country, with demand concentrated in technology, biotech, financial services, and autonomous systems across seniority levels from entry-level data scientists to principal engineers and research scientists. The largest hiring metros are San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles, where established employers such as Google, Apple, and Meta maintain significant engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties in California listings include large language model development, computer vision, and MLOps infrastructure. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
The Video Computer Vision organization is working on breakthrough technologies for future Apple products. Our team delivers cutting-edge AI, machine learning, computer vision and graphics algorithms that power technologies including human understanding, perception, digital humans, AI agents, and health applications. In this role, you will collaborate with world-class experts in AI, ML, Software, and Hardware to tackle fundamental challenges in human-centric solutions that will impact millions of users across Apple's ecosystem.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are looking for an experienced engineering leader to manage a team of AIML engineers focused on developing foundation models for generative AI and multimodal systems that integrate various types of real-time sensor data such as video and audio with other modalities like text. You will set the technical vision and strategy for the team, drive execution on cutting-edge research projects and ensure the successful delivery of practical features into Apple products. You will partner with cross-functional leaders across software, hardware, design and product to define roadmaps, align on data requirements, validation strategies, key performance indicators and shape the direction of human perception technologies at Apple. A successful candidate combines deep technical expertise in AI, machine learning and computer vision with proven people leadership skills.
You will be responsible for:
- Hiring and developing top talent
- Fostering an inclusive and collaborative team culture
- Mentoring engineers across all career stages and creating an environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation
- Balancing long-term research investments with pragmatic engineering execution
- Leading by example with a hands-on approach when needed
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- BS and a minimum of 20 years of relevant industry experience, including 3+ years in a technical leadership or management role.
- Experience leading and managing teams of ML engineers or researchers.
- Strong technical background in building models for multimodal perception systems.
- Experience working with LLMs and VLMs.
- Proven track record of shipping ML-powered features or products at scale.
- Software engineering fundamentals and proficiency in Python and PyTorch.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- MS or PhD in computer vision, computer graphics, machine learning, computer science, computer engineering or related fields.
- Experience leading teams developing, training and tuning foundation models and multimodal LLMs.
- Familiarity with training generative architectures such as diffusion, reinforcement learning, flow matching or normalizing flow at scale.
- Experience setting technical strategy and roadmaps spanning research and productization.
- Demonstrated ability to recruit, grow and retain a diverse and high-performing engineering team.
- Excellent communication skills and experience partnering with multi-functional teams and senior stakeholders.
- Track record of mentoring engineers and supporting their career development.
- Self-motivated leader who can prioritize across competing demands and deliver on schedule.
- Self-motivated with proven track record to optimally prioritize and deliver tasks on schedule.
PAY & BENEFITS
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $257,400 and $386,300, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See All 1,641+ AI ML Engineer Jobs in California
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Find AI ML Engineer JobsAI ML Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
AI ML Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple199

- TikTok82

- Amazon61

- Adobe54

- Capital One51

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software721
- Electronics & Hardware283
- Artificial Intelligence114
- Banking & Financial Services113
- Automotive86
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in AI ML engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, machine learning, or a related field
- Proficiency in Python and machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch
- Experience designing, training, and deploying machine learning models in production environments
- Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for ML workloads
- Strong understanding of statistics, linear algebra, and algorithm design fundamentals
- Experience with MLOps practices including model monitoring, versioning, and CI/CD pipelines
AI ML Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a ai ml engineer in California?
Becoming an ai ml engineer in California typically starts with a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, statistics, or a related technical field, with many roles preferring or requiring a master's degree. California does not require a state-issued license for this role. Employers across the Bay Area and Los Angeles favor candidates who have built a portfolio of end-to-end machine learning projects, contributed to open-source repositories, or completed graduate research in applied ML.
Which companies hire ai ml engineers in California?
Employers hiring ai ml engineers in California right now include Apple, TikTok, and Amazon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's density of technology headquarters, AI research labs, and biotech firms means the hiring pool is broader here than in nearly any other state.
Which California cities have the most ai ml engineer jobs?
San Francisco, San Jose, and Santa Clara have the most ai ml engineer openings in California. The San Francisco Bay Area dominates because of the concentration of major technology headquarters and AI-focused startups, while Los Angeles draws demand from entertainment technology, aerospace, and a growing base of applied AI companies anchored by firms in the media and defense sectors.
Are there remote ai ml engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 21% of ai ml engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how much of this work centers on code, model training, and data pipelines that do not require physical presence. Roles in research and model development tend to be the most remote-friendly, while positions requiring integration with hardware, robotics, or on-site data infrastructure are more likely to require in-person work.
How can I get hired as a ai ml engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a university research role or a new-grad program at a large California technology employer, where teams hire associate or junior ML engineers specifically to develop their skills on the job. Companies such as Google, Meta, and Apple run structured new-grad rotations in the Bay Area. Building a public project portfolio on GitHub, completing a master's program at a California university with a strong AI research presence, or transitioning from a software engineering or data analyst role are all concrete steps that California hiring managers treat as credible alternatives to prior ML engineering experience.
Where can I find and apply to ai ml engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to ai ml engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and seniority levels. Search the listings, find roles that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that match.
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