Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Machine Learning Engineer jobs in North Carolina are in strong and growing demand, concentrated in the research triangle anchored by Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte, with opportunities at every level from entry-level to principal engineer across health tech, fintech, and enterprise software. SAS Institute, Red Hat, and Lenovo North America all maintain significant engineering presence in the state and are consistent hirers of machine learning talent. The most in-demand specialties are natural language processing, computer vision, and ML platform infrastructure. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About CoVar
CoVar is a small, mission-driven AI/ML R&D software company based in Durham, NC and McLean, VA. We build advanced software and machine learning systems that help the DoW detect threats in high-stakes environments and enable biomedical researchers to accelerate discoveries that save lives. Our team is composed of curious, passionate engineers who care deeply about using AI to solve real-world problems that matter.
Internship Overview
- 8-12 weeks – flexible, depending on your schedule
- In-person in Durham, NC
- Competitively paid internship
- Matched with one project based on your current expertise and interests
- Paired with an advisor or project lead who will guide you and help you set and meet your goals
- Concludes with you presenting your work either internally to CoVar or externally to the customer
Interview Timeline
- Accepting applications online from now to mid-November 2026
- Interviews starting in September 2026
- Interview steps consist of a video screening and a code screening
- Offers out by end of November 2026
About the position
You will help CoVar develop software and machine learning algorithms to solve real-world customer problems. You will work with data, develop algorithms, evaluate results, and write the production code that goes onto real-world systems. You may have the opportunity to present your work to high-level customers in the DoW and in the industry.
Qualifications
Applicants should have expertise in Python (including NumPy, pandas, and other packages) and PyTorch. Deep understanding of machine learning fundamentals (gradient descent, cross-validation, ROC curves, confusion matrices) are necessary. Knowledge of classical machine learning (e.g., support-vector-machines, logistic regression) are valued. Applicants are ideally familiar with some computer vision algorithms (e.g., for object classification (ResNet, ResNext), object detection (e.g., YOLO, CenterNet), or image segmentation) and/or other modern image processing AI/ML techniques (vision image transformers, vision language models, etc.). Previous experience with DoW customers is a plus.
Minimum qualifications
- Software expertise: Python and associated numerical and analytics packages (NumPy, pandas, etc.); git; PyTorch.
- AI/ML expertise: Machine learning fundamentals; Deep knowledge of state-of-the-art in any of the following: computer vision (preferred), natural language processing, classical machine learning, Bayesian models, etc.
- Pursuing B.S., preferably M.S. or Ph.D in engineering, math, computer science, or related field
- Excellent technical communication skills
- Ability to work in Durham, NC (relocation assistance available)
- Work authorization: US citizen
Bonus skills
- Department of War project experience
Benefits
- Competitive hourly wages
- Flexible work schedule
- Hybrid policy (in office at least 3x per week)
Email us: careers@covar.com
Visit us: www.covar.com
See All 27 Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
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Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Machine Learning Engineer Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Electronics & Hardware
- Telecommunications
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in machine learning engineer jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, statistics, or a related quantitative field
- Proficiency in Python and core ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn
- Experience designing, training, and deploying machine learning models in production environments
- Familiarity with cloud platforms including AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud for ML workflows
- Strong background in data preprocessing, feature engineering, and model evaluation techniques
- Experience with MLOps practices including model versioning, monitoring, and CI/CD pipelines
Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a machine learning engineer in North Carolina?
Machine learning engineering has no state-issued license in North Carolina, so the path runs through education and demonstrated technical skill. Most roles require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, or a closely related field, with a master's degree preferred at many Research Triangle employers. Building a portfolio of deployed models and contributing to open-source projects strengthens applications considerably for North Carolina hiring managers.
How much do machine learning engineers make in North Carolina?
Machine learning engineers in North Carolina earn a median of about $134,710 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $83,840 for the lowest 10% to over $179,310 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire machine learning engineers in North Carolina?
Employers hiring machine learning engineers in North Carolina right now include RELX, LexisNexis Legal & Professional, and Apple, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. North Carolina's Research Triangle Park remains a particularly active cluster, drawing consistent ML hiring from enterprise software, life sciences, and analytics firms with long-standing operations in the region.
Which North Carolina cities have the most machine learning engineer jobs?
Raleigh, Cary, and Charlotte lead North Carolina for machine learning engineer openings. Raleigh and Durham benefit from the density of tech and life sciences employers in and around Research Triangle Park, while Charlotte's expanding fintech and banking sector drives ML demand there, pulling in roles focused on predictive modeling and fraud detection at financial institutions headquartered in the city.
Are there remote machine learning engineer jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 42% of machine learning engineer openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how naturally the work translates to distributed environments. Model development, experimentation, and data pipeline work are the functions most commonly offered remotely, while roles involving on-site data infrastructure or embedded systems tend to require in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a machine learning engineer in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a junior data scientist or associate ML engineer role, which several Research Triangle Park employers post specifically for new graduates. SAS Institute and major health systems such as Duke Health and UNC Health run structured analytics and data science associate programs that serve as direct on-ramps. Building a strong GitHub portfolio with end-to-end ML projects and earning a cloud ML certification gives candidates a meaningful edge in a market where employers screen for applied skills.
Where can I find and apply to machine learning engineer jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to machine learning engineer jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly from the listings.
See All 27 Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
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