Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Virginia are in high demand, concentrated in defense and intelligence contracting, federal IT modernization, and commercial cloud services, with openings at every level from entry-level data scientist to principal engineer. Northern Virginia anchors the market as one of the most active ML hiring regions on the East Coast, alongside Richmond and the Hampton Roads corridor, where major employers including Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Amazon Web Services maintain large engineering workforces. The most sought-after specialties are natural language processing, computer vision, and MLOps pipeline development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 68+ Machine Learning Engineer jobs
CarMax, the way your career should be!
Position Overview
As a Sr. Engineer, AI & ML, you will play a pivotal role in designing and implementing advanced Generative AI solutions that elevate CarMax’s omni-channel customer experience. You will leverage expertise in large language models (LLMs), semantic search frameworks, and AI orchestration to deliver innovative, scalable applications. Your work will directly influence CarMax’s technology evolution, ensuring secure, high-performing AI systems that drive business impact.
Why CarMax?
At CarMax, we are the nation’s largest retailer of used cars with stores from coast to coast, and we are still growing. We’re rethinking the way people buy cars – and it’s our associates that help us do just that. We believe work should feel meaningful and rewarding, with opportunities to make an impact every day. This is where innovation meets passion – be inspired and supported to take us to the future.
Team Overview
You’ll join CarMax’s GenAI team, collaborating with engineers, product leaders, and stakeholders to build next-generation AI capabilities. This team focuses on creating enterprise-grade AI solutions that enhance customer interactions and streamline business processes through cutting-edge machine learning technologies.
Role Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and deploy Generative AI models, including LLMs and semantic search frameworks, for customer-facing solutions.
- Identify and address implementation challenges, providing creative, technically sound solutions.
- Build integrated monitoring systems to validate AI performance and ensure architecture integrity.
- Mentor engineers on best practices for Generative AI development and deployment.
- Review code for quality and adherence to clean coding standards.
- Collaborate on prompt engineering, testing, and evaluation using tools such as PromptFlow.
- Drive continuous improvement in AI architecture through innovation and stakeholder feedback.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 4+ years of experience in AI/ML, cloud computing, or systems engineering.
- Advanced proficiency in Python and scripting languages (e.g., shell scripts).
- Hands-on experience with Azure OpenAI Service and Azure AI Search.
- Expertise in LLMs, semantic search frameworks, and AI orchestration layers (e.g., Semantic Kernel).
- Experience with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and testing frameworks.
- Strong communication skills and ability to influence technical vision across teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
- Experience integrating CI/CD pipelines for prompt engineering with feedback loops.
- Knowledge of advanced Generative AI development tools and frameworks for enterprise-scale applications.
Work Location and Arrangement: This role will be based out of the CarMax Midtown office, Richmond VA or CarMax Technology Hub, Plano TX and have a Hybrid work arrangement.
Associates based in Richmond work onsite 5 days per week.
Associates based in Plano work onsite 2 days per week.
Work Authorization: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship will not be considered for this specific role.
About CarMax
At CarMax, we revolutionized the used car buying experience over 30 years ago by introducing transparency and integrity into the process. Our commitment to customer experience, innovation, and community has made us the nation’s largest used car retailer. With over 250 store locations and over 30,000 associates, we are proud to have been recognized as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® and are committed to helping our communities thrive.
As an associate, you are part of an innovative movement to empower the modern customer and drive progress. Your work fuels change—sparking ideas, overcoming challenges, and shaping what’s next. Join us in creating a better future– for our company, our customers, and the communities we call home.
CarMax is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The annual salary for this position is:
$120,000.00 - $180,000.00May be eligible for bonus and equity.
Benefits:
Except as otherwise required by state law, CarMax Associates are entitled to the following paid sick, vacation, and holiday time.
Associates that are considered full-time hourly or commission/incentive eligible:
- To earn up to 48 hours of sick time per year accrued on a per pay period basis and between 80 hours and 200 hours per year of vacation time after a 90 day waiting period depending on years of continuous service with the Company.
- For 8 hours of pay for each of a total of 6 paid scheduled holidays per year plus 1 floating holiday. If such an Associate does work on a scheduled holiday due to business need, they are eligible for Holiday Premium Pay.
Associates considered full-time salaried are entitled to paid time away with no specified limit as needed for sick, vacation, bereavement, jury duty, holidays, floating holiday, etc. subject to manager approval.
For more details about benefits, please visit our CarMax Benefits website.
Upon an applicant's request, CarMax will consider reasonable accommodation to complete the CarMax Job Application.
CarMax, the way your career should be!
Position Overview
As a Sr. Engineer, AI & ML, you will play a pivotal role in designing and implementing advanced Generative AI solutions that elevate CarMax’s omni-channel customer experience. You will leverage expertise in large language models (LLMs), semantic search frameworks, and AI orchestration to deliver innovative, scalable applications. Your work will directly influence CarMax’s technology evolution, ensuring secure, high-performing AI systems that drive business impact.
Why CarMax?
At CarMax, we are the nation’s largest retailer of used cars with stores from coast to coast, and we are still growing. We’re rethinking the way people buy cars – and it’s our associates that help us do just that. We believe work should feel meaningful and rewarding, with opportunities to make an impact every day. This is where innovation meets passion – be inspired and supported to take us to the future.
Team Overview
You’ll join CarMax’s GenAI team, collaborating with engineers, product leaders, and stakeholders to build next-generation AI capabilities. This team focuses on creating enterprise-grade AI solutions that enhance customer interactions and streamline business processes through cutting-edge machine learning technologies.
Role Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and deploy Generative AI models, including LLMs and semantic search frameworks, for customer-facing solutions.
- Identify and address implementation challenges, providing creative, technically sound solutions.
- Build integrated monitoring systems to validate AI performance and ensure architecture integrity.
- Mentor engineers on best practices for Generative AI development and deployment.
- Review code for quality and adherence to clean coding standards.
- Collaborate on prompt engineering, testing, and evaluation using tools such as PromptFlow.
- Drive continuous improvement in AI architecture through innovation and stakeholder feedback.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 4+ years of experience in AI/ML, cloud computing, or systems engineering.
- Advanced proficiency in Python and scripting languages (e.g., shell scripts).
- Hands-on experience with Azure OpenAI Service and Azure AI Search.
- Expertise in LLMs, semantic search frameworks, and AI orchestration layers (e.g., Semantic Kernel).
- Experience with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and testing frameworks.
- Strong communication skills and ability to influence technical vision across teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
- Experience integrating CI/CD pipelines for prompt engineering with feedback loops.
- Knowledge of advanced Generative AI development tools and frameworks for enterprise-scale applications.
Work Location and Arrangement: This role will be based out of the CarMax Midtown office, Richmond VA or CarMax Technology Hub, Plano TX and have a Hybrid work arrangement.
Associates based in Richmond work onsite 5 days per week.
Associates based in Plano work onsite 2 days per week.
Work Authorization: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship will not be considered for this specific role.
About CarMax
At CarMax, we revolutionized the used car buying experience over 30 years ago by introducing transparency and integrity into the process. Our commitment to customer experience, innovation, and community has made us the nation’s largest used car retailer. With over 250 store locations and over 30,000 associates, we are proud to have been recognized as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® and are committed to helping our communities thrive.
As an associate, you are part of an innovative movement to empower the modern customer and drive progress. Your work fuels change—sparking ideas, overcoming challenges, and shaping what’s next. Join us in creating a better future– for our company, our customers, and the communities we call home.
CarMax is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The annual salary for this position is:
$120,000.00 - $180,000.00May be eligible for bonus and equity.
Benefits:
Except as otherwise required by state law, CarMax Associates are entitled to the following paid sick, vacation, and holiday time.
Associates that are considered full-time hourly or commission/incentive eligible:
- To earn up to 48 hours of sick time per year accrued on a per pay period basis and between 80 hours and 200 hours per year of vacation time after a 90 day waiting period depending on years of continuous service with the Company.
- For 8 hours of pay for each of a total of 6 paid scheduled holidays per year plus 1 floating holiday. If such an Associate does work on a scheduled holiday due to business need, they are eligible for Holiday Premium Pay.
Associates considered full-time salaried are entitled to paid time away with no specified limit as needed for sick, vacation, bereavement, jury duty, holidays, floating holiday, etc. subject to manager approval.
For more details about benefits, please visit our CarMax Benefits website.
Upon an applicant's request, CarMax will consider reasonable accommodation to complete the CarMax Job Application.
See All 68 Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsMachine Learning Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Machine Learning Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Capital One12
- Booz Allen Hamilton6
- SAIC5
- Information Technology Senior Management Forum4
- DeepSig3
Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services
- Technology & Software
- Energy
- Fintech
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in machine learning engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, mathematics, or a closely related field
- Proficiency in Python and machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch
- Experience designing, training, and deploying production-grade machine learning models
- Familiarity with cloud platforms, particularly AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud environments
- Active or eligible U.S. security clearance for roles supporting federal or defense clients
- Strong command of data engineering tools including SQL, Spark, or distributed computing systems
Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a machine learning engineer in Virginia?
Machine learning engineering has no state-issued license in Virginia, so the path runs through education and demonstrated skills. Most Virginia employers expect at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, statistics, or engineering, and many defense and federal contractors in Northern Virginia add a security clearance requirement. Building a portfolio of deployed models and contributing to open-source projects strengthens applications considerably, especially for candidates targeting commercial roles in Richmond or Hampton Roads.
How much do machine learning engineers make in Virginia?
Machine learning engineers in Virginia earn a median of about $136,460 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $83,350 for the lowest 10% to over $211,930 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire machine learning engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring machine learning engineers in Virginia right now include Capital One, Booz Allen Hamilton, and SAIC, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Northern Virginia's dense concentration of federal contractors and hyperscale cloud infrastructure makes it one of the most consistent sources of ML engineering demand in the country.
Which Virginia cities have the most machine learning engineer jobs?
McLean, Arlington, and Herndon have the most machine learning engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia drives the largest share because of its federal agency proximity, defense contractor campuses, and AWS's headquarters in Arlington, while Richmond adds openings from financial services and health IT firms, and Hampton Roads draws from Navy and DoD technology programs.
Are there remote machine learning engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 54% of machine learning engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how central the work is to software development pipelines that do not require physical presence. Research, model training, and MLOps roles tend to be the most remote-friendly, while positions tied to classified federal contracts typically require on-site work in Northern Virginia.
How can I get hired as a machine learning engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a junior data scientist or ML associate role at one of Virginia's large federal IT contractors, where firms like Leidos and SAIC run new-grad hiring programs that onboard candidates directly from university pipelines. Northern Virginia's proximity to George Mason University and Virginia Tech's satellite programs means many contractors actively recruit from those institutions. Building two or three end-to-end portfolio projects, earning an AWS or Google Cloud ML certification, and applying for data analyst roles as a lateral entry point all improve your odds.
Where can I find and apply to machine learning engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to machine learning engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, and beyond. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly from the listing.
See All 68 Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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