Machine Learning Research Jobs in California
Machine Learning Research jobs in California sit at the center of one of the most active AI and technology labor markets in the world, with demand concentrated in academic research, cloud infrastructure, autonomous systems, and biotech from entry-level research engineers through principal scientists. San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles anchor the highest volume of openings, where employers like Google, Meta, and Stanford University maintain large and sustained research operations. The most sought-after specializations are large language model development, computer vision, reinforcement learning, and ML systems optimization. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Apple Services Engineering (ASE) team is one of the most exciting examples of Apple's long-held passion for combining art and technology. People here create the experiences loved by users across App Store, Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple Books, and Apple Fitness. The scale is massive, delivering content and entertainment in over 35 languages to more than 150 countries, while meeting Apple's high bar for quality and performance.
The team is responsible for building secure, robust, end-to-end solutions across server and client to solve challenging problems. Thanks to Apple's unique integration of hardware, software, and services, engineers here work with a single unified vision of deep commitment to strengthening Apple's core principles such as customer focus, privacy, and relentless innovation. Although services are a bigger part of Apple's business than ever before, these teams remain small, nimble, and cross-functional, offering an opportunity to work with passionate people, contribute ideas, and ship innovative software. Here, you'll do more than just join a team; you'll be making a positive impact on people's lives.
Description
The ASE Search team is a vital part of the Apple ecosystem, powering search for App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, Podcasts, Books, Fitness+, iTunes, and more, across a wide set of platforms including iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, visionOS, Safari, and third-party devices. Driven by a passion for the extraordinary rather than the easy, our team of problem solvers is dedicated to helping users discover media and content in exciting new ways, and we're looking for motivated engineers and researchers to join us on this journey.
As a Machine Learning Researcher/Engineer on the ASE Search team, you will help design and develop next-generation search and conversational discovery features for Apple's groundbreaking devices and platforms. ","responsibilities":"Contribute to building experiences that shape how people search and discover on Apple devices worldwide.
Build and improve ML models and systems across surface areas such as retrieval, ranking, query understanding, and document understanding.
Develop and iterate on ML models end-to-end, from data preparation and training through evaluation and production deployment, including backend components using languages such as Go, Java, Python, and Scala.
Stay current with research in search, information retrieval, and generative AI, and apply new techniques to improve our systems.
Collaborate with engineers, researchers, and product teams to understand requirements and deliver high-quality solutions.
Design and run A/B experiments, and contribute to automated testing, monitoring, and alerting to measure and maintain the health of production systems.
Present technical work to the team and participate in design and code reviews.
Preferred Qualifications
Ph.D. in Computer Science or a related subject area.
4+ years of relevant industry experience in ML or data systems.
Experience building search or conversational capabilities such as query understanding, retrieval, ranking, indexing, autocomplete, or intent resolution.
Familiarity with big data pipelines using Scala, Python, or Apache Spark.
Exposure to distributed backend services, Kubernetes, cloud infrastructure, or container orchestration.
Experience with GoLang or gRPC services.
Familiarity with A/B experimentation and data-driven product development.
Minimum Qualifications
MS in Computer Science or a related subject area.
2+ years of relevant industry experience in ML or data systems.
Knowledge of generative AI systems, including Large Language Models, Transformers, and techniques such as RAG and fine-tuning.
Experience with one or more ML frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow; familiarity with distributed training or inference tooling (e.g., Ray, TensorRT, vLLM) is a plus.
Familiarity with search, recommendation systems, conversational engines, or related domains.
Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
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 $150,400 and $277,600, 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.
The Apple Services Engineering (ASE) team is one of the most exciting examples of Apple's long-held passion for combining art and technology. People here create the experiences loved by users across App Store, Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple Books, and Apple Fitness. The scale is massive, delivering content and entertainment in over 35 languages to more than 150 countries, while meeting Apple's high bar for quality and performance.
The team is responsible for building secure, robust, end-to-end solutions across server and client to solve challenging problems. Thanks to Apple's unique integration of hardware, software, and services, engineers here work with a single unified vision of deep commitment to strengthening Apple's core principles such as customer focus, privacy, and relentless innovation. Although services are a bigger part of Apple's business than ever before, these teams remain small, nimble, and cross-functional, offering an opportunity to work with passionate people, contribute ideas, and ship innovative software. Here, you'll do more than just join a team; you'll be making a positive impact on people's lives.
Description
The ASE Search team is a vital part of the Apple ecosystem, powering search for App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, Podcasts, Books, Fitness+, iTunes, and more, across a wide set of platforms including iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, visionOS, Safari, and third-party devices. Driven by a passion for the extraordinary rather than the easy, our team of problem solvers is dedicated to helping users discover media and content in exciting new ways, and we're looking for motivated engineers and researchers to join us on this journey.
As a Machine Learning Researcher/Engineer on the ASE Search team, you will help design and develop next-generation search and conversational discovery features for Apple's groundbreaking devices and platforms. ","responsibilities":"Contribute to building experiences that shape how people search and discover on Apple devices worldwide.
Build and improve ML models and systems across surface areas such as retrieval, ranking, query understanding, and document understanding.
Develop and iterate on ML models end-to-end, from data preparation and training through evaluation and production deployment, including backend components using languages such as Go, Java, Python, and Scala.
Stay current with research in search, information retrieval, and generative AI, and apply new techniques to improve our systems.
Collaborate with engineers, researchers, and product teams to understand requirements and deliver high-quality solutions.
Design and run A/B experiments, and contribute to automated testing, monitoring, and alerting to measure and maintain the health of production systems.
Present technical work to the team and participate in design and code reviews.
Preferred Qualifications
Ph.D. in Computer Science or a related subject area.
4+ years of relevant industry experience in ML or data systems.
Experience building search or conversational capabilities such as query understanding, retrieval, ranking, indexing, autocomplete, or intent resolution.
Familiarity with big data pipelines using Scala, Python, or Apache Spark.
Exposure to distributed backend services, Kubernetes, cloud infrastructure, or container orchestration.
Experience with GoLang or gRPC services.
Familiarity with A/B experimentation and data-driven product development.
Minimum Qualifications
MS in Computer Science or a related subject area.
2+ years of relevant industry experience in ML or data systems.
Knowledge of generative AI systems, including Large Language Models, Transformers, and techniques such as RAG and fine-tuning.
Experience with one or more ML frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow; familiarity with distributed training or inference tooling (e.g., Ray, TensorRT, vLLM) is a plus.
Familiarity with search, recommendation systems, conversational engines, or related domains.
Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
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 $150,400 and $277,600, 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 77 Machine Learning Research Jobs in California
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Find JobsMachine Learning Research Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Machine Learning Research Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple26
- Nuro4
- ByteDance4
- Meta3
- Achira3A
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware14
- Technology & Software10
- Artificial Intelligence6
- Transportation & Logistics3
- Banking & Financial Services3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in machine learning research jobs across California.
- PhD or master's degree in machine learning, computer science, or a closely related field
- Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
- Experience designing and training large-scale neural network models on real datasets
- Demonstrated research output such as peer-reviewed publications or conference papers
- Ability to work with distributed computing systems and cloud platforms like GCP or AWS
- Strong mathematical foundation in linear algebra, probability, and optimization theory
Machine Learning Research Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a machine learning research in California?
Most machine learning research roles in California require a master's or PhD in computer science, machine learning, or statistics from an accredited university, though some companies hire candidates with a strong bachelor's degree and demonstrated project experience. California does not issue a state license for this role. What hiring managers at California research labs and technology companies consistently look for is a portfolio of original work, whether through graduate research, published papers, or open-source contributions that demonstrate independent problem-solving.
Which companies hire machine learning researchs in California?
Employers hiring machine learning researchs in California right now include Apple, Nuro, and ByteDance, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's dense concentration of AI-focused technology companies, research universities, and well-funded biotech firms means sustained demand across both industry labs and academic institutions.
Which California cities have the most machine learning research jobs?
Cupertino, San Francisco, and Palo Alto have the most machine learning research openings in California. The San Francisco Bay Area dominates because it is home to the headquarters of major AI-first technology companies and university research programs at Stanford and UC Berkeley, while Los Angeles has grown substantially as entertainment technology, autonomous vehicles, and healthcare AI companies have expanded their research teams there.
Are there remote machine learning research jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields, since the core work of designing models, running experiments, and writing papers translates well to remote environments. About 39% of machine learning research openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how broadly technology employers in the state have adopted flexible arrangements. The most consistently remote portions of the role are individual experiment runs, literature review, and code development, while collaborative whiteboard sessions and hardware-dependent work tend to remain on-site.
How can I get hired as a machine learning research in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a strong master's thesis or independent research project that you can discuss concretely in interviews, paired with an application to research engineer or associate researcher programs at California-based companies. Google Brain, Meta AI, and Apple all run structured new-graduate research programs from their California campuses, and UC-affiliated national labs such as Lawrence Berkeley and LLNL offer postdoctoral or student researcher appointments that serve a similar function. Candidates moving from adjacent roles like data scientist or software engineer strengthen their position by building a public project demonstrating original model design, even if it was completed outside a formal research setting.
Where can I find and apply to machine learning research jobs in California?
You can find and apply to machine learning research jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to California employers. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 77 Machine Learning Research Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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