Machine Learning Scientist Jobs in California
Machine Learning Scientist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in tech, biotech, autonomous systems, and enterprise software across experience levels from entry-level research associate through principal and staff scientist. The largest hiring metros are San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Google, Meta, and Qualcomm have deep and lasting research operations. Roles focused on large language models, computer vision, and reinforcement learning are drawing the most consistent demand. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 88+ Machine Learning Scientist jobs
Who We Are
Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.
What We Offer
Salary:
$170,000.00 - $234,000.00Location:
Santa Clara,CAYou’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.
At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits .
Key Responsibilities:
Applied Materials’ Joint Operations Leadership (JOLT) Data Science team is seeking a Data Scientist to join our growing organization. JOLT plays a critical role in rebuilding customer trust, creating an agile and resilient supply chain, reshaping supplier relationships, driving operational excellence, and maximizing profitability through advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning.
This role offers the opportunity to work on high‑impact, cross‑functional initiatives and to develop end‑to‑end AI solutions—from problem formulation to production deployment.:
Works in project teams developing difficult analytical models, algorithms and automated processes, research and develop machine learning models from inception to deployment.
Work on GenAI and LLM projects, including fine-tuning models, creating embedding-based search systems, and developing AI-driven prototypes to enhance business operations.
Directing architects to design and solution GenAI architectures for stakeholders, specifically for plugin-based solutions and custom GenAI application builds.
Use data mining and machine learning algorithms to provide insights into historical and real-time data for projects such as material forecast, demand forecast, pattern recognition, etc.
Interfaces with stakeholders for requirements analysis and special requests and schedules; derives insights and works with business units to determine actions and KPI for those actions.
Identify opportunities for forecast accuracy improvement and provide business insights and additional perspectives to Service Supply Chain leadership
Collaborate with Material Planning, Field Operations, Inventory Management, NPI, Production Demand Planning, Reliability Engineering, Service Campaigns Teams to gather data and bring information on key business drivers that impact the future demand on Service Parts and Accessories
Requirements
Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a quantitative field (e.g., Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, Operations Research).
3-5 years of industry experience in applied machine learning or related AI work.
Hands-on experience building GenAI-focused applications (e.g., agents, reasoning workflows, or RAG) and a solid understanding of how large language models are architected and operated.
Can work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
Hands-on experience with:
Building GenAI-focused application and applying LLMs and agentic AI (e.g., agents, reasoning workflows, or RAG)
Have personally implemented models in common Deep Learning frameworks such as PyTorch, Jax or TensorFlow.
MLOps, including model deployment, versioning and performance monitoring in production environments
Proficiency in Python, SQL, and tools such as scikit-learn, and forecasting libraries.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, Machine Learning Concepts
Strong communication and storytelling skills - able to simplify complexity and influence executive stakeholders.
Interpersonal Skills
- Communicates difficult concepts and negotiates with others to adopt a different point of view
Location
Santa Clara, CA; on-site full-time
Additional Information
Time Type:
Full timeEmployee Type:
Assignee / RegularTravel:
Yes, 10% of the TimeRelocation Eligible:
YesThe salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.
For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.
Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
Who We Are
Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.
What We Offer
Salary:
$170,000.00 - $234,000.00Location:
Santa Clara,CAYou’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.
At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits .
Key Responsibilities:
Applied Materials’ Joint Operations Leadership (JOLT) Data Science team is seeking a Data Scientist to join our growing organization. JOLT plays a critical role in rebuilding customer trust, creating an agile and resilient supply chain, reshaping supplier relationships, driving operational excellence, and maximizing profitability through advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning.
This role offers the opportunity to work on high‑impact, cross‑functional initiatives and to develop end‑to‑end AI solutions—from problem formulation to production deployment.:
Works in project teams developing difficult analytical models, algorithms and automated processes, research and develop machine learning models from inception to deployment.
Work on GenAI and LLM projects, including fine-tuning models, creating embedding-based search systems, and developing AI-driven prototypes to enhance business operations.
Directing architects to design and solution GenAI architectures for stakeholders, specifically for plugin-based solutions and custom GenAI application builds.
Use data mining and machine learning algorithms to provide insights into historical and real-time data for projects such as material forecast, demand forecast, pattern recognition, etc.
Interfaces with stakeholders for requirements analysis and special requests and schedules; derives insights and works with business units to determine actions and KPI for those actions.
Identify opportunities for forecast accuracy improvement and provide business insights and additional perspectives to Service Supply Chain leadership
Collaborate with Material Planning, Field Operations, Inventory Management, NPI, Production Demand Planning, Reliability Engineering, Service Campaigns Teams to gather data and bring information on key business drivers that impact the future demand on Service Parts and Accessories
Requirements
Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a quantitative field (e.g., Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, Operations Research).
3-5 years of industry experience in applied machine learning or related AI work.
Hands-on experience building GenAI-focused applications (e.g., agents, reasoning workflows, or RAG) and a solid understanding of how large language models are architected and operated.
Can work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
Hands-on experience with:
Building GenAI-focused application and applying LLMs and agentic AI (e.g., agents, reasoning workflows, or RAG)
Have personally implemented models in common Deep Learning frameworks such as PyTorch, Jax or TensorFlow.
MLOps, including model deployment, versioning and performance monitoring in production environments
Proficiency in Python, SQL, and tools such as scikit-learn, and forecasting libraries.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, Machine Learning Concepts
Strong communication and storytelling skills - able to simplify complexity and influence executive stakeholders.
Interpersonal Skills
- Communicates difficult concepts and negotiates with others to adopt a different point of view
Location
Santa Clara, CA; on-site full-time
Additional Information
Time Type:
Full timeEmployee Type:
Assignee / RegularTravel:
Yes, 10% of the TimeRelocation Eligible:
YesThe salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.
For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.
Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
See All 88 Machine Learning Scientist Jobs in California
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Find JobsMachine Learning Scientist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Machine Learning Scientist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Lila Sciences10
- Apple9
- TikTok6
- SentiLink5
- Nuro4
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software18
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals9
- Electronics & Hardware8
- Artificial Intelligence6
- Banking & Financial Services4
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in machine learning scientist jobs across California.
- PhD or master's degree in computer science, statistics, or a related quantitative field
- Proficiency in Python and machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
- Experience designing and deploying end-to-end machine learning systems in production environments
- Strong background in statistical modeling, probability theory, and mathematical optimization
- Demonstrated research contributions through publications, patents, or open-source projects
- Familiarity with cloud infrastructure such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for model training and deployment
Machine Learning Scientist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a machine learning scientist in California?
Machine learning scientist roles in California do not require a state-issued license or certification, so the path runs through academic credentials and demonstrated technical skill. Most California employers expect at minimum a master's degree in computer science, applied mathematics, or statistics, with many research-focused roles preferring a PhD. Building a portfolio of published work, open-source contributions, or Kaggle competition results strengthens candidacy considerably in California's research-heavy hiring culture.
How much do machine learning scientists make in California?
Machine learning scientists in California earn a median of about $141,590 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,480 for the lowest 10% to over $224,920 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire machine learning scientists in California?
Employers hiring machine learning scientists in California right now include Lila Sciences, Apple, and TikTok, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's density of AI research labs, semiconductor companies, and biotech firms means demand comes from a broad range of industries beyond consumer tech.
Which California cities have the most machine learning scientist jobs?
San Francisco, San Jose, and Cupertino have the most machine learning scientist openings in California. The Bay Area accounts for the largest share, driven by the headquarters concentration of major technology and AI research companies, while Los Angeles has grown significantly through entertainment tech, autonomous vehicles, and a expanding startup ecosystem, and San Diego draws openings from its strong biotech and defense sectors.
Are there remote machine learning scientist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 38% of machine learning scientist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves coding, model training, and analysis that can be done from anywhere. Roles focused on foundational research or data pipeline work tend to be the most remote-friendly, while positions requiring access to proprietary hardware or on-site collaboration with product teams are more likely to require in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a machine learning scientist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a research internship or new-graduate program at a California technology or biotech company, which can convert into a full-time role. Large California employers like Google, Apple, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory run structured research internship pipelines aimed at PhD students and recent graduates. Transitioning from a data scientist, software engineer, or research analyst role is also common, particularly when the candidate can show applied ML work in a portfolio or published paper.
Where can I find and apply to machine learning scientist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to machine learning scientist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your experience and target location, and apply directly to each employer without leaving the platform.
See All 88 Machine Learning Scientist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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