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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INTRODUCTION
Join the small-molecule team within AI for Drug Discovery (AI4DD), formerly Prescient Design, at Roche and Genentech’s Computational Sciences Center of Excellence as a Machine Learning Scientist / Senior Machine Learning Scientist building agents for applied small-molecule drug design. You will develop autonomous, LLM-driven agentic workflows that orchestrate ML models, physics-based methods, and cheminformatics tools to accelerate discovery, working with world-class chemists and structural biologists.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design, build, and apply agentic workflows and ML models for key challenges in small-molecule drug design.
- Fine-tune foundation models for drug discovery relevant topics using internal and external datasets and tools.
- Optimize agent-derived hypotheses in close collaboration with world-class computational and medicinal chemists and structural biologists.
- Drive scientific impact through publications, open-source releases, and conference talks.
- Collaborate widely with computational and experimental researchers at Roche and with academic partners.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- You are experienced developing LLM-driven agents for scientific workflows and you understand how to orchestrate tools and models reliably.
- You bring strong machine-learning foundations in linear algebra, probability and optimization, with hands-on experience with GNNs, sequence/language models and reinforcement learning.
- You are fluent in Python and modern agentic coding environments such as LangChain, ML frameworks such as PyTorch or JAX, as well as cheminformatics toolkits like RDKit or OpenEye.
- You hold a PhD or equivalent research depth in machine learning, computer science, chemical engineering or a related quantitative field such as physics or statistics.
- You have a record of scientific excellence evidenced by journal and conference publications or a public portfolio of relevant projects (e.g. hosted on GitHub/GitLab).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Hands-on experience orchestrating multi-tool or multi-agent scientific pipelines.
- Hands-on experience working along the small molecule drug discovery value chain and an excitement to engage with chemists.
- Familiarity with structural biology datasets.
If you want to put autonomous AI to work discovering the medicines patients need next, apply now and help build the future of drug design at Roche.
COMPENSATION
- The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of California for the Machine Learning Engineer is $147,600 - $274,000, and the Senior Machine Learning Engineer for California is $167,400 - $310,800. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.
Benefits
Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.
If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.
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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
- Amazon38

- TikTok34

- Intuit19

- Apple15

- Adobe12

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software158
- Electronics & Hardware41
- Artificial Intelligence27
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals24
- Media & Entertainment14
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 Amazon, TikTok, and Intuit, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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 Mountain View 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 20% of machine learning scientist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 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 362+ Machine Learning Scientist Jobs in California
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