Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Equinix, Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 154,000 - 232,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Healthcare coverage

Retirement plans

Paid vacation & holidays

Job summary

Equinix, Inc. is seeking a Principal Machine Learning Engineer to design, build, deploy, and scale ML and generative AI systems powering real-world products.

You will work with the AI Sidekick team and business units to translate advanced ML capabilities into reliable, production-grade solutions across GCP, AWS, and Azure. This role blends applied ML, software engineering, and MLOps with a strong emphasis on scalable systems rather than academic research, while collaborating with CoE leaders to

Qualifications

• PhD with 5+ years, Master's with 6+ years, or Bachelor's with 7+ years in ML/CS/DS.
• Strong Python expertise for ML and production systems.
• Experience with cloud platforms and scalable software design.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy ML and LLM-based solutions for production use cases.
• Collaborate with Generative AI CoE leaders and stakeholders on buy vs. build decisions.
• Develop end-to-end ML pipelines: data ingestion, feature engineering, training, evaluation, deployment, and monitoring.
• Architect and implement LLM-powered systems across multiple cloud platforms into a unified solution.
• Optimize ML workflows for performance, scalability, reliability, and cost in cloud environments.
• Implement and maintain MLOps practices: CI/CD, model versioning, experiment tracking, and retraining.
• Work with PyTorch and TensorFlow; containerize with Docker and Kubernetes.

Skills

Python

ML/ML Ops

Cloud platforms

Production-grade systems

Communication skills

Education

PhD/Master/Bachelor in ML/CS/DS

Job description

Who are we?

Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company®, shortening the path to connectivity to enable the innovations that enrich our work, life and planet.

A place where tech thinkers and future builders turn bold ideas into breakthrough experiences, we welcome your unique perspective. Help us challenge assumptions, uncover bias, and remove barriers—because progress starts with fresh ideas. You’ll find belonging, purpose, and a team that welcomes you—because when you feel valued, you’re empowered to do your best work.

Job Summary

As a Principal Machine Learning Engineer, you will design, build, deploy, and scale machine learning and generative AI systems that power real-world products. You will work closely in AI Sidekick team and business teams to translate advanced ML and LLM capabilities into reliable, production‑grade solutions across multi‑cloud environments including GCP, AWS, and Azure.

This role blends applied machine learning, software engineering, and MLOps, with a strong focus on building robust, scalable systems rather than purely academic research.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy machine learning and Large Language Model (LLM)–based solutions for production use cases
• Collaborate with Generative AI Center of Excellence leaders and business stakeholders to evaluate buy vs. build decisions for generative AI applications
• Develop end-to-end ML pipelines, covering data ingestion, feature engineering, model training, evaluation, deployment, and monitoring
• Architect and implement LLM-powered systems that integrate agents and services across multiple cloud platforms into a unified solution
• Optimize ML workflows for performance, scalability, reliability, and cost efficiency in cloud environments (GCP, Azure, AWS)
• Implement and maintain MLOps best practices, including CI/CD, model versioning, experiment tracking, and automated retraining
• Work extensively with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch and TensorFlow
• Containerize ML services and deploy them using Docker, Kubernetes, App Engine, or virtual machines
• Apply strong knowledge of NLP fundamentals, including transformers, attention mechanisms, embeddings, and text preprocessing
• Deploy and manage models in production, conduct A/B testing, and measure performance improvements using statistical methods
• Develop features, run experiments, analyze results, and translate insights into actionable improvements
• Build and deploy classical ML models (regression, classification, clustering), NLP applications (sentiment analysis, summarization, Q&A, chatbots, information retrieval), and computer vision solutions (image classification, object detection, segmentation using models such as YOLOv7, DDRNet, RFTM with datasets like COCO and Cityscapes)

Qualifications

• PhD with 5+ years, Master’s with 6+ years, or Bachelor’s with 7+ years of experience in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field
• Strong proficiency in Python for machine learning and production systems
• Solid understanding of software engineering fundamentals, system design, and design patterns
• Hands-on experience with at least one major cloud platform (GCP, Azure, or AWS)
• Experience building and deploying production-grade ML systems
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts and results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Excellent time management, collaboration, and organizational skills

The targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are:

Canada - Toronto Office TRO : 154,000 - 232,000 CAD / Annual

Our pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the full-time position determined by role, level, and location.The pay range shown is based on our compensation structure in place at the time of posting and may be updated periodically based on business needs. Individual pay is based on additional factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and/or training.

The targeted pay range listed reflects the base pay only and does not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Employees are eligible for bonus, and equity may be offered depending on the position.

Equinix Benefits

As an employee, you become important to Equinix’s success. We ensure all your benefits are in line with our core values: competitive, inclusive, sustainable, connected and efficient. We keep them competitive within the current marketplace to ensure we’re providing you with the best package possible. So, wherever you are in your career and life, you’ll be able to enhance your experience and bring your whole self to work.

Employee Assistance Program: An Employee Assistance program is available to all employees.

Canada Core Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in healthcare coverage that is designed to complement the provincial healthcare system, along with life, disability and optional benefit plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You may also enroll in Equinix-sponsored retirement or savings plans: Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP), Group Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax-Free Savings Plan (TSFA). - Vacation and Paid Holidays: Equinix offers both vacation and personal time, along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to specific plan or program terms, and to change at Equinix discretion.

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability. If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing this form.

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law.

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This posting is a new position within our organization.