Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Workday, Inc.; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 156,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

Workday, Inc. is seeking a Sr Machine Learning Engineer to design and deploy scalable ML models that power Workday’s enterprise applications.

You will own the ML lifecycle from data extraction to monitoring in a high-scale production environment. You will collaborate with data scientists, software engineers, product managers, and UX designers to deliver robust AI solutions while upholding Responsible AI standards and best practices.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of software engineering with focus on applied ML/NLP.
• Strong Python and software fundamentals.
• Hands-on experience with PyTorch/TensorFlow and deployment to production.

Responsibilities

• Architect, build, and deploy scalable ML models and AI systems.
• Own ML lifecycle: data extraction, feature engineering, training, deployment, monitoring.
• Collaborate with data scientists, engineers, PMs, and designers to translate problems into AI solutions.
• Establish engineering best practices, MLOps processes, and optimized code.
• Mentor junior engineers and influence the technical roadmap.

Skills

Python

ML frameworks

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Scikit‑learn

Hugging Face

Cloud platforms

Docker

Kubernetes

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS/Math/Statistics or related

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

GCP

Job description

Your work days are brighter here. We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun‑drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Team

At Workday AI Team, we are building the intelligence layer that powers the future of work for millions of global users. Our AI organization is responsible for seamlessly embedding cutting‑edge machine learning, Generative AI, and autonomous agents directly into Workday's core platform—optimizing the HR and financial operations of some of the world's largest enterprises. We don't just run sandbox experiments; we build robust, production‑grade AI solutions that solve real business challenges at global scale. As part of our team, you will operate at the intersection of deep applied research and scalable engineering. Whether we are developing sophisticated LLM‑powered agents, advancing our next‑generation AI engine (Workday Illuminate), or engineering highly precise information retrieval and recommendation systems, we leverage Workday's massive, clean, and exclusive datasets to deliver features that accelerate human workflows. We are a highly collaborative, cross‑functional group of product leaders, data scientists, and ML engineers committed to the principles of Responsible AI. If you are a curious, courageous builder who wants to transition emerging AI capabilities into high‑impact enterprise realities, you'll find a home with us.

About the Role

What you will do:

• Architect & Build: Design, develop, and deploy scalable machine learning models and AI systems (ranging from predictive models to Generative AI and LLM‑powered agents) that directly impact Workday's core enterprise applications.
• End‑to‑End Ownership: Take full ownership of the ML lifecycle, including data extraction, feature engineering, model training, deployment, optimization, and continuous monitoring in a high‑scale production environment.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Data Scientists, Software Engineers, Product Managers, and UX Designers to translate complex business problems into robust AI solutions.
• Drive Technical Excellence: Establish and advocate for engineering best practices, robust MLOps processes, and highly optimized code.
• Mentorship & Leadership: Guide and mentor junior engineers, conduct code and architecture reviews, and help shape the technical roadmap for your team.
• Champion Responsible AI: Ensure all models adhere to Workday's strict standards for data privacy, security, fairness, and ethical AI practices.

About You

Basic Qualifications (Sr Machine Learning Engineer)

• Experience: 7+ years of industry experience in software engineering with a strong focus on applied machine learning, deep learning, or NLP.
• Programming Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in Python and strong software engineering fundamentals (data structures, algorithms, object‑oriented design).
• ML Frameworks: Deep hands‑on experience with industry‑standard machine learning and deep learning libraries (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit‑learn, Hugging Face).
• Production Deployment: Proven track record of taking ML models out of research/notebook environments and deploying them into scalable, high‑traffic production systems.
• Cloud & Infrastructure: Solid experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS or GCP) and modern infrastructure tools (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related highly quantitative field (or equivalent practical experience).

Basic Qualifications (Machine Learning Engineer)

• Experience: 5+ years of industry experience in software engineering with a strong focus on applied machine learning, deep learning, or NLP.
• Programming Mastery: Expert‑level proficiency in Python and strong software engineering fundamentals (data structures, algorithms, object‑oriented design).
• ML Frameworks: Deep hands‑on experience with industry‑standard machine learning and deep learning libraries (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit‑learn, Hugging Face).
• Production Deployment: Proven track record of taking ML models out of research/notebook environments and deploying them into scalable, high‑traffic production systems.
• Cloud & Infrastructure: Solid experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS or GCP) and modern infrastructure tools (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related highly quantitative field (or equivalent practical experience).

Workday Pay Transparency Statement

The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role‑specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things.

Primary Location: CAN.BC.Vancouver

Primary CAN Base Pay Range: $156,000 - $234,000 CAD

Additional CAN Location(s) Base Pay Range: $156,000 - $234,000 CAD

Our Approach to Flexible Work

With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in‑person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in‑office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you’ll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Workday is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals during our application process, in order to perform one or more essential functions of their job, as well as regarding the use of AI tools for employment decision‑making to any degree. Please see below for more details including how to request an accommodation as a qualified veteran, due to a disability or for religious reasons, or as otherwise provided under applicable law.

Workday prohibits taking adverse action against any candidate or employee for reporting a possible violation of this policy, requesting one or more work accommodations, exercising a privacy right, or cooperating in an investigation in accordance with applicable law. Any employee who retaliates against a candidate or employee for doing so may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, to the fullest extent allowable under applicable law. If you require a reasonable accommodation, you may email [e-mail], as far in advance as possible.

Workday will never ask candidates to apply to jobs through websites that are not Workday Careers. Workday will never ask candidates to pay a recruiting fee, or pay for consulting or coaching services, in order to apply for a job at Workday.

Workday is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Workday are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Further, pursuant to applicable local ordinances, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. We do not accept resumes from headhunters, placement agencies, or other suppliers that have not signed a formal agreement with us.

Workday is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals during our application process, in order to perform one or more essential functions of their job, as well as regarding the use of AI tools for employment decision‑making to any degree. Please see below for more details including how to request an accommodation as a qualified veteran, due to a disability or for religious reasons, or as otherwise provided under applicable law.

Workday prohibits taking adverse action against any candidate or employee for reporting a possible violation of this policy, requesting one or more work accommodations, exercising a privacy right, or cooperating in an investigation in accordance with applicable law. Any employee who retaliates against a candidate or employee for doing so may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, to the fullest extent allowable under applicable law. If you require a reasonable accommodation, you may email [e-mail], as far in advance as possible.