Machine Learning Engineer / Predictive Analyst

Vaco; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco seeks a hands-on Machine Learning Engineer / Predictive Analytics Consultant in the Birmingham, AL or Dallas, TX area. You will design, build, and deploy predictive models, develop forecasting solutions, and partner with stakeholders to translate business needs into scalable data solutions.

You will work within an enterprise cloud/big data environment, accelerating delivery and expanding analytics capabilities across sales and marketing forecasting initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Data Science, or related data-focused roles.
• Strong hands-on experience with Python, SQL, Spark/PySpark, and Snowflake.
• Experience building machine learning and predictive models from the ground up.
• Experience with large-scale datasets and distributed data processing environments.
• Understanding of statistical analysis, forecasting, and ML methodologies.
• Experience in cloud-based analytics ecosystems (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Proven ability to work independently with minimal direction.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate business problems into scalable technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, test, and deploy ML and predictive analytics models on large-scale data.
• Develop forecasting and predictive modeling solutions for sales, marketing, and operations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate ambiguous requests into data solutions.
• Perform EDA, feature engineering, model selection, validation, tuning, and optimization.
• Leverage cloud and big data environments to scale analytics initiatives.
• Accelerate project delivery and support a growing analytics backlog.
• Collaborate with analytics, engineering, and business leadership teams.
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to improvements in predictive analytics processes and scalability.

Skills

Python

SQL

Spark/PySpark

Snowflake

Cloud platforms

Independent work

Tools

Databricks

Job description

Machine Learning Engineer / Predictive Analytics Consultant

Preferred Locations: Birmingham, AL or Dallas, TX

Position Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Machine Learning Engineer / Predictive Analytics Consultant to join an established machine learning team focused on scaling predictive analytics capabilities across the business. This role will support high-impact initiatives primarily focused on sales and marketing forecasting, predictive modeling, and business intelligence transformation efforts.

The organization has already built out a mature cloud and big data environment and is now focused on increasing delivery capacity, accelerating project timelines, and expanding the team's ability to support growing business demand. This individual will help transition the business beyond traditional dashboarding and reporting into forward-looking predictive analytics and forecasting solutions.

This is a highly collaborative but autonomous role requiring someone who can operate with minimal guidance, solve complex business problems independently, and deliver practical machine learning solutions at enterprise scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, test, and deploy machine learning and predictive analytics models using large-scale structured and unstructured datasets
• Develop forecasting and predictive modeling solutions supporting sales, marketing, and operational business initiatives
• Partner directly with business stakeholders to translate ambiguous business requests into actionable data solutions
• Perform exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, model selection, validation, tuning, and performance optimization
• Work with existing enterprise-scale cloud and big data environments to support scalable analytics initiatives
• Help increase team throughput by accelerating project delivery and supporting a growing backlog of analytics requests
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including analytics, engineering, and business leadership
• Communicate analytical findings and model outcomes clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Contribute to ongoing improvements in predictive analytics processes, scalability, and operational efficiency

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Data Science, or related data-focused roles
• Strong hands-on experience with:
  • Python
  • SQL
  • Spark / PySpark (Nice to have)
  • Snowflake (Nice to have)
• Experience building machine learning and predictive models from the ground up
• Experience working with large-scale datasets and distributed data processing environments
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis, forecasting, predictive modeling, and machine learning methodologies
• Experience operating within cloud-based analytics ecosystems (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Proven ability to work independently with minimal direction
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to translate business problems into scalable technical solutions

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting sales and marketing analytics initiatives
• Experience with forecasting and business performance prediction models
• Experience working in enterprise-scale machine learning environments
• Exposure to Databricks or similar modern data platforms
• Experience communicating directly with business stakeholders and leadership teams

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is not someone who simply executes assigned tasks. We are looking for a proactive problem solver who can independently identify opportunities, work through ambiguity, and deliver practical machine learning solutions that drive measurable business value. This individual should be comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities and growing demand for predictive analytics capabilities.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.

EEO Notice

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada: Based on Highspring's discussions with its Client, Highspring's understanding is that this position for employment is a current vacancy (either through Highspring as a contractor or with the client directly).

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations;
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.