[Remote] Staff Machine Learning Engineer – Applied AI/ML

Gusto; Washington; Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A modern HR platform is seeking a Staff Machine Learning Engineer to enhance customer experience through AI/ML solutions. You will lead the design of scalable models, mentor teams, and collaborate cross-functionally. Ideal candidates have over 8 years of relevant experience, expertise in ML frameworks, and strong leadership skills. The position offers a remote work option and competitive benefits.

Benefits

Health insurance

401(k) plans

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience building and deploying ML/AI systems.
• Expertise in advanced ML methods including supervised, unsupervised learning.
• Proven track record of delivering impactful ML projects.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable ML models for business problems.
• Lead teams of ML scientists and engineers.
• Collaborate with product and engineering to identify AI opportunities.
• Prototype and implement new algorithms from academia.
• Oversee model validation, deployment, and lifecycle management.
• Guide technical strategy for the ML function.

Skills

Machine learning techniques

Deep learning

NLP

Python programming

CI/CD best practices

Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)

Leadership in cross-disciplinary teams

Excellent communication skills

Education

Ph.D. or Master's in Computer Science or related field

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

Overview

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Gusto is a modern, online people platform that helps small businesses take care of their teams. They are seeking a Staff Machine Learning Engineer to drive the scale and optimization of customer experience through AI/ML solutions, collaborating with various teams to enhance their service platform.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable, production-grade AI and machine learning models for complex business problems.
• Lead and mentor teams of ML scientists and engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, engineering, and business stakeholders to identify AI opportunities and translate them into actionable solutions.
• Stay current with latest AI research; prototype and implement new algorithms and advancements from academia and industry.
• Oversee model validation, deployment, and lifecycle management, ensuring robust monitoring, explainability, and performance.
• Guide technical strategy, roadmap, and architectural decisions for the ML/AI function.
• Communicate findings, roadmaps, and performance results clearly to executives and non-technical partners.

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ hands-on experience building and deploying end-to-end ML/AI systems in industry or academia.
• Deep expertise in advanced ML methods (supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement learning, deep learning, NLP, etc.).
• Proven track record of delivering large, impactful ML projects into production environments.
• Proficient in modern ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, etc.) and cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
• Strong programming skills in Python and familiarity with best engineering practices (CI/CD, testing, code review).
• Demonstrated leadership in cross-disciplinary teams and ability to mentor scientists and engineers.
• Excellent communication skills and business acumen.

Education Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field is a plus.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401(k)s

Company Overview

• Gusto is an HR and payroll platform that simplifies complex tasks, empowering businesses to focus on what matters most. It was founded in 2011, and is headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA, with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees. Its website is https://www.gusto.com.
• Company H1B Sponsorship
• Gusto has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 19 in 2025, 54 in 2024, 19 in 2023, 37 in 2022, 24 in 2021. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.