Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Collectors; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Collectors is seeking a senior ML/AI engineer to design and deploy end-to-end machine learning systems that support our AI/ML product initiatives. You will own projects from framing through launch and post-launch monitoring, ensuring reliable, scalable outputs.

You will develop production-grade computer vision, multimodal, and agentic pipelines while collaborating with annotation, operations, product, and domain experts to define data needs, metrics, and rollout plans.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in ML, applied AI, or related field.
• Hands-on experience shipping ML systems in production.
• Proficient in Python and ML tooling, with testing, modular design, observability and version control.
• Experience in computer vision, multimodal modeling, information extraction, search/retrieval, or LLM-based systems.
• Ability to define evaluation methodologies and data-driven decisions about model readiness and trade-offs.
• Strong system design for scalable and maintainable solutions in real-world operations.
• Clear written and verbal communication for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• High-ownership mindset with ability to work independently and navigate ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy end-to-end ML systems for AI/ML product initiatives.
• Own projects from problem framing through implementation, evaluation, launch, and post-launch monitoring.
• Develop production-grade computer vision, multimodal, and agentic pipelines.
• Build and improve data pipelines, model evaluation frameworks, and feedback loops.
• Partner with annotation, operations, product, and domain experts to define data requirements, labeling standards, and success metrics.
• Translate experimental findings into clear technical recommendations balancing model quality, latency, cost.
• Contribute high-quality code, documentation, and technical design artifacts; collaborate via reviews.

Skills

5+ years ML/AI

Python & ML tooling

Software engineering basics

System design

Communication skills

Ownership mindset

Tools

Experiment tracking

Cloud ML infra

Retrieval systems

LLM tooling

Job description

Collectors is the leading creator of innovative technology that provides value-added services for collectors worldwide. We grade, authenticate, vault, and sell millions of record-setting collectibles, all while modernizing and digitalizing the process to further our mission of helping collectors pursue their passions. We’re always on the lookout for talented people to join our growing team.

Our services span collectible trading cards, autographs, comic books, coins, video games, event tickets, and memorabilia. Our subsidiaries include PSA, PCGS, Beckett, SGC, and Card Ladder.

Since our founding in 1986, we have graded and authenticated millions of items. We employ more than 3000 people across our headquarters in Santa Ana, California and offices in New Jersey, Texas, Florida, Japan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Canada, Mexico, Germany, the UK, and France.

As part of our interview process, we request that candidates have their cameras on during video interviews. This helps foster meaningful conversation and allows us to create an experience that closely resembles our standard working environment. Certain interview steps may take place by phone. For remote roles, and at our discretion, candidates may be asked to participate in an on-site interview as part of the final stages of the process.

We understand there may be occasional circumstances requiring accommodation and are happy to discuss them as needed. Your recruiter will be able to clarify expectations and answer any questions you have.

Collectors is the leading creator of innovative technology that provides value-added services for collectors worldwide. We grade, authenticate, vault, and help people research and manage the items they care about most. Our products bring authentication, grading, and trading into the modern era and make complex collector data more accessible. Our engineering mission is to build trusted, scalable systems that improve the experience for every collector.

What You’ll Do

• Design, build, and deploy end-to-end machine learning systems that support AI/ML product initiatives
• Own projects from problem framing through implementation, evaluation, launch, and post-launch monitoring, with clear accountability for outcomes
• Develop production-grade computer vision, multimodal, and agentic pipeline solutions that can ingest images and other inputs, reason over uncertainty, and return structured, reliable outputs
• Build and improve data pipelines, model evaluation frameworks, and feedback loops that ensure training and inference systems remain accurate, scalable, and maintainable over time
• Partner with annotation, operations, product, and domain experts to define data requirements, labeling standards, success metrics, and rollout plans
• Translate experimental findings into clear technical recommendations, balancing model quality, latency, cost, and operational complexity
• Contribute high-quality code, documentation, and technical design artifacts, and collaborate effectively through design reviews, code reviews, and cross‑functional discussions

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in machine learning, applied AI, or a closely related software engineering field
• Strong hands‑on experience building and shipping machine learning systems in production, including data preparation, model training, evaluation, deployment, and monitoring
• Proficiency in Python and common ML tooling, along with solid software engineering fundamentals such as testing, modular design, observability, and version control
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: computer vision, multimodal modeling, information extraction, search/retrieval, or LLM-based systems
• Demonstrated ability to define statistically sound evaluation methodologies and make data‑driven decisions about model readiness and trade‑offs
• Strong judgment in system design, including how to build solutions that are scalable, maintainable, and practical for real‑world operations
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical decisions to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• A high‑ownership mindset with the ability to operate independently, navigate ambiguity, and drive work to completion

Nice to Have

• Experience working on image‑heavy or quality‑sensitive domains such as computer vision inspection, authentication, fraud detection, or document/image understanding
• Experience with agentic systems, tool‑using LLMs, verification loops, or workflows that combine models with retrieval and structured outputs
• Familiarity with cloud ML infrastructure, experiment tracking, and production inference patterns
• Experience collaborating with human‑in‑the‑loop operations, annotation teams, or domain specialists to improve model quality
• Interest in collectibles, trading cards, marketplaces, or trust‑and‑safety style problems

Collectors uses e-Verify to validate your ability to work legally in the United States.

We are aware that there are instances where individuals are receiving job offers that fraudulently allege to be from Collectors or one of our business units. This type of fraud can be carried out through false websites, through fake e‑mails claiming to be from the company or through social media. We never ask for personal information such as your bank account, Social Security numbers or National IDs, nor do we send or request payments for the purchase of business‑related equipment. If you suspect fraud, please reach out to .

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, or other class protected by applicable law. We believe that a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills will better service the diverse community of collectors we support.

If you require an accommodation to apply or interview with us due to a disability or special need, please email .

U.S. residents: for disclosures relating to personal information we collect during the employment application and recruitment process, please see our

Privacy Notice for U.S. Applicants

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For New York Residents: In connection with hiring, Collectors Universe, Inc. uses an automated employment decision tool (Brighthire) to assist in evaluating candidates. Collectors Universe, Inc. began using this tool in October 2026. In accordance with NYC Local Law 144, a summary of the most recent independent bias audit of this tool is available from

Brighthire

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To request information about the type of data collected, its source, and our data retention policy, contact .