Interested in this AI/ML Engineer role at United States Consumer Product Safety Commission?
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About This Role
Summary
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The Senior Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) Engineer serves as the agency's senior technical data scientist providing mission critical analytics to detect and mitigate consumer product hazards. This position is located in the Directorate for Epidemiology (EP), Office of Risk Reduction (EXRR) at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
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### The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
### Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
### Clarification from the agency
UNITED STATES CITIZENS MAY APPLY (no prior federal experience is required). This position will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's delegated Direct Hire Authority (DHA). Veteran's Preference does not apply to this announcement.
Duties
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This position is officially titled Data Scientist (Artificial Intelligence). The working title is Senior AI/ML Engineer. The incumbent supports the modernization of CPSC's analytical ecosystem by designing and implementing AI/ML models, advanced analytical methods, cloud native workflows, and automation that accelerate hazard triage and strengthen data driven decision making across the agency.
The Senior AI/ML Engineer performs the following duties:
- Designs, develops, tests, and deploys supervised, unsupervised, NLP, deep learning, and agent\-enabled AI models that detect product hazards, surface signals, and identify leading indicators.
- Uses modern ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) and scalable compute environments to build high\-performance models that meet standards for accuracy, fairness, robustness, and transparency.
- Designs and implements high\-quality data pipelines for ingestion, transformation, validation, quality enforcement, and preprocessing of diverse datasets.
- Operationalizes models in secure cloud environments (Azure), leveraging cloud\-native services, containerization, CI/CD automation, and scalable compute.
- Conducts analytical research to identify trends, patterns, and emerging hazards through statistical learning, causal inference, scenario modeling, and "what\-if" simulations.
- Supports the agency's hazard detection research agenda by proposing new analytical methods, experimenting with novel architectures, and implementing advanced machine learning approaches.
- Develops and maintains state\-of\-the\-art knowledge in AI/ML, participating in working groups, communities of practice, and interagency collaborations.
- Works closely with program offices, engineering teams, compliance staff, field investigators, and agency leadership to translate analytic requirements into operational ML solutions.
- Communicates uncertainty, assumptions, limitations, and risk tradeoffs associated with modeling decisions and analytical findings.
- Designs and develops AI agents and retrieval\-augmented systems (e.g., Copilot Studio, Python\-based agents) that operationalize hazard detection workflows.
- Integrates AI agents with APIs, event streams, dashboards, and case management systems to reduce cycle time from signal to action.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
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### Conditions of employment
Must be a U.S. Citizen.
This is a Public Trust Position. Employment in this position requires a background investigation. If you are selected and cannot meet the criteria requirement for the pre\-employment waiver and/or a favorable suitability determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed or undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn.
If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Please see http://www.sss.gov for more information.
Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF\-306\), prior to appointment and the appropriate background investigation forms to determine suitability for Federal employment. False statements or responses on these forms can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
The selectee will be required to complete a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the I\-9 Form. We will compare information provided on the I\-9 Form to records available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The system confirms employee's identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Learn more about E\-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1\-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the CPSC;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the CPSC or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
### Qualifications
In addition to the mandatory education requirement, all applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
GS\-14: 1\) Demonstrated experience advancing AI/ML and analytics initiatives by leading components of model development, data preprocessing, feature engineering, and model validation; 2\) improving data pipelines and cloud\-based workflows to ensure scalable, reliable analytics; 3\) managing and executing Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery/Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines; 4\) applying advanced analytical and machine\-learning techniques to detect patterns and identify emerging trends or hazards; 5\) developing clear, actionable visualizations and technical documentation; and 6\) collaborating closely with technical experts and program stakeholders to design and implement practical, data\-driven solutions that strengthen hazard detection and decision\-making.
Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position by the closing date of this announcement.
### Education
Mandatory Education Requirement. All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify:
A. A bachelor's or higher degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position. The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience.
There is no substitution for specialized experience at this grade level.
You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable during the application process. Official transcripts will be required upon appointment.
All materials must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement.
All education claimed by applicants will be verified.
### Additional information
CPSC provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case\-by\-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case\-by\-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport\-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en\-us/sections/45063131363475\-Reasonable\-Accommodation\-Information).
Payment of relocation expenses is NOT authorized.
All the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work.
Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.
A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
As a condition of employment, the selectee must reside in the local commuting area of the duty station listed in this announcement. Proof of residence may be required.
Must meet the criteria requirement for the pre\-employment waiver and/or a favorable suitability determination within a reasonable period of time, otherwise the employment offer may be withdrawn.
CPSC headquarters employees (Bethesda, MD) will be relocating to 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC. This position will transition to the new location upon completion of the move. The transition is expected to be completed by the end of 2026\. Applicants should be aware that acceptance of this position includes the requirement to report to the new location once the relocation is finalized.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
========
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
CPSC offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: paid vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays per year, life and health insurance, Long Term Care insurance, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending account program, and retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan).
CPSC also offers a broad array of work\-life flexibilities and services to employees such as, flexible work schedules, transit subsidies, fitness center, and employee assistance and wellness programs.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full\-time, part\-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
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You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.
You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service
- Decision Making
- Flexibility
- Influencing/Negotiating
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Learning
- Reasoning
- Self\-Management
- Stress Tolerance
- Teamwork
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13002154
This announcement uses the cut\-off score (job\-analysis\-based) method under 5 CFR § 332\.402\. All applicants must score at least 90 to be considered. All applicants tied at the cut line will be referred. We will provide the selecting official a sufficient number of names, when available, to consider at least three candidates per vacancy. If fewer than three eligible and available candidates per vacancy result, we will expand the group in accordance with our pre\-announced supplement strategy and OPM policy.
After the vacancy closes, we will review your application package to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your resume and supporting documentation will then be reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert. Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, salary, duties performed for each position, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level/pay band. The best\-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited to an interview. Qualified candidates will be considered in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Direct Hire Guidelines.
RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2\) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double\-sided or 2 pages that are one\-sided each) showing all relevant experience.
CTAP/ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating (Rating of at least 90 out of 100\).
Veterans' Preference does not apply to the direct hire recruitment procedures. Selections made under this notice will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. You may not be considered for the position if any part of the application is incomplete. Your application may not receive appropriate consideration without the required supporting documentation.
Required Documents
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Your package must be complete and submitted in the manner specified in this section. Packages that are submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the agency point of contact will not be considered.
A complete application includes: 1\. Resume; 2\. Completed USAHire Assessment; and 3\. Submission of any required documents (such as unofficial transcripts). Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
Your resume must clearly demonstrate, in two pages or less, how your skills and experiences align with the "Qualifications" section and support your questionnaire responses. We cannot assume required experience based on your work or academic history. If your resume exceeds two pages, only the first two will be reviewed. You may use the USAJOBS Resume Builder or upload your own resume. If uploading, ensure it includes all required information and is organized so we can match the following to each position:
- Job title
- Employer name
- Employment dates (MM/DD/YYYY)
- Hours worked per week (full\-time assumed; part\-time prorated)
- Detailed duties, accomplishments, skills, responsibilities, and supervisory details (if applicable)
- Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions, if applicable)
Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.
CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must annotate your questionnaire to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible and you must submit appropriate documentation (such as: a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF\-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location).
Other documents identified in this announcement.
All supplemental documents must be submitted electronically before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have two choices for submitting your supplemental documents:
- Download from your USAJOBS account; or
- Upload your file(s)
Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Official documents are not required at the time of application, copies are sufficient. If selected, official documentation must be submitted prior to appointment.
### If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
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Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
- Click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
- If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
- Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
- Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
- Set aside about two (2\) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re\-use your unique assessment link.
- Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support\-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en\-us.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how\-to/application/status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
If you are having trouble with USAJOBS (searching for jobs, account password/profile issues, or Resume Builder): please visit the USAJOBS Help Center.
If experiencing any difficulties with the online application process (anything after you have clicked the 'Continue to Agency Site' button): please email [email protected] between normal business hours (8:00 a.m. \- 4:00 p.m. ET; except federal holidays). If receiving any kind of error message, please provide a screenshot or at a minimum, the error message text number.
### Agency contact information
Recruit apps
### Next steps
After the closing date of the announcement, your package will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Best qualified candidates will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration and may be interviewed.
You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJOBS and selecting "Application Status."
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable.
To view CPSC's Anti Human Trafficking Code of Conduct.
Overview
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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/24/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 24, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Bethesda, MD
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$143,913 \- $187,093 per year
Pay scale \& grade
GS 14
Promotion potential
14
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full\-time
Travel Required
25% or less \- Up to 25% travel in the Local Commuting Area.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
- 1560 Data Science Series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes \- This position is in the bargaining unit, The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 3579\.
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
- Suitability/Fitness
- Credentialing
Financial disclosure required
Yes \- Upon appointment, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE\-450\. You will need to provide the information annually.
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
4300EP\-26\-20261581103
Control number
876512800
Salary Context
This $143K-$187K range is below the median for AI/ML Engineer roles in our dataset (median: $180K across 1841 roles with salary data).
View full AI/ML Engineer salary data →Role Details
About This Role
AI/ML Engineers build and deploy machine learning models in production. They work across the full ML lifecycle: data pipelines, model training, evaluation, and serving infrastructure. The role has evolved significantly over the past two years. Where ML Engineers once spent most of their time on model architecture, the job now tilts heavily toward inference optimization, cost management, and integrating LLM capabilities into existing systems. Companies want engineers who can ship production systems, and the experimenter-only role is fading fast.
Day-to-day, you're writing training pipelines, debugging data quality issues, setting up evaluation frameworks, and figuring out why your model performs differently in staging than it did on your dev set. The best ML engineers are obsessive about reproducibility and measurement. They instrument everything. They know that a model is only as good as the data feeding it and the infrastructure serving it.
Across the 3,708 AI roles we're tracking, AI/ML Engineer positions make up 70% of the market. At United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, this role fits into their broader AI and engineering organization.
Demand for AI/ML Engineers has been strong and consistent. Unlike some AI roles that spike with hype cycles, ML engineering is a foundational need. Every company deploying AI models needs people who can keep them running, and the gap between research prototypes and production systems keeps growing.
What the Work Looks Like
A typical week might include: debugging a data pipeline that's silently dropping 3% of training examples, running A/B tests on a new model version, writing documentation for a feature flag system that lets you roll back model deployments, and reviewing a junior engineer's PR for a new evaluation metric. Meetings tend to be cross-functional since ML touches product, engineering, and data teams.
Demand for AI/ML Engineers has been strong and consistent. Unlike some AI roles that spike with hype cycles, ML engineering is a foundational need. Every company deploying AI models needs people who can keep them running, and the gap between research prototypes and production systems keeps growing.
Skills Required
Python and PyTorch dominate the requirements. Most roles expect experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and familiarity with ML frameworks like TensorFlow or JAX. RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) has become a top-3 skill requirement as companies integrate LLMs into their products. Docker and Kubernetes show up in about a third of postings, reflecting the production focus of the role.
Beyond the core stack, employers increasingly want experience with experiment tracking tools (MLflow, Weights & Biases), feature stores, and vector databases. Fine-tuning experience is valuable but less common than you'd think from reading Twitter. Most production LLM work is RAG and prompt engineering, not fine-tuning. If you have both, you're in a strong position.
Companies that are serious about AI/ML hiring tend to post specific infrastructure details in the job description: the frameworks they use, their model serving stack, their data pipeline tools. Vague postings that just say 'ML experience required' without specifics are often companies that haven't figured out what they need yet.
Compensation Benchmarks
AI/ML Engineer roles pay a median of $218,750 based on 3,817 positions with disclosed compensation. Senior-level AI roles across all categories have a median of $230,000. This role's midpoint ($165K) sits 24% below the category median. Disclosed range: $143K to $187K.
Across all AI roles, the market median is $217,500. Top-quartile compensation starts at $272,100. The 90th percentile reaches $325,000. For comparison, the highest-paying categories include AI Safety ($300,000) and Research Engineer ($280,000). By seniority level: Entry: $120,000; Mid: $200,000; Senior: $230,000; Director: $272,150; VP: $250,000.
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission AI Hiring
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has 1 open AI role right now. They're hiring across AI/ML Engineer. Based in Bethesda, MD, US. Compensation range: $187K - $187K.
Location Context
Across all AI roles, 14% (508 positions) offer remote work, while 3,180 require on-site attendance. Top AI hiring metros: New York (1,045 roles, $220,000 median); San Francisco (810 roles, $277,088 median); Los Angeles (397 roles, $215,000 median).
Career Path
Common paths into AI/ML Engineer roles include Data Scientist, Software Engineer, Research Engineer.
From here, career progression typically leads toward ML Architect, AI Engineering Manager, Principal ML Engineer.
The fastest path into ML engineering is through software engineering with a self-directed ML education. A CS degree helps, but production engineering skills matter more than academic credentials. Build something that works, deploy it, and measure it. That portfolio project is worth more than a Coursera certificate. For career growth, the fork comes around the senior level: go deep on technical complexity (staff/principal track) or move into managing ML teams.
What to Expect in Interviews
Expect system design questions around ML pipelines: how you'd build a training pipeline for a specific use case, handle data drift, or design A/B testing infrastructure for model deployments. Coding rounds typically involve Python, with emphasis on data manipulation (pandas, numpy) and algorithm implementation. Take-home assignments often ask you to build an end-to-end ML pipeline from raw data to deployed model.
When evaluating opportunities: Companies that are serious about AI/ML hiring tend to post specific infrastructure details in the job description: the frameworks they use, their model serving stack, their data pipeline tools. Vague postings that just say 'ML experience required' without specifics are often companies that haven't figured out what they need yet.
AI Hiring Overview
The AI job market has 3,708 open positions tracked in our dataset. By seniority: 102 entry-level, 1,705 mid-level, 1,469 senior, and 432 leadership roles (Director, VP, C-Level). Remote roles make up 14% of the market (508 positions). The remaining 3,180 roles require on-site or hybrid attendance.
The market median for AI roles is $217,500. Top-quartile compensation starts at $272,100. The 90th percentile reaches $325,000. Highest-paying categories: AI Safety ($300,000 median, 21 roles); Research Engineer ($280,000 median, 147 roles); AI Architect ($254,798 median, 67 roles).
Demand for AI/ML Engineers has been strong and consistent. Unlike some AI roles that spike with hype cycles, ML engineering is a foundational need. Every company deploying AI models needs people who can keep them running, and the gap between research prototypes and production systems keeps growing.
The AI Job Market Today
The AI job market spans 3,708 open positions across 16 role categories. The largest categories by volume: AI/ML Engineer (2,605), Data Scientist (310), AI Software Engineer (259). These three account for the majority of open positions, though smaller categories often have higher per-role compensation because of specialized skill requirements.
The seniority mix tells a story about where AI teams are in their maturity. Entry-level roles (102) are outnumbered by mid-level (1,705) and senior (1,469) positions, reflecting that most companies are past the 'build a team from scratch' phase and need experienced engineers who can ship production systems. Leadership roles (Director, VP, C-Level) total 432 positions, representing the bottleneck between technical execution and organizational strategy.
Remote work availability sits at 14% of all AI roles (508 positions), with 3,180 requiring on-site or hybrid attendance. The remote share has stabilized after the post-pandemic correction. Senior and specialized roles (Research Scientist, ML Architect) are more likely to be remote-eligible than entry-level positions, partly because experienced hires have more negotiating power and partly because these roles require less hands-on mentorship.
AI compensation is structured in clear tiers. The market median sits at $217,500. Top-quartile roles start at $272,100, and the 90th percentile reaches $325,000. These figures include base salary with disclosed compensation. Total compensation (including equity, bonuses, and sign-on) runs 20-40% higher at companies that offer those components.
Category matters for compensation. AI Safety roles lead at $300,000 median, while Prompt Engineer roles sit at $140,000. The spread between highest and lowest-paying categories reflects the premium on specialized technical skills versus broader analytical roles.
The most in-demand skills across all AI postings: Python (1,890 postings), Aws (1,103 postings), Azure (877 postings), Rag (855 postings), Gcp (631 postings), Prompt Engineering (560 postings), Pytorch (545 postings), Claude (498 postings). Python dominates, appearing in the vast majority of role descriptions regardless of category. Cloud platform experience (AWS, GCP, Azure) is the second most common requirement. The newer entrants to the top skills list (RAG, vector databases, LLM APIs) reflect the shift from traditional ML toward generative AI applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
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