Remote | Machine Learning Research Engineer — $55–$85/hour

We are sharing a specialised full-time consulting opportunity for machine learning engineers and research practitioners with hands-on experience training, evaluating, and experimenting with ML models end to end.

This role supports the development of advanced agentic evaluation benchmarks for frontier AI systems. Selected professionals will transform real machine learning research ideas into rigorous multi-step tasks, implement and run experiments, analyse training behaviour, and evaluate where model-generated solutions fall short of technically correct results.

Key Responsibilities

Machine Learning Task Design

• Turn practical ML research ideas into well-defined, multi-step evaluation tasks
• Develop assignments involving model training, experimental modifications, and performance analysis
• Define clear technical requirements, expected outputs, and success criteria
• Ensure tasks assess genuine implementation and experimental reasoning rather than superficial library usage

Experiment Implementation & Execution

• Implement reference solutions using Python, scripts, and notebook environments
• Configure and run model-training experiments from setup through final evaluation
• Modify model components, training procedures, reward functions, or experimental parameters
• Validate code, dependencies, datasets, intermediate outputs, and final results
• Document complete workflows so experiments can be reproduced independently

Model Evaluation & Analysis

• Review how frontier AI models approach complex machine learning tasks
• Assess implementation quality, experimental methodology, and technical conclusions
• Identify coding errors, unsupported assumptions, weak experimental controls, and misleading interpretations
• Determine whether reported improvements are supported by the observed results
• Explain clearly where and why a model-generated solution fails

Reinforcement Learning Experiments

• Develop selected tasks involving reinforcement learning fundamentals
• Evaluate reward-function changes, policy-training behaviour, and experimental outcomes
• Assess whether proposed modifications produce the intended training effect
• Identify instability, unintended incentives, or incorrect interpretations of RL results

Research Collaboration

• Work closely with researchers, task authors, and fellow machine learning specialists
• Compare evaluation decisions to maintain consistent and rigorous benchmark standards
• Refine task instructions, reference solutions, and grading criteria based on testing outcomes
• Share recurring model failure patterns and opportunities for stronger benchmark coverage

Ideal Profile

Strong candidates may have:

• At least 1 year of experience in machine learning research, research engineering, or a comparable technical role
• Hands-on experience training and evaluating ML models through complete experimental workflows
• Strong understanding of experiment setup, execution, analysis, and reproducibility
• Familiarity with large language model capabilities, limitations, and evaluation techniques
• Working proficiency in Python and Git
• Comfort using both scripting and notebook-based environments
• Strong technical writing, analytical reasoning, and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently through ambiguous, open-ended research problems
• Reliable availability for approximately 35 hours per week

Educational Background

• A master's degree or PhD in machine learning, computer science, artificial intelligence, engineering, mathematics, or another relevant STEM discipline is highly relevant
• Equivalent practical experience in a research-intensive machine learning role may also be considered
• Academic or professional work involving model training, experimentation, or ML systems may strengthen an application
• Publications, open-source contributions, technical reports, or substantial research projects may also be valuable

Nice to Have

• Understanding of reinforcement learning concepts, including reward functions and policy training
• Experience in AI training, model evaluation, or benchmark development
• Background authoring technical tasks, reference solutions, or grading rubrics
• Familiarity with agentic AI systems and multi-step model evaluations
• Experience diagnosing model-training failures or unexpected experimental behaviour
• Knowledge of experimental design, ablation studies, and performance comparison
• Experience reviewing code, notebooks, or research analyses prepared by other practitioners
• Familiarity with reproducible ML environments and collaborative Git workflows

Why This Opportunity

• Apply practical machine learning research expertise to frontier AI evaluation
• Design realistic tasks grounded in end-to-end model experimentation
• Help improve how AI systems approach implementation, training, and analytical reasoning
• Work across Python, ML evaluation, reinforcement learning, and reproducible research
• Collaborate closely with AI researchers and machine learning specialists
• Participate in a structured full-time remote role with competitive hourly compensation

Contract Details

• Full-time W-2 contingent employment opportunity
• Fully remote within the United States
• Expected commitment of approximately 35 hours per week
• Competitive rates between $55–$85 per hour depending on expertise and project scope
• Individual tasks may require one to two days of focused implementation and experimental work
• Work may include task design, model training, experiment execution, notebook development, AI output evaluation, and technical reporting
• Engagement scope and duration may evolve according to project requirements and performance

About the Platform

This opportunity is available through 24-MAG LLC. We connect experienced professionals with remote consulting opportunities across technical, evaluation, and project-based workstreams.

By submitting this application, you acknowledge that your information may be processed by 24-MAG LLC for recruitment and opportunity matching in accordance with our Privacy Policy: https://www.24-mag.com/privacy-policy.