AI / Machine Learning Lead

Position Overview

About the job AI / Machine Learning Junior / Senior / Lead

Catalyst Labs is a leading talent agency with a specialized vertical in Applied AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science. Embedded in our clients’ recruitment operations, we collaborate directly with Founders, CTOs, and Heads of AI at Tier 1 VC backed startups, scale ups, and enterprise tech companies to drive the next wave of applied intelligence – from model optimization to productized AI workflows. This expression of interest means that by submitting your CV, you will be considered for upcoming roles with our clients.

Location: Most of our client base is in California, New York, and select locations across other States and Europe.
Experience Required: From early‑career engineers to senior ICs, leads, and principals.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Founders, CTOs, and Heads of AI to facilitate technical recruitment conversations.
• Engage with candidates across varying career levels, from early‑career engineers to senior technical leads.
• Support candidates in refining their resumes or portfolios to match role requirements.
• Ensure confidentiality and maintain direct communication channels between candidates and hiring decision‑makers.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience building or deploying machine learning systems in production environments (beyond academic or lab prototypes).
• Background with top technology companies, Tier 1 VC backed startups, advanced research institutes, or high‑caliber engineering teams.
• Solid understanding of ML fundamentals including model development, optimization, and evaluation.
• Strong coding proficiency (Python preferred) and familiarity with frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, LangChain, and Ray.
• Experience with distributed systems, data infrastructure, or high‑performance computing is a strong advantage.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on specialization areas: LLMs & Generative AI, Computer Vision, NLP/NLU, Reinforcement Learning, Recommendation Systems, Time Series & Forecasting, Applied Deep Learning.
• Experience with ML Engineering workflows such as MLOps pipelines, model monitoring & observability, deployment to cloud or edge environments, vector databases & embeddings, and retrieval‑augmented pipelines.
• Experience in AI Safety, alignment, privacy‑preserving ML, or security‑focused ML.
• Prior experience mentoring engineers, leading technical initiatives, or driving cross‑functional collaboration.
• A track record of publications, open‑source contributions, patents, or delivered products that demonstrate real‑world impact.

Benefits & Perks

• Strong relationships with Founders and CTOs providing direct access to decision‑makers.
• Work with recruiters who understand the nuances between fine‑tuned and foundation models.
• Prioritized confidentiality and privacy throughout the recruitment process.
• Support in refining your resume or portfolio specifically for shortlisted roles.
• Insight on compensation structures across geographies, including equity‑heavy offers and hybrid IC/lead tracks.