Lead Machine Learning Engineer / Applied Scientist (AI)

TL;DR

Lead Machine Learning Engineer / Applied Scientist (AI): Shaping reinforcement learning systems for Search, Recommendations, and the AI assistant Uma with an accent on advanced reasoning, planning, and retrieval systems. Focus on bridging the gap between research innovation and production outcomes using RL and autonomous agents.

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Hybrid setup: requires 3 days in office once the operational hub is open.

Annual Base Compensation: $179,000 - $302,500 USD

Company

hirify.global is a leading global platform connecting businesses with AI-enabled talent across freelance, fractional, and payrolled work types.

What you will do

• Design and advance reinforcement learning systems for reasoning and planning using MCTS, policy and value networks, and agentic decision-making.
• Build scalable retrieval architectures combining vector search, knowledge graphs, and RAG workflows.
• Lead the transition of ML and RL models from research prototypes into robust production systems.
• Partner with engineering and Trust & Safety teams to improve model explainability and risk mitigation.
• Evaluate emerging RL and LLM techniques to translate innovations into practical platform applications.
• Mentor engineers and scientists through technical leadership and high-quality software engineering practices.

Requirements

• Proven experience designing, training, and deploying reinforcement learning systems in production.
• Deep familiarity with planning methods such as Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS).
• Expertise in ML systems using vector databases, graph databases, or graph neural networks.
• Track record of leading complex technical initiatives across research and engineering teams.
• Must be based in or able to work from Toronto, Canada to satisfy hybrid office requirements.
• Experience with iterative prompt or workflow strategies to accelerate model development.

Culture & Benefits

• Opportunity to work on high-impact AI products including the Uma assistant.
• Competitive benefits provided through an initial hiring partner.
• Potential for transition to direct hirify.global employment upon hub establishment.
• Access to a diverse and inclusive work environment with AI-enabled internal tools.
• Participation in annual bonus plans and long-term equity incentive programs.