Machine Learning Engineer

Explore the day-to-day responsibilities, required skills, and employment opportunities of a machine learning engineer. Discover statistics on employment growth, salary potential, and commonly held qualifications.

Overview

Machine learning engineers play a key role in AI development, creating programs that enable technology to function and solve problems independently. These experts leverage their skills to enhance business systems and operational efficiency; automating routine, manual tasks to improve productivity. While their specialisations may vary, the field is based in the fundamentals of software engineering – making it an ideal focus area for software engineers.

On a day-to-day basis, machine learning engineers may spend time exploring, mining, and analysing data; retrieving valuable patterns or information to build or strengthen machine learning models. They also typically spend time communicating with product managers on ways to improve customer service (or internal workflows) through machine learning technology.

According to the latest findings by CSIRO’s Data61, those in AI development (such as machine learning engineers) have plenty of career opportunity, now and into the future. Their research predicts an estimated demand for 32,000 to 161,000 employees in robotics, data science, computer vision, and various other areas of AI expertise by 2030.

Key Skills

  • A fundamental knowledge of computer science – including various algorithms, data structures, and computer architecture
  • Advanced skills in programming and commonly used languages, such as Python, Java, and R
  • Skills in probability, statistics, and mathematics
  • Ability to organise, analyse, and measure large data sets
  • Experience in software development and testing; and familiarity with good practices
  • Ability to pinpoint business needs and address such issues through machine learning solutions

Quick Facts

As a subset of software/application programmers, machine learning engineers can find work in most regions of Australia, with New South Wales and Victoria currently holding the largest share of workers. Weekly salary potential is currently higher ($2,003) than the all job average ($1,460) with plenty of opportunity for full-time work.

Salary Range

$60,000 – $132,000 (Median: $77,000)*

*Source: Payscale

Average Weekly Hours

41 hours (vs. all jobs average of 44 hours)*

*Source: Job Outlook

Main Industries

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Financial and Insurance Services; and Public Administration and Safety

Most Common Qualification Level

55.9% hold a Bachelor’s Degree

STUDY PATHWAYS

Getting the skills you need is simple by studying one of our information technology courses below.

*Sources: payscale.com.au and joboutlook.gov.au – All information is to be used as a guide only, and are accurate at the time of publication.