Senior Software Engineer (Machine Learning / MLOps)

Job Summary Our client, a leading entertainment and media company, is seeking a Senior Software Engineer (Machine Learning / MLOps) to join their team! This is a 19-month contract opportunity supporting a Content Science organization focused on optimizing machine learning products, improving model performance, and enabling data-driven business decisions. The ideal candidate combines strong software engineering fundamentals with hands-on experience in Python and/or R, advanced SQL, MLOps, and data quality assurance. This role focuses on production-ready machine learning solutions, code optimization, reliable data pipelines, and the ability to validate complex model outputs through technical expertise and business judgment. This position is hybrid in Santa Monica, CA, requiring four days onsite and one day remote per week. This position is W-2 only. We do not work with third-party firms or C2C arrangements for this role. Core ResponsibilitiesOptimize, refactor, and productionalize machine learning models and statistical applications using efficient, reliable engineering practicesDevelop and optimize complex SQL queries and Python/R code to improve performance, scalability, and maintainabilityPerform rigorous quality assurance, anomaly detection, and data validation to ensure model outputs and analytical results are accurate and reliableDesign, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines that transform raw data into reliable, analytics-ready datasetsAutomate data workflows, model operations, and quality checks to reduce manual effort and improve operational efficiencySupport forecasting, causal inference, and predictive modeling products through engineering enhancements and new feature developmentCollaborate with Data Scientists, engineers, and business stakeholders to troubleshoot issues, evaluate results, and communicate actionable findings Required Skills/Experience (Must-Haves)Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Research, Applied Economics, or a related quantitative field5+ years of experience developing, optimizing, and maintaining Python and/or R code for analytical or machine learning applications5+ years of experience with SQL, including complex querying, query optimization, and cloud-hosted databases5+ years of experience supporting analytical quality assurance, data validation, troubleshooting, and anomaly detectionHands-on experience engineering, optimizing, and deploying production-ready machine learning models, including MLOps practicesStrong software engineering fundamentals, including code refactoring, performance optimization, debugging, and reliable production coding practicesExperience developing and maintaining data pipelines and automated workflows using tools such as Airflow, dbt, or comparable technologies Preferred Skills/Experience (Nice-to-Haves)Master's degree in a related quantitative field or experience supporting media, entertainment, or subscription-based businessesExperience with machine learning and statistical techniques such as time-series forecasting, causal inference, regression, decision trees, or clusteringExperience with Snowflake, Databricks, Amazon S3, Apache Spark, or comparable data platformsFamiliarity with JupyterLab, Jupyter Notebook, or similar development environmentsExperience with model versioning, model registries, and production model monitoringExperience with data exploration and visualization tools such as Looker or TableauExperience leveraging AI-assisted development tools to improve coding efficiency and data workflows Key Competencies & BehaviorsStrong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and qualityExcellent analytical thinking, troubleshooting, and independent problem-solving skillsAbility to apply business judgment and critically evaluate automated outputsStrong written and verbal communication skills, including explaining technical findings to non-technical stakeholdersCollaborative, team-oriented approach with a constructive and respectful communication style Work EnvironmentLocation: Santa Monica, CAWork Arrangement: Hybrid, four days onsite and one day remote per weekContract Duration: Approximately 19 months Compensation & BenefitsPay Range: The approximate pay range for this position is between $58.00 and $83.00 per hour. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and location. We comply with local wage minimumsMedical, Dental, & Vision Insurance PlansEmployee-Owned Profit Sharing (ESOP)401K offered About KellyMitchell At KellyMitchell, our culture is world class. We’re movers and shakers! We don’t mind a bit of friendly competition, and we reward hard work with unlimited potential for growth. This is an exciting opportunity to join a company known for innovative solutions and unsurpassed customer service. We're passionate about helping companies solve their biggest IT staffing & project solutions challenges. As an employee-owned, women-led organization serving Fortune 500 companies nationwide, we deliver expert service at a moment's notice. 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