Founding Forward Deployed Machine Learning Engineer
AdaptionRole Overview
Adaption is hiring a Founding Forward Deployed Machine Learning Engineer. This is a full-time role in San Francisco. Part of Adaption's Data Science hiring. Full responsibilities, required qualifications, and the apply link are listed in the description below.
Salary Context
Salary is not disclosed in this posting. Market median for Data Science roles is $140k-$200k (based on 24 comparable listings). Many employers share specifics during the interview process or after an initial screen.
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Job description
THE ROLE
You'll operate at the bleeding edge of our technology and our customers' most consequential problems — simultaneously. You'll sit across from customers who are trying to fundamentally change how their businesses work, figure out where our platform falls short, and build the ML solutions that close the gap. Then you'll do it again for the next customer with an entirely different domain, data landscape, and set of constraints. The problems you solve in the field become the product.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Find and Unlock Alpha: Go deep on customer problems and data workflows to identify the highest-leverage opportunities others miss, then build the solutions that capture them.
- Ship What's Missing: When the product doesn't cover it, you do. Identify gaps through hands-on customer engagement and implement production-grade ML solutions that fill them.
- Raise the Bar: Develop compelling demos, deliver technical presentations to senior stakeholders, and set the standard for what great looks like across our customer base.
- Own the Outcome: You're not handing off a deck — you're a strategic and technical partner from discovery through deployment, accountable for results.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 4+ years of industry experience, including 2+ years in a customer-facing technical role.
- Strong software engineering skills and familiarity with ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow)
- Solid understanding of data modeling for training and how curation decisions shape model performance
- Experience training or fine-tuning models using human feedback, reward signals, or other adaptive learning techniques
- Excellent communication skills and ability to operate across varied customer environments and tech stacks
- A mindset of ownership, curiosity, and a bias toward action
Above all, we're looking for great teammates who make work feel lighter and aren't afraid to go out on a limb with bold ideas. You don't need to be perfect, but you do need to be adaptable. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check every box.
ABOUT US
Most AI is frozen in place - it doesn't adapt to the world. We think that's backwards. Our mandate is to build efficient intelligence that evolves in real-time. Our vision is AI systems that are flexible, personalized, and accessible to everyone. We believe efficiency is what makes this possible - it's how we expand access and ensure innovation benefits the many, not the few. We believe in talent density: bringing together the best and most driven individuals to push the boundaries of continual adaptation. We're looking for builders and creative thinkers ready to shape the next era of intelligence.
BENEFITS
- Flexible work: In-person collaboration in the Bay Area, a distributed global-first team, and team offsites.
- Adaption Passport: Annual travel stipend to explore a country you've never visited. We're building intelligence that evolves alongside you, so we encourage you to keep expanding your horizons.
- Lunch Stipend: Weekly meal allowance for take-out or grocery delivery.
- Well-Being: Comprehensive medical benefits and generous paid time off.
About Adaption
Adaption
adaptionlabs.ai
10 other open roles at Adaption on TryApplyNow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for the Founding Forward Deployed Machine Learning Engineer position at Adaption?
Use the Apply button above to submit your application directly to Adaption. Most applications take less than 5 minutes if your resume and contact details are ready, and you'll be routed to the employer's official application system to finish.
Where is the Founding Forward Deployed Machine Learning Engineer position at Adaption located?
This position is based in San Francisco. Adaption has not indicated remote or hybrid options for this role, so candidates should plan for on-site work.
What does a Founding Forward Deployed Machine Learning Engineer at Adaption earn?
Adaption has not disclosed a salary range in this posting. Many employers share specifics later in the interview process; you can also ask during a recruiter screen if compensation transparency is important to you.
When was the Founding Forward Deployed Machine Learning Engineer role at Adaption posted?
This role was posted on April 16, 2026 (84 days ago). It's still listed as actively hiring; we re-confirm openings against the source system multiple times per day and remove closed roles.
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