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36 Months to Hire: The Long Road to Becoming a Machine Learning Engineer

The job market for machine learning engineers (MLE) has shifted to an employer’s market, with the hiring process varying significantly by company size. Small companies (<500 employees) typically complete hiring within weeks, while large corporations (>10,000 employees or FAANG) might take up to 36 months from application to offer. MLE roles can have various titles like machine learning scientist or data scientist, but the core responsibilities remain consistent, involving end-to-end model development from problem definition to deployment. The type of company, whether it’s application-focused or tool-oriented, public or private, also influences the job search experience. Location plays a crucial role, with high-demand areas like the Bay Area and NYC offering more opportunities. Candidates should prepare for different interview formats, which can range from coding challenges to system design sessions, and utilize resources like LinkedIn and GitHub to showcase their skills. Networking and referrals can expedite the process, but they are not a guarantee of employment.

Source: towardsdatascience.com

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