Machine Learning Engineer

Job Title: Machine Learning EngineerLocation: Hybrid, Toronto, ONSalary Range: $130K – $150KReports To: Head of AI, with collaboration across Engineering & DevOps

Job Summary:

We are seeking a talented and experienced Machine Learning Engineer to join our growing AI team at Thrive. This role will play a critical part in designing and implementing LLM agents, architectures, and machine learning models that power Thrive's AI-driven career guidance platform.You will work on applied AI solutions that enable personalized, intelligent career experiences for job seekers, leveraging cutting-edge approaches in agentic frameworks, reinforcement learning, and large language models.If you are passionate about applied AI research, enjoy solving complex problems involving sequential decision-making, and want your work to have real-world social impact, this is the role for you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and evaluate LLM agents and agentic frameworks, including reinforcement learning and sequential decision-making approaches.
• Research and implement multi-agent architectures to coordinate and deploy AI agents effectively.
• Train, fine-tune, and optimize machine learning models for production deployment.
• Build and iterate on MVPs and client-facing AI solutions in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Conduct applied research on large language models, focusing on understanding and addressing model limitations.
• Stay current with advancements in LLMs, agentic frameworks, and machine learning research.
• Communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders through presentations, documentation, and client discussions.
• Write clean, maintainable, production-quality code following best practices for version control and documentation.

Business Problem the Machine Learning Engineer Will Solve:

This role will directly advance Thrive's AI capabilities by transforming applied research into scalable, production-ready solutions. By developing intelligent LLM agents and machine learning systems, the Machine Learning Engineer will enable more personalized, effective, and accessible career guidance for individuals navigating workforce transitions.

Ideal Candidate Demographics:

• 3–7+ years of experience in machine learning engineering or applied AI research.
• Graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related engineering field.
• Proven ability to translate research concepts into production-ready systems.
• Strong Python proficiency and experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, LangChain, and Pydantic.
• Hands-on experience working with large language models and real-world applications.
• Familiarity with Linux environments, Git, and software engineering best practices.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical topics to diverse audiences.
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada.

Nice-to-Have:

• Publication record in peer-reviewed conferences or journals related to LLMs, agentic frameworks, or reinforcement learning.
• Hands-on experience with agent frameworks such as LangGraph, Agenta, DSPy, or CrewAI.
• Knowledge of context engineering techniques and frameworks.
• Experience designing and deploying multi-agent systems.
• Background in HR tech, career services, or workforce development.
• Demonstrated project ownership and leadership experience.

Our Hiring Process:

Talent Acquisition ScreeningHiring Manager InterviewTake-Home Technical AssessmentTechnical Deep Dive with the AI Team

Life at Thrive:

• Fast-paced, mission-driven startup environment with high ownership and autonomy.
• Collaborative, transparent culture where everyone's voice matters.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI technologies with meaningful social impact.
• Cross-functional collaboration with Product, Engineering, and Customer Success teams.
• Strong career progression and mentorship opportunities as our AI team scales.

Total Rewards Package:

• 3 weeks paid vacation
• Health insurance & wellness coverage
• Yearly Learning & Development Allowance
• Yearly Workspace Allowance

Thrive is a cutting-edge, AI-enabled career wellness platform providing comprehensive workforce solutions. We help organizations navigate workforce transitions while empowering individuals to grow, adapt, and reach their full career potential.

At Thrive, we value diversity and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Only candidates legally entitled to work in Canada will be considered for employment.