mid Machine Learning Engineer ic
$128,000 – $260,500
USD per year

About this role

Netskope is hiring a mid-level Machine Learning Engineer based in Santa Clara, CA. The posting calls out experience with LLMs, Distributed Systems, Machine Learning, vLLM. Compensation is listed at $128,000–$260,500 per year.

Role
Machine Learning Engineer
Function
machine learning
Level
mid
Track
Individual contributor
Employment
Full-time
Location
Santa Clara, CA
Department
AI R&D
AI Summary
Mid-level ML Engineer building and deploying enterprise-scale AI solutions for Netskope's cloud security platform. Work with senior architects to optimize machine learning models for the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architecture, turning research into production systems.

Job description

from Netskope careers
About Netskope

Today, there's more data and users outside the enterprise than inside, causing the network perimeter as we know it to dissolve. We realized a new perimeter was needed, one that is built in the cloud and follows and protects data wherever it goes, so we started Netskope to redefine Cloud, Network and Data Security.

Since 2012, we have built the market-leading cloud security company and an award-winning culture powered by hundreds of employees spread across offices in Santa Clara, St. Louis, Bangalore, London, Paris, Melbourne, Taipei, and Tokyo. Our core values are openness, honesty, and transparency, and we purposely developed our open desk layouts and large meeting spaces to support and promote partnerships, collaboration, and teamwork. From catered lunches and office celebrations to employee recognition events and social professional groups such as the Awesome Women of Netskope (AWON), we strive to keep work fun, supportive and interactive. Visit us at Netskope Careers. Please follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter@Netskope.

About Netskope & AI Labs

Within Netskope Engineering, Netskope AI Labs is the powerhouse advancing state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to protect the modern enterprise. We build the intelligence behind the Netskope Intelligent Security Service Edge (SSE) platform.

We are seeking a high-caliber Machine Learning Engineer to help us build, optimize, and deploy enterprise-scale AI solutions. Working closely with senior architects, you will directly influence our Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architecture, turning cutting-edge AI research into production-grade reality.

Note on Leveling: We believe great talent doesn't always fit into a rigid box. Candidates are assessed individually and leveled (from mid to senior) according to their specific skills, background, and technical depth.

🚀 What’s in it for You?

  • High-Impact Ownership: You aren't just maintaining pipelines; you are playing a critical role in the AI transformation of a market-leading cloud security company.
  • Cutting-Edge Stack: Work on the bleeding edge of LLM inference optimization, utilizing tools like vLLM, SGLang, and advanced KV Cache optimization.
  • Elite Collaboration: Work alongside top-tier engineers, researchers, and ML scientists to solve the industry’s toughest challenges in latency, throughput, and cloud security.

🛠️ What You Will Do

  • Collaborate on the AI Roadmap: Play a key role alongside senior architects and team members in driving the execution of critical AI/ML technical strategies, building highly scalable, reliable, and production-grade systems.
  • Architect High-Performance Inference Systems: Design, optimize, and deploy enterprise-scale LLM serving infrastructures. You will push the boundaries of throughput and latency.
  • Own the End-to-End AI Lifecycle: Partner closely with ML scientists and product stakeholders to translate complex business requirements into elegant, deployed code.
  • Enforce AI Excellence: Implement and scale strict "Report Cards" for production models, tracking real-world accuracy, latency, and security relevance.

💡 What You Bring

  • Industry Experience: 10+ years of overall experience in software engineering and product development, with a specialized focus in one of two tracks:
    • The AI/ML Focus: 2+ years of production experience developing, optimizing, and deploying AI/ML solutions (or an equivalent blend of an advanced technical degree + hands-on experience).
    • The Distributed Systems Focus: 6+ years of deep experience architecting, building, and scaling high-performance distributed systems, combined with a strong desire to apply those infrastructure skills to cutting-edge AI/LLM engineering.
  • The Modern AI Stack: Direct exposure to (or a strong conceptual understanding of) optimizing LLMs in production. Familiarity with high-throughput inference frameworks (e.g., vLLM, SGLang, TensorRT-LLM) and memory management techniques like KV Cache optimization is a massive plus.
  • Clear Communication: The ability to distill complex technical architecture or infrastructure bottlenecks into clear, actionable concepts for cross-functional teams.
  • The Startup Mindset: You are an energetic self-starter who thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments and isn't afraid to wear multiple hats to get a product across the finish line.

Education

  • BSCS or equivalent required, MSCS or equivalent strongly preferred.

Compensation:

At Netskope, salary is one component of our competitive total rewards package. The salary range for this position is as listed below. This is a national range. For purposes of complying with applicable laws, the range applies to candidates in California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Washington, and other states.

The successful candidate’s starting pay will also be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, location, and market conditions.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the On Target Earnings (OTE) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target commission amount at 100% goal achievement.

In addition to salary, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus plan (for non-sales roles) and a stock award program. Candidates may also be eligible for a comprehensive health plan and other benefits that can be reviewed at Netskope Benefits site.

Salary Range
$128,000—$260,500 USD

Netskope is committed to implementing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. Netskope does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on religion, race, color, sex, marital or veteran statues, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), or any other characteristic protected by the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction in which we operate.

Netskope respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us, please refer to Netskope's Privacy Policy for more details.

The application window for this position is expected to close within 50 days. You may apply by filling out the below information, or visiting our Netskope Careers site.

More roles at Netskope

Regional Sales Manager
Japan · manager
Networking Security Encryption
Regional Sales Manager
Ohio, United States · manager
Networking Security Encryption
Regional Sales Manager
Belgium · manager
Networking Security Encryption
Regional Sales Manager - Federal (Civilian)
Washington, DC · manager
Networking Security Encryption
Regional Sales Manager - Federal System Integrators
Washington, DC · manager
Networking Security Encryption
All Netskope jobs →
All machine learning jobs machine learning in Santa Clara, CA Jobs in Santa Clara, CA machine learning salaries machine learning career path
All Netskope Jobs Browse machine learning roles mid positions