AI/ML Scientist, Agent Platform

AI/ML Scientist, Agent Platform

W2 Contract

Pay Rate: $85 - $105 per hour

Location: Redwood City, CA - Remote Role

Job Summary:

We are seeking a hands-on Contract AI/ML Scientist to build reliable AI agent workflows for scientific data extraction and analysis. The primary focus is on agent platform and harness engineering, initially supporting agentic structuring of data from CRO reports focused on TCI synthetic chemistry, with flexibility to support additional agent development projects. Working with team scientists and data engineers, this individual contributor will implement defined requirements, build reusable tools, and prepare prototypes for deployment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Integrate model APIs, tools, and agent orchestration into maintainable workflows for tasks defined by team scientists.
• Connect data ingestion, agent processing, and structured outputs through reliable pipelines, including delivery to Databricks.
• Implement typed output schemas and deterministic validation checks to detect invalid outputs and support scientific review.
• Build evaluation infrastructure for benchmark runs, result comparisons, and performance assessments led by scientists and collaborators.
• Manage storage, compute, tracing, failure recovery, and reproducibility; monitor and improve workflow cost and latency.
• Maintain shared repositories, tests, packaging, technical documentation, and reproducible development environments.
• Partner with data engineers on deployment preparation, secure handling of internal data, and operational handoff.
• Communicate progress, limitations, and technical tradeoffs; incorporate feedback and adapt to priorities across scientific projects.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Degree in computer science, software engineering, data science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong Python programming and software design skills, including experience with agentic coding tools, with experience delivering maintainable applications or computational workflows.
• Experience integrating APIs and implementing typed schemas, automated tests, debugging, and dependency management.
• Experience with Git-based development, code review, packaging, and clear technical documentation.
• Experience building data pipelines and reliable workflows, including logging, failure recovery, and reproducibility.
• Basic fluency in machine learning and data quality, and sufficient chemistry and biology understanding to follow scientific requirements.
• Ability to communicate uncertainty and technical concepts clearly to colleagues with different scientific and software backgrounds.
• Ability to independently execute defined work, meet agreed milestones, incorporate feedback, and handle internal data securely.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing LLM applications or agent workflows using the Agents SDK or comparable orchestration frameworks.
• Experience with Databricks, cloud platforms, or high-performance computing environments.
• Experience with tracing, observability, rate-limit handling, and cost or latency optimization for model APIs.
• Experience building evaluation tooling, structured-output validation, or scientific-data applications.
• Experience using AI-assisted coding tools with code review and testing, or delivering projects in biotechnology or consulting.
• Experience with synthetic and/or medicinal chemistry is a plus.

Desired Skills and Experience

Python, Software Design, AI Agent Workflows and Harness Engineering, LLM Applications, Agent SDKs and Orchestration, Model APIs and Tool Integration, AI-Assisted Coding, Scientific Data Extraction and Analysis, CRO Report Processing, Data Ingestion and Pipelines, Databricks, Typed Schemas and Structured Output Validation, Deterministic Validation, Evaluation and Benchmarking, Machine Learning Fundamentals, Data Quality, Automated Testing and Debugging, Dependency Management, Git and Code Review, Software Packaging, Technical Documentation, Reproducible Environments, Cloud Platforms, High-Performance Computing, Storage and Compute Management, Logging and Tracing, Observability, Failure Recovery, Rate-Limit Handling, Cost and Latency Optimization, Deployment Preparation, Secure Data Handling, Operational Handoff, Chemistry and Biology Fundamentals, Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry, Biotechnology Applications, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Technical Communication, Indep…