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Machine Learning Engineer

Build, train and deploy machine learning models into production software.

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Career facts

Preparation
Considerable preparation needed · most need a bachelor's degree
Ways in
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Industry certification
  • Portfolio of projects

About this career

Machine learning engineers turn a model into a working service: they build training pipelines, deploy models behind APIs, monitor accuracy and speed, and retrain when data changes. They use Python, PyTorch or TensorFlow, SQL, containers and cloud platforms. Entry usually takes a computer science or math degree plus experience as a software or data engineer; many roles prefer a master's.

Learning path

Take these courses in order, from beginner to mid-level.

  1. Step 1: STEM Foundations: The Universal Skill Stack

    The shared base every STEM career uses: working with numbers and units, testing ideas fairly, handling data and code, and explaining your work.

    Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 7h 18mAlso used in 34 other careers
  2. Step 2: Digital Literacy for Tech & STEM Work

    The everyday computer, internet, safety and AI skills every tech and STEM job assumes you already have.

    Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 6h 8mAlso used in 34 other careers
  3. Step 3: Professional Communication & Teamwork

    Write clear emails and documents, present and run meetings, work well on teams, and navigate résumés, interviews and networking.

    Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 7h 24mAlso used in 34 other careers
  4. Step 4: Math for Tech & STEM

    The practical math behind tech and STEM work: numbers, algebra, functions, geometry, logic and counting, with short code exercises.

    Level: Beginner5 modules · 15 lessons · 7h 32mAlso used in 34 other careers
  5. Step 5: Git & the Command Line

    Use the terminal with confidence, track your work with Git, and collaborate on GitHub with pull requests.

    Level: Beginner3 modules · 9 lessons · 5h 57mAlso used in 15 other careers
  6. Step 6: Python Fundamentals

    Learn to program in Python from zero: values, decisions, loops, functions, data structures, files, modules and a small data project.

    Level: Beginner5 modules · 15 lessons · 9h 53mAlso used in 22 other careers
  7. Step 7: SQL Fundamentals

    Query, summarise, join and change data in a relational database with SQL, practised in your browser.

    Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 5h 44mAlso used in 11 other careers
  8. Step 8: Statistics Fundamentals

    Describe data, reason with probability, and draw honest conclusions from samples, with short fill-in-the-blank Python exercises.

    Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 6h 50mAlso used in 14 other careers
  9. Step 9: Networking Fundamentals

    Learn how data moves between computers: layers, IP addresses and subnets, ports, DNS, DHCP, HTTPS, and the tools to troubleshoot it.

    Level: Beginner3 modules · 9 lessons · 5h 11mAlso used in 8 other careers
  10. Step 10: Foundations for Software, Data, Design & Tech Education Careers

    Understand tech roles and career ladders, pick a realistic learning route, build portfolio evidence, and navigate postings, interviews and your first 90 days.

    Level: Beginner3 modules · 9 lessons · 7h 22mAlso used in 20 other careers
  11. Step 11: Intro to Data Analysis with Python

    Load, clean, reshape and explore real data with Python and pandas, then turn the results into clear findings.

    Level: Intermediate4 modules · 13 lessons · 12h 55mAlso used in 10 other careers
  12. Step 12: Data Structures & Algorithms

    Measure efficiency with Big-O, then use searching, sorting, hash maps, stacks, linked lists, trees, graphs and dynamic programming in Python.

    Level: Intermediate4 modules · 12 lessons · 7h 37mAlso used in 7 other careers
  13. Step 13: Linux Administration

    Run a Linux server with confidence: users and permissions, services, packages, logs, SSH keys, bash scripts and scheduled jobs.

    Level: Intermediate3 modules · 9 lessons · 10h 12mAlso used in 6 other careers
  14. Step 14: Cloud Fundamentals

    Learn how the public cloud works: service models, regions, shared responsibility, compute, storage, networking, IAM, secrets and cost control, using free tiers only.

    Level: Intermediate3 modules · 10 lessons · 5h 57mAlso used in 3 other careers
  15. Step 15: Calculus & Linear Algebra for STEM

    The calculus and linear algebra behind science, engineering and machine learning: derivatives, integrals, vectors, matrices, gradients and eigenvalues, with Python exercises.

    Level: Intermediate4 modules · 12 lessons · 7h 48mAlso used in 11 other careers
  16. Step 16: Probability & Statistical Inference

    Model uncertainty with random variables and distributions, then estimate, test and update beliefs from data, with Python simulations you run in the browser.

    Level: Intermediate4 modules · 12 lessons · 9h 26mAlso used in 7 other careers
  17. Step 17: Machine Learning Foundations

    Learn how machines learn from data: implement regression, trees, metrics, k-means, PCA and anomaly detection from scratch in NumPy, and practise honest evaluation.

    Level: Intermediate4 modules · 12 lessons · 6h 49mAlso used in 1 other career
  18. Step 18: Applied Machine Learning

    Go from classic ML to the models used at work: neural networks, embeddings, CNNs, gradient boosting and LLM apps, plus evaluation, experiment tracking and a capstone.

    Level: Mid-level4 modules · 12 lessons · 10h 4mAlso used in 1 other career
  19. Step 19: MLOps: Production Machine Learning

    Take models from notebook to production: reproducible training, serving APIs, retrainable pipelines, CI/CD for ML, drift detection, monitoring and governance.

    Level: Mid-level3 modules · 9 lessons · 5h 2m

Skills you'll build

Python

A beginner-friendly, general-purpose language popular in data, AI, and scripting.

Algorithms

Step-by-step procedures for solving problems efficiently. Show up in every interview.

Data Structures

How data is organized in memory — lists, trees, graphs, hash maps. Underpins everything.

Cloud Fundamentals

Core concepts of cloud providers (AWS, GCP, Azure): compute, storage, networking, IAM.

Docker

Containerization tool that packages applications so they run the same everywhere.

Statistics

The math of uncertainty. Foundation for data analysis, science, and machine learning.

Free resources to get started

Hand-picked courses and reading from trusted free providers.

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