Staff Applied AI/ML Engineer

Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; New York, NY About Gusto At Gusto, we're on a mission to grow the small business economy. We handle the hard stuff — payroll, health insurance, 401(k)s, and HR — so owners can focus on their craft and their customers. With teams in Denver, San Francisco, and New York, we support more than 500,000 small businesses nationwide and are building a workplace that reflects the people we serve. All full-time employees receive competitive base pay, benefits, and equity (RSUs) — because everyone who helps build Gusto should share in its success. Offer amounts are determined by role, level, and location. Learn more about our Total Rewards philosophy. AI is a fundamental part of how work gets done at Gusto. We expect all team members to actively engage with AI tools relevant to their role and grow their fluency as the technology evolves. AI experience requirements vary by role and will be assessed during the interview process.

About the role

Gusto is looking for a Staff AI/ML Engineer to join the Applied Data Science team at Gusto Retirement-App. This is a critical role to build AI and ML framework and infrastructure to enable us to strengthen and optimize how data is used to enable customer journey and experience at Gusto.

Here’s what you’ll do day-to-day

• Develop, test, and deploy AI/ML models to solve complex business problems, such as anomaly detection, personalized experience, generative AI application, algorithm & optimization.
• Transition models from proof-of-concept to production-ready solutions, ensuring scalability and performance.
• Review and contribute to codebases, participate in pull requests, and maintain high-quality engineering standards.
• Work with containerized environments to deploy, monitor, and troubleshoot ML services.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including analytics, engineering, products and business stakeholders, to align solutions with organizational needs.
• Become a domain expert in key business areas, enabling you to craft intelligent, impactful data-driven solutions.

Here’s what we’re looking for

• PhD with 3+ years or MS with 5+ years of industry experience in applied ML/GenAI, data science, or a related field.
• Proven track record of developing and deploying ML solutions in production, from PoC to scalable systems.
• Strong programming skills (Python, Javascript, C++, Java, or Scala) and proficiency in SQL for data extraction and manipulation.
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS,GCP or Azure), MLOps,and containerization (Docker,Kubernetes).
• Ability to work cross-functionally, translating business needs into AI-driven solutions and communicating effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Our cash compensation amount for this role is targeted at:

• $230k-280k for San Francisco , New York ,and Seattle
• $205k -255k in Los Angeles
• $185k -234k in Denver
• 200k -250k CAD for Toronto

Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experienceand expertiseand may vary from the amounts listed above. Gusto has physical office spaces in Denver , San Francisco ,and New York City . Employees who are based in those locations will be expected to work from the office on designated days approximately 2 -3 days per week (or more depending on role). The same office expectations apply to all Symmetry roles , Gusto's subsidiary whose physical office is in Scottsdale . Note: The San Francisco office expectations encompass both the San Franciscoand San Jose metro areas . When approved to work from a location other than a Gusto office , a secure , reliable ,and consistent internet connection is required . This includes non-office days for hybrid employees . Our customers come from all walks of lifeand so do we . We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds not just because it's the right thingto do but because it makes our company stronger . If you share our valuesand our enthusiasm for small businesses you will find a home at Gusto . Gusto is proudto be an equal opportunity employer . We do not discriminatein hiring or any employment decision based on race color religion national origin age sex (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions) marital status ancestry physical or mental disability genetic information veteran status gender identity or expression sexual orientation or other applicable legally protected characteristic . Gusto considers qualified applicantswith criminal histories consistentwith applicable federal stateand local law . Gusto is also committedto providing reasonable accommodationsfor qualified individualswith disabilitiesand disabled veteransin our job application procedures . We wantto see our candidates performto the bestof their ability . If you requirea medicalor religious accommodationat any time throughout your candidate journey please fill out this formanda memberof our teamwill getin touchwith you . Gusto takes securityand protectionof your personal information very seriously . Please reviewour Fraudulent Activity Disclaimer . Personal information collectedand processedas partof your Gusto applicationwill be subjectto Gusto's Applicant Privacy Notice.