Staff Machine Learning Engineer, AI Product and Platform

Company: BetterUp
Location: Schiller Park
Posted on: January 13, 2026

Job Description:

Even our candidate experience is different. And when you get an offer from us (and accept it), you get way more than a paycheck. You get a personal BetterUp Coach, a development plan, a trained and coached manager, the most amazing team you’ve ever met (yes, each with their own personal BetterUp Coach), and most importantly, work that matters. This makes for a remarkably focused and fulfilling work experience. Frankly, it’s not for everyone. But for people with fire in their belly, it’s a game-changing, career-defining, soul-lifting move. Join us and we promise you the most intense and fulfilling years of your career, doing life-changing work in a fun, inventive, soulful culture. If that sounds exciting—and the job description below feels like a fit—we really should start talking. AI is transforming the future of coaching—and BetterUp is at the forefront of that transformation. We’re seeking a creative, product-minded machine learning engineer who’s eager to roll up their sleeves and help shape what comes next alongside our world-class team. The ideal candidate is motivated by impact, thrives in fast-paced and ambiguous environments, and brings clarity where there’s complexity. You’re someone who values empowering your teammates as much as your own growth, and who stays focused on what matters most: delivering meaningful, human-centered value to our members and customers. At BetterUp, we support and challenge one another to grow, always with empathy and excellence. We’re looking for someone who shares our commitment to continuous learning, who takes pride in craftspersonship, and who believes deeply in the power of technology to drive positive change in the world. And because we know peak performance comes from balance, we foster a culture that supports you in bringing your full self to our mission. We are a hybrid company with a focus on in-person collaboration when necessary. Employees are expected to be available to work from one of our office hubs at least two days per week, or eight days per month. Our US hub locations include: Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; New York City, NY; San Francisco, CA; and the Washington, DC metro area. If this is a role based in Europe, our Europe hub locations are London, UK and Amsterdam, NL. Please ensure you can realistically commit to this structure before applying. What you’ll do: • Design and deliver state-of-the-art Generative AI systems and experiences that set the standard for quality, engagement, and trust in coaching. • Mentor and elevate engineers at all levels through technical guidance, code and design reviews, and thought partnership, raising the bar for engineering excellence. • Collaborate deeply with cross-functional partners across product, research, design, and engineering, to ship and scale first-of-their-kind AI coaching products. • Shape direction and scope by developing a deep understanding of customer needs and translating them into technical strategy and product roadmaps. • Stay ahead of the curve in Generative AI research and practice, leading conversations on emerging technologies and how to responsibly bring them into production. If you have some or all of the following, please apply: • 7 years as an ML engineer and 3 years of hands-on experience building and shipping products on top of leading LLMs • Proven track record designing, implementing, and evaluating LLM outputs • Experience fine-tuning smaller models or adapting foundation models to improve quality, engagement, and scalability • Background at a leading AI research lab or equivalent experience staying at the forefront of Applied ML/AI, GenAI, with strong software engineering skills and a deep understanding of LLM internals • A high degree of initiative and ownership, combined with the ability to navigate ambiguity and adapt quickly to change • Experience working collaboratively in a cross-functional team and with people at all levels in an organization • Alignment with BetterUps mission of enabling individuals to maximize their potential • Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, verbally and in writing • A passion for continuous learning, customer empathy, and a desire to innovate within a fast-paced environment. AI at BetterUp Our team thrives at the intersection of human expertise and AI capability. As an AI-forward company, adaptation and continuous learning are part of our daily work. Were looking for teammates who are excited to evolve alongside technology – people who experiment boldly, share their discoveries openly, and help define best practices for AI-augmented work. These professionals thoughtfully integrate AI into their work to deliver exceptional results while maintaining the human judgment and creativity that drives real innovation. During our interview process, you’ll have opportunities to showcase how you harness AI to learn, iterate, and amplify your impact. Benefits: At BetterUp, we are committed to living out our mission every day and that starts with providing benefits that allow our employees to care for themselves, support their families, and give back to their community. • Access to BetterUp coaching; one for you and one for a friend or family member • A competitive compensation plan with opportunity for advancement • Medical, dental, and vision insurance • Flexible paid time off • Per year: o All federal/statutory holidays observed o 4 BetterUp Inner Workdays o 5 Volunteer Days to give back o Learning and Development stipend o Company wide Summer & Winter breaks • Year-round charitable contribution of your choice on behalf of BetterUp • 401(k) self contribution

Keywords: BetterUp, Skokie , Staff Machine Learning Engineer, AI Product and Platform, IT / Software / Systems , Schiller Park, Illinois