Becoming a machine learning (ML) engineer in Canada can be one of the most rewarding and exciting careers for you provided you are technologically inclined. This is partly because of Canada’s standing as one of the top innovative tech hubs of the world.
Canada has vibrant tech ecosystems in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal and this is why it has attained the position of a leader in global research on artificial intelligence (AI). This has also increased the demand for skilled ML engineers across industries in the North American country.
As a machine learning engineer, you can make anywhere between CAD 83,000 and CAD 100,000 a year in Canada, a statistic that shows the importance and standing of these professionals over here.
They perform specialized tasks like developing intelligent systems and algorithms that help machines learn and make predictions. So let us explore how to become a machine learning engineer in Canada.
Source: Glassdoor
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How to Become a Machine Learning Engineer in Canada?
ML engineering is one of the most rewarding and fastest-growing careers in Canada these days. This is why everybody wants to know how to become a machine learning engineer in Canada.
1. Building a Strong Educational Foundation
This is the first step in becoming an ML engineer in Canada – a strong academic background. In most cases, employers in Canada look for at least a bachelor’s degree in any of the following subjects:
- Computer Science
- Software Engineering
- AI
- Statistics
- Data Science
- Mathematics
2. Mastering Core Technical and Analytical Skills
As an ML engineer, you will work at the meeting point of programming, data modeling, and statistics. For that, you need to become an expert in the following areas:
- Programming Languages
- Data Management
- Statistics and Mathematics
- Cloud Platforms
- ML Tools and Frameworks
3. Gaining Practical Experience through Projects and Internships
Do you want to know how to become a machine learning engineer in Canada? Then, you should know that recruiters in Canada value practical experience highly. You can make your profile stronger with the following:
- Internships
- Kaggle Challenges
- Co-Op Programs
- Academic Research Projects
Also Read: AI and Machine Learning Careers in Canada: Pathways and Job Prospects
4. Earning Professional Certifications
Certifications are proof of your technical knowledge – they also ensure that you stay updated with the evolving standards of the tech industry in Canada. Some of the leading providers of such certifications in Canada are tech giants like:
- Microsoft
- Amazon
- International Business Machines (IBM)
Also read: How Machine Learning Careers Are Evolving with Generative AI in Canada
5. Building Your Network and Advancing Your Career
Networking plays a crucial role in the tech landscape of Canada. To this end, you can attend AI meetups, conferences, and workshops in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Doing this will help you connect with recruiters and industry professionals.
Also read: Emerging AI & Machine Learning Trends to Watch in Canada
Roles and Key Responsibilities of a Machine Learning Engineer
Knowing the core roles and responsibilities of an ML engineer is an integral part of knowing how to become an ML engineer:
- Model Research and Development
- Data Management
- Model Optimization and Training
- Monitoring and Deployment
- Collaboration
- Technical Expertise
- Visualization and Analysis
Machine Learning Engineer Salary Outlook
The average annual salary for a machine learning engineer in Canada is CAD 100,000. Entry-level ML engineers with 1 to 3 years of experience earn between CAD 83,000 and CAD 100,000 per year in Canada.
ML engineers in Canada with experience between 4 and 6 years earn between CAD 95,000 and CAD 100,000 a year on average.
Ones with 7 to 9 years of experience earn an average of CAD 97,000 to CAD 100,000 per year.
With 10-14 years’ experience as an ML engineer in Canada you can earn between CAD 100,000 and CAD 200,000 a year on average.
Source: Glassdoor
Also read: Data Science vs. Machine Learning Engineer: Which Career is Right for You?
Essential Skills Required for Machine Learning Engineers
If you want to earn a high salary as an ML engineer, you need the right skills. The table below demonstrates the essential skills for ML engineers in Canada:
| Core Technical Skills | Specialized and Advanced Skills | Soft Skills |
| Programming Languages ML Expertise Deep Learning Data Pre processing and Handling Statistics and Mathematics Development and Operations (DevOps)ML Operations (MLOps) | Natural Language Processing (NLP) Generative AI Computer Vision Responsible AI Domain Knowledge | Communication Problem-Solving Collaboration Continuous Learning |
Career Path and Growth Opportunities in Machine Learning
Apart from knowing the machine learning scientist job description, you must also have a clear idea of the career paths and growing opportunities available in the domain:
| Entry-Level Roles | Mid-Level Roles | Leadership and Senior Roles |
| Junior ML Engineer Data Analyst AI Specialist ML Engineering Intern | ML Engineer Data Scientist Applied Scientist | Senior ML Engineer Lead ML Engineer Data Science Manager AI Research Scientist AI Product Manager |
Advance Your Machine Learning Career with upGrad
The ML programs offered via upGrad in Canada are among the best bets for becoming an ML engineer in the country. These programs offer you several benefits like flexible online learning, strong career support, and industry-relevant curricula.
- Master of Science in Machine Learning & AI, Liverpool John Moores University
- Executive Diploma in Machine Learning and AI, Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Bangalore
FAQs on How to Become a ML Engineer
If you want to become an ML engineer in Canada from scratch you have to begin by gaining a solid academic foundation in areas like data science and AI.
You need technical and programming skills along with knowledge of statistics and mathematics, and software engineering and soft skills to become an ML engineer in Canada.
The average salary of an ML engineer in Canada ranges between CAD 83,000 and CAD 100,000 a year. This figure increases with experience.
You do not necessarily need a university degree to become an ML engineer in Canada. However, most ML engineers have a bachelor’s degree in a quantitative domain.
For this, you will need to create a strong, project-based portfolio and leverage volunteer opportunities and professional networks.
