8+ years of professional experience in software development or data science 5+ years specifically focused on building and deploying machine learning models in a production environment Expertise in Python and ML libraries/frameworks (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, etc.) Deep understanding of core ML concepts Strong SQL skills and experience with large datasets Experience with ML deployment patterns and MLOps principles Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) MS or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or equivalent practical experience