Lead Machine Learning Engineer

What is this role about?

As the Lead Machine Learning Engineer at Bondora, you will be the backbone of our Data Science delivery. Your mission is to build the robust infrastructure that powers automated model pipelines, ensures deployment reliability, and governs the full ML lifecycle from experimentation to production.

This is a strategic and hands on engineering role. You will collaborate closely with Data Science, Data Engineering, and Development teams to remove friction, improve scalability, and bring stable, high quality ML solutions into everyday decision making.

You will guide the evolution of our ML engineering stack, lead high impact initiatives, and mentor engineers while shaping a culture of technical excellence 🌿

Your main responsibilities 🎯

• Guide the technical direction of Bondora’s ML engineering stack by selecting, evaluating, and implementing technologies, tools, and processes that improve scalability and reliability.
• Lead complex, high risk, or cross departmental projects that directly influence Data Science delivery, risk model performance, and production stability.
• Act as the bridge between Data Science, Data Engineering, and Development to identify and solve systemic technical challenges.
• Design and build advanced, production grade ML infrastructure and set the engineering standard for the team.
• Ensure all ML solutions are secure, observable, resilient, and scalable, following governance, compliance, and operational best practices.
• Mentor ML Engineers through code reviews, design sessions, and hands on technical leadership.
• Identify weaknesses or inefficiencies in model or data infrastructure and drive company wide improvements.
• Represent the ML Engineering team in technical discussions and communicate architectural decisions clearly to stakeholders.

What would ensure success in this role?💪

• Strong Python engineering background and experience with MLflow, Unity Catalog, Databricks, or equivalent platforms used for model lifecycle management.
• Proven experience designing ML infrastructure, including CI/CD, containerization with Docker or Kubernetes, and orchestration with Airflow or Prefect.
• Deep understanding of monitoring and observability frameworks such as Prometheus, Grafana, or Datadog, and a track record of improving pipeline reliability.
• Expertise in model governance, versioning, auditability, and operationalization from research to production.
• Solid knowledge of cloud infrastructure on AWS, GCP, or Azure, including cost effectiveness and security best practices.
• Experience leading cross functional initiatives and mentoring engineers.
• Ability to balance innovation and stability through structured experimentation, pilot phases, and safe adoption of new technologies.

What can you expect at Bondora? 

• Contribute to Bondora’s ambitious goal of reaching 1BN in revenue. Your skills and efforts will directly impact our growth trajectory and shape the future of our company.
• Our employees deserve the best. We recognize our people with a competitive salary and a generous benefits package (5 weeks of vacation, private healthcare compensation, hobby grant, mental healthcare support, share options and much more!)
• We provide an environment that encourages your personal and professional growth. As we constantly evolve and innovate, you’ll have endless opportunities (and budget) to expand your skills and skyrocket your career.

The next steps

If you have the guts, ideas, and a team vision, apply now! 

Our hiring process: 

• Meet Iryna, our recruiter, for an initial conversation about your background and ambitions.
• Complete our personality and logic assessments via Alva Labs.
• Meet Rafael, Head of Data Science.
• Complete a life case study with Timothy (ML Engineer) and Rafael.
• Chat with Juris, our Chief Credit Officer.
• If everything aligns, welcome to Bondora 🎉