Senior AI/ML Engineer - Contract-to-Hire Opportunity

We are seeking a Senior AI/ML Engineer for a contract-to-hire role to help build an AI-native logistics platform. The role focuses on designing and scaling backend AI systems that power autonomous workflows, including load sourcing, ranking and matching, and document and data extraction. The ideal candidate has experience building and deploying production AI/ML systems and working with LLM-based architectures such as agent workflows and RAG. Strong backend engineering skills in Python (FastAPI preferred), API integrations, and event-driven systems are required. Experience with production ML systems, embeddings, semantic search, workflow orchestration, cloud infrastructure (AWS), databases (MongoDB or similar), and AI system monitoring is highly valuable. This is a full-time contract-to-hire role with the potential for long-term engagement, working closely with founders in a fast-paced startup environment.