---
title: 'Senior Machine Learning Engineer at thatgamecompany'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-machine-learning-engineer-thatgamecompany-united-states-ep52zenm5kmf'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Senior Machine Learning Engineer at thatgamecompany

- **Company:** thatgamecompany
- **Location:** United States
- **Compensation:** $120k–$206k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-03-20
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/thatgamecompany/6eb64738-c5cf-43a7-852e-fac538ed5759/application

**Skills:** Machine Learning, Data Engineering, Statistical Modeling, Deep Learning, NLP, Anomaly Detection, Experimental Design, Hypothesis Testing, Kubernetes, GCP, Python, Java, Scala, SQL, Spark, Beam, BigQuery, Snowflake, Iceberg, Parquet

> The Senior Machine Learning Engineer drives core ML models and data training pipelines, owning projects end-to-end from inception to delivery. The role requires deep expertise in statistical modeling, deep learning, and scalable solution deployment, while collaborating with stakeholders to translate complex technica...

## Job description

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Remote US & Canada

We are seeking a highly motivated and autonomous Senior Machine Learning Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be a driving force behind our core ML models and underlying data and training pipelines. We are looking for a self-starter, someone who is internally driven, passionate about their craft, and capable of collaboratively identifying, prioritizing, and executing workflows with their peers and stakeholders. If you thrive in an environment where you are trusted to own your projects end-to-end and can seamlessly explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, we want to hear from you.

We expect you to:

- Have deep passion for video games and think on behalf of our players
- Be curious, a problem solver and a self starter who is comfortable taking risks and proactively identifying and pursuing business needs. Know how and when to apply your knowledge, and be willing to share it with those around you
- Be comfortable with ambiguity and able to navigate it to iteratively refine the problem space
- Be responsible for your domain of expertise on projects from inception to delivery and beyond

Required Skills

- 5+ years of experience in Machine Learning, Data Engineering, or a related quantitative field, with a track record of delivering end-to-end ML products
- Expert knowledge of statistical modeling and ML methods including Classical ML, Deep Learning, NLP, and Anomaly Detection, with the ability to select the right tools for the task
- Demonstrated proficiency in experimental design, hypothesis testing, and evaluating model performance
- Proven track record of building and deploying scalable ML solutions in production, ideally using Kubernetes and GCP
- Strong proficiency in Python, Java, or Scala, with an emphasis on writing clean, maintainable, and production-ready code, alongside the ability to write highly optimized SQL for complex dataset construction
- Mastery of optimized SQL and experience with big data processing frameworks (e.g., Spark, Beam) and modern data lakehouse formats (e.g., BigQuery, Snowflake, Iceberg, Parquet)
- Exceptional ability to translate complex technical architectures and ML concepts for non-technical stakeholders

## Preferred Experience

Any of the following would be highly preferred, but most of all, we value team players who are eager to learn and contribute:

- Experience with graph databases, collaborative filtering, or user vectorization
- Experience with large-scale sentiment analysis
- Experience with Typescript or Golang
- Experience with source control, CICD, Protobuf, or infrastructure as code
- Experience in the video game industry
- Experience in a small company with a startup feel
- Interest in technical writing and sharing your work

Perks:

- Paid Time Off, Holidays and Two Weeks Winter Break
- Employees and their dependents get medical, dental, and vision coverage, regardless of their level, tenure, or position within the company. Moreover, these benefits start on the first day of the job—there’s no waiting period before they kick in.
- Pet Insurance for those who need it too.
- Compassionate leave for employees who needs to take care of their family members
- Pre-tax wellness stipend
- Pre-tax work from home stipend
- Access our savings plan (401K program) with company match
- Mental health resources including Headspace membership and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Discount portal for everyday goods and services
- Employee inclusive and diversity initiatives such as Grow Together
- Support for personal professional development

We look forward to meeting you!

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

The salary range for this position is $120,000 USD to $205,700 USD annually, with the opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the Company’s compensation practices. Employees in this position are eligible to participate in the Company’s standard employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision, 401k, and paid time off.

Our base pay is benchmarked against regional market and industry data and is adjusted to reflect the cost of living in your specific geographic area.

#LI-Remote

## About thatgamecompany

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: thatgamecompany is an independent game studio dedicated to creating timeless, emotionally resonant interactive entertainment that inspires human connection worldwide.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Privately Held; last reported funding round in 2022 with $160M investment)
- **Headquarters**: Santa Monica, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2006 (founded on May 15, 2006)
- **Founders**: Jenova Chen, Kellee Santiago

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Video games / Interactive entertainment
- **Target customers**: B2C – broad audience of all ages and backgrounds; mobile, console, and PC gamers
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “Create timeless entertainment that makes positive change to the human psyche worldwide.”

## Products & Services
- **[flOw (2007)](https://thatgamecompany.com/our-history/)**: A downloadable game originally a Flash title, remade for PlayStation Network with enhanced visuals and multiplayer. Focuses on intuitive, meditative gameplay.
- **[Flower (2009)](https://thatgamecompany.com/our-history/)**: A PS3 title where the player controls the wind to guide petals through landscapes. Evokes emotions of tranquility and wonder. Inducted into the Smithsonian’s permanent collection.
- **[Journey (2012)](https://thatgamecompany.com/our-history/)**: Award-winning PS3 game about a pilgrim crossing a desert towards a mountain. Known for its anonymous multiplayer cooperation and emotional storytelling.
- **[Sky: Children of the Light (2019)](https://thatgamecompany.com/our-history/)**: Free-to-play mobile/console/PC game (spiritual successor to Journey). Players explore magical realms, fly using capes, and meet other players. Available on iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Windows. Reached 100 million installations by May 2021. Chosen as Apple’s iPhone Game of the Year 2019.
- **Upcoming fifth game (in development)**: Described by founder Jenova Chen as “like a theme park” and “the most ambitious game I have built.”

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue – $17.8M (estimated 2025 data); Total Funding – $36.1M per LinkedIn (prior rounds) **plus** a $160M investment announced in March 2022 (with Pixar co-founder Edwin Catmull as advisor). (Sources conflict slightly; the $160M appears to be a later, larger round not reflected in the LinkedIn summary)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Benchmark (led Series A), Capital Today (led Series B), Edwin Catmull (advisor, former Pixar co-founder). Past partners include Sony Computer Entertainment (initial contract for three PlayStation Network games).
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 16% YoY to ~198 employees; operates across 15 countries; Sky continues to expand platforms (Windows early access April 2024); active job postings: 24 (yearly trend +4.3%). Announced a new game jam (“thatgamejam”) in June 2025 focused on creativity and emotion.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unique emotional design philosophy**: Games are designed by first mapping out desired player emotions rather than mechanics, creating experiences rarely found in mainstream gaming.
- **Artistic credibility and legacy**: flOw, Flower, and Journey are critically acclaimed and exhibited in museums like the Smithsonian. The studio is recognized as a pioneer of art games.
- **Broad accessibility**: Games are intuitive, controller-friendly, and designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages and cultures.
- **Long-term relationship with a passionate community**: Sky has a dedicated player base with millions of installations, supported by live operations and regular content updates.
- **Creative autonomy**: The company prioritizes innovation over blockbuster financial pressure, enabling risk-taking on emotionally rich projects.

## Strategic Focus
- **Expanding Sky: Children of the Light** – continued platform releases, live content, and regional brand growth (e.g., dedicated brand managers for Indonesia, China).
- **Developing the next-generation title** – described as “the most ambitious” yet, with a theme-park-like scale.
- **Deepening AI and machine learning capabilities** – open positions for Senior Machine Learning Engineer and Full-stack Engineer (AI application focused) indicate investment in AI-driven gameplay or operations.
- **Fostering internal creativity** – initiatives like thatgamejam encourage experimentation across the studio.
- **Strengthening global presence** – operating in 15 countries with localized teams for publishing, support, and marketing.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: The studio describes itself as “compassionate, creative” and values “integrity and personal growth within an environment of intense collaboration and experimentation.” Employee rating on LinkedIn: 4.2/5.0 (11 reviews), with Culture score 4.3, Work-Life 4.2, Compensation 4.2, Career 4.1.
- **Remote/Hybrid/Office Policy**: Not explicitly stated in provided sources, but headquarters in Santa Monica, California is a physical studio. The company previously planned a second studio in SF Bay Area (cancelled due to COVID) and now operates distributed across 15 countries, suggesting flexible/remote options are possible.
- **Notable Perks & Engineering Culture**: Emphasis on “making magic” and pushing artistic boundaries; tech stack includes Kubernetes, Docker, Prometheus, Protobuf, Tableau, microservices, and GitHub. Employees come from top entertainment/tech companies (Pixar, Blizzard, Riot Games, Amazon, Unity, etc.), indicating a high-caliber peer group.
- **Growth Opportunity**: With 24 active job postings (including Engineering, AI, Art, Marketing, Data) and a yearly hiring trend +4.3%, the studio is expanding. Roles such as Senior Data Analyst, Senior Machine Learning Engineer, and 3D Environment Artist signal opportunities to work on flagship products.
- **Mission-driven work**: Opportunity to contribute to games that aim to make a positive impact on players’ lives and expand the emotional range of the medium.

## Sources
1. [thatgamecompany.com – Official Site, About, Careers, News](https://thatgamecompany.com/)
2. [thatgamecompany Careers Page](https://thatgamecompany.com/careers/)
3. [LinkedIn Company Profile for thatgamecompany](https://www.linkedin.com/company/thatgamecompany)
4. [Wikipedia – thatgamecompany](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThatGameCompany)
5. [thatgamecompany – Our History](https://thatgamecompany.com/our-history/)

## Other roles at thatgamecompany

- [3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)](https://feeny.ai/job/3d-character-artist-mid-senior-thatgamecompany-united-states-hnr65zscpf8x) — United States
- [Build Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/build-engineer-thatgamecompany-united-states-188c9cwh2mnb) — United States
- [Technical Game Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-game-designer-thatgamecompany-shanghai-gm4tx8xkhkr4) — Shanghai, China
- [Marketing Lead - Europe](https://feeny.ai/job/marketing-lead-europe-thatgamecompany-london-7h8tx7wgfvxj) — London, Europe
- [Regional Creative Lead, NA, EMEA & LATAM](https://feeny.ai/job/regional-creative-lead-na-emea-latam-thatgamecompany-united-states-k4ks4fj458x4) — United States
- [UGC & Creator Community Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/ugc-creator-community-specialist-thatgamecompany-shanghai-sfsxkhkb70sp) — Shanghai, China
- [IP & Experiential Marketing Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/ip-experiential-marketing-manager-thatgamecompany-shanghai-sqyjzh1vnj0e) — Shanghai, China
- [Senior/Principal Graphics Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-principal-graphics-engineer-thatgamecompany-united-states-7ds3q5qbpk3y) — United States
- [Senior Graphics Engineer,Shanghai](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-graphics-engineer-shanghai-thatgamecompany-shanghai-djy8f8bacxbt) — Shanghai, China
- [Social Media Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/social-media-specialist-thatgamecompany-shanghai-cd209qcb7dj1) — Shanghai, China