Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer - US
at Workiva
🏢 About Workiva
Workiva is a leader in integrated ESG reporting, helping organizations streamline their climate impact and compliance efforts. What sets us apart is our focus on building AI-powered solutions that simplify complex regulatory requirements, making a tangible impact on sustainability. Joining Workiva means working on cutting-edge AI systems that directly contribute to transparent and responsible business practices.
About This Role
As a Senior Staff ML Engineer, you will own the architecture of Workiva’s AI platform, shaping how machine learning, Generative AI, and agentic systems are integrated across products. This role is impactful because you'll lead the design of enterprise agentic systems, establish evaluation frameworks for GenAI, and ensure secure, compliant AI deployment—directly influencing how Workiva delivers value to customers in the ESG space.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a stand-up with your team to discuss progress on the AI platform's architecture, followed by deep-dive sessions on designing a new agentic workflow for ESG data extraction. After lunch, you might review a design doc for multi-agent coordination, then meet with product to evaluate a new GenAI evaluation framework. You'll also spend time coding in Python, reviewing pull requests, and mentoring junior engineers on secure AI practices.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Workiva Is Looking For
- You have 10+ years of software engineering experience with large-scale SaaS platforms and 5+ years in production ML/AI systems, demonstrating deep expertise in RAG, agentic systems, and knowledge systems.
- You are expert-level in Python and proficient in at least one production language like Java, Go, Scala, or C++, with a track record of designing and operating data-intensive systems at scale.
- You have experience leading the design of secure AI platforms, including authorization, runtime isolation, governance, auditability, and compliance, particularly in enterprise environments.
- You are passionate about establishing evaluation methods and quality frameworks for Generative AI applications, and you stay current with emerging AI technologies to assess their potential impact.
📝 Tips for Applying to Workiva
Highlight specific projects where you designed and deployed agentic systems or RAG-based solutions at scale, including metrics on performance, reliability, and security.
Tailor your resume to emphasize experience with enterprise-grade AI platform architecture, particularly around governance, compliance, and auditability—key for Workiva's ESG focus.
In your cover letter, mention your familiarity with ESG reporting or regulatory compliance domains, even if indirect, to show alignment with Workiva's mission.
Showcase your proficiency in Python and at least one other production language (e.g., Java) through concrete examples of building large-scale SaaS systems.
Include a link to your GitHub or a portfolio with code samples of AI/ML systems you've architected, especially any open-source contributions related to agentic systems or GenAI evaluation.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Emphasize your experience architecting AI platforms for security and compliance, linking it to Workiva's need for trustworthy AI in ESG reporting.", 'Highlight your expertise in agentic systems and multi-agent coordination, as this role specifically leads the design of enterprise agentic systems.', 'Mention your ability to establish evaluation frameworks for GenAI applications, showing you can ensure quality and reliability in production.', "Connect your technical background to Workiva's mission of streamlining ESG reporting, demonstrating how your skills can drive transparent climate impact."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study Workiva's current product offerings, especially their ESG reporting platform, to understand how AI can enhance their value proposition.
- → Read about Workiva's approach to AI governance and compliance, including any published blogs or white papers on responsible AI.
- → Familiarize yourself with the regulatory landscape for ESG reporting (e.g., SEC climate rules, EU CSRD) to see how AI can simplify compliance.
- → Look into Workiva's engineering blog or tech talks to understand their tech stack and culture around AI/ML.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't focus solely on model training; this role is about platform architecture and production systems, not just building models.
- Avoid generic AI buzzwords without concrete examples; be specific about your experience with RAG, agentic systems, and security.
- Don't neglect the compliance and governance aspects; this role is in a regulated domain, so emphasize your experience with auditability and secure design.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!