Sr. Machine Learning Engineer

Description Hi, We’re AppFolio We’re innovators, changemakers, and collaborators. We’re more than just a software company — we’re building the cloud and AI-native platform where the real estate industry comes to do business. We’re revolutionizing how property managers operate, how residents live, and how intelligence flows through an entire industry. We are now building the next generation of our platform with AI at the core. Realm-X is AppFolio’s AI platform powering this transformation: Assistant : a GenAI copilot embedded across the product experience Flows: an agentic workflow system enabling automation of complex business processes Performers: real-time, multi-modal AI agents operating across voice, text, email, and chat We are building not only these experiences, but also the platform that enables teams across AppFolio to contribute and extend AI capabilities. At the foundation are deep agents , built on a real estate ontology and domain primitives (transactions, actions, reports, metrics, and skills), allowing AI systems to understand and operate across the full business context of AppFolio — powering both employee productivity and end-to-end automation. Who we are looking for We’re seeking a Sr Machine Learning Engineer to play a critical role in shaping Realm-X and the future of AI at AppFolio. This is a high-impact position focused on defining architecture, building next-generation AI systems, and influencing technical direction across teams. You will work at the intersection of machine learning, distributed systems, and product innovation to create AI systems that move beyond assistance into execution. Responsibilities: Define and drive the technical vision and architecture for AI systems within Realm-X Design and build deep, context-aware agents leveraging domain ontologies and structured business primitives Lead the development of agentic workflows (Flows) that combine reasoning, planning, and execution Architect systems for real-time, multi-modal AI agents (Performers) across communication channels Build and evolve platform capabilities (tools, memory, evaluation systems, abstractions) to enable broad internal adoption Translate ambiguous, high-impact problems into scalable, production-ready AI systems Establish best practices for LLM evaluation, observability, safety, and iteration loops Collaborate cross-functionally with product, design, and engineering leaders to shape strategy and execution Mentor engineers and raise the technical bar across the organization Identify and introduce emerging AI technologies and paradigms that create leverage for the business You know you’re the right fit if… You think in terms of systems and platforms , not just features You have a track record of building and deploying ML/AI systems in production at scale You are comfortable operating in high ambiguity and defining direction where none exists You can lead through influence , aligning multiple teams around a technical vision You balance long-term architecture with pragmatic delivery You are motivated by high-impact problems that shape products and business outcomes Additional Skills and Knowledge: Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related technical field (required) Extensive experience developing and deploying machine learning systems in production environments Strong software engineering expertise with languages such as Python, Go, Ruby, or JavaScript Deep understanding of distributed systems, APIs, and cloud infrastructure (AWS or similar) Experience leading large, cross-functional technical initiatives Ability to design systems that integrate structured data, models, and real-time decisioning Nice to Have: Experience with LLMs, AI agents, and tool-using systems (e.g., LangChain, LangGraph, OpenAI APIs) Familiarity with agentic architectures , planning/execution loops, and orchestration frameworks Experience building domain-specific ontologies, knowledge graphs, or semantic layers evaluation frameworks for AI systems (offline and online) Background in workflow orchestration systems (e.g., Temporal) Experience building platforms that enable other engineering teams Exposure to multi-modal AI systems (voice, chat, email, etc.) Compensation & Benefits The compensation that we reasonably expect to pay for this role is: 167,200.00 - 209,000.00 base pay. The actual compensation for this role will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, education, experience, and internal equity. Please note that compensation is just one aspect of a comprehensive Total Rewards package. The compensation range listed here does not include additional benefits or any discretionary bonuses you may be eligible for based on your role and/or employment type. Regular full-time employees are eligible for benefits - see here . #LI-KB1 About AppFolio AppFolio is the technology leader powering the future of the real estate industry. Our innovative platform and trusted partnership enable our customers to connect communities, increase operational efficiency, and grow their business. For more information about AppFolio, visit appfolio.com. Why AppFolio Grow | We enable a culture of high performance, where delivering results is recognized by opportunities for growth and compelling total rewards. Our challenging and meaningful work drive the growth of our business, and ourselves. Learn | We partner with you to realize your potential by investing in you from the start. We're cultivating a team of big thinkers through coaching and mentorship with our best-in-class leaders, and giving you the time and tools to develop your skills. Impact | We are creating a world where living in, investing in, managing, and supporting communities feels magical and effortless, freeing people to thrive. We do this by innovating with purpose while cultivating a culture of impact. We learn as much from each other as we do our customers and our communities. Connect | We excel at hybrid work by fostering an environment that feels flexible, personal and connected, no matter where we are. We create space to fuel innovation and collaboration, and we come together to celebrate, connect, and succeed. Paddle as One. Learn more at appfolio.com/company/careers Statement of Equal Opportunity At AppFolio, we value diversity in backgrounds and perspectives and depend on it to drive our innovative culture. That’s why we’re a proud Equal Opportunity Employer, and we believe that our products, our teams, and our business are stronger because of it. This means that no matter what race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, age, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or veteran status, you’re always welcome at AppFolio.