Key Takeaways
- A specialized staffing agency takes the headache out of finding machine learning talent by handling the sourcing, vetting, and hiring legwork, so you get the right expertise without the recruitment hassle.
- Making a bad hire hurts—lost productivity, project delays, and the costs of rehiring add up quickly. Working with a staffing agency significantly reduces those risks from day one.
- Machine learning staffing companies are found worldwide, allowing you to hire talent from anywhere while accessing specialized skills and saving your team time and resources compared to handling recruitment in-house.
Your business is ready to embrace machine learning (ML)—now you just need the right expert to meet your business’s needs and bring your vision to life.
Here’s the thing, though: finding an ML engineer isn't like filling a general IT role. You need someone with expertise in artificial intelligence, data science, and relevant specialized tech tools. If your in-house recruitment team isn't fluent in these areas—and let’s face it, most aren’t—sorting through potential candidates can quickly become overwhelming.
A staffing agency eliminates this pain point by taking the hassle and uncertainty out of hiring. Instead of spending months in recruitment limbo, you get connected with quality candidates with the specialized expertise required to deliver what you need.
In this article, we'll explore why partnering with a staffing agency makes perfect sense for finding ML talent. Plus, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best machine learning staffing companies to jumpstart your search.

Why Work With a Staffing Agency to Find ML Talent?
AI is reshaping how businesses operate, and companies are catching on fast. About 78% of organizations already use AI in at least one function—a number that keeps climbing year after year. Machine learning, a key subset of AI that powers many innovations, has become a must-have for staying competitive.
A staffing agency bridges the gap between businesses and qualified professionals by managing the entire hiring process. This approach really pays off when hiring remote ML engineers, as it opens doors to a broad talent pool beyond your geographic boundaries while keeping overhead costs in check.
Unlike roles that require hands-on hardware work, ML engineering tasks—like model development, data processing, and deployment—can be completed entirely remotely, making a remote hire not just a viable option but also an advantageous one.
Here are some of the benefits of teaming up with a specialized staffing agency:
Faster, more efficient hiring
The process of finding a skilled ML engineer on your own can drag on for months. Staffing agencies streamline the process by handling the heavy lifting—sourcing candidates, screening resumes, conducting technical assessments, and running initial interviews.
This means you get access to ideal candidates much faster, whether you need a full-time hire or a contract ML engineer for a short-term project.
Access to specialized talent
Most recruiters don’t really understand what separates a good ML engineer from a great one, but specialized staffing and recruitment agencies do. They maintain curated networks of pre-vetted, highly qualified candidates, ensuring you're looking only at professionals with the right experience and expertise in machine learning, data modeling, and AI development.
And if you already have some AI/ML expertise in-house but need additional support to handle your business’s growing ML needs, an outsourced staffing solution that acts as an extension of your HR team might make sense.
Simplified international hiring
If you're open to hiring outside the US, a staffing agency can help you navigate the logistics of offshore hiring.
For round-the-clock productivity, offshore hiring gives you access to a global talent pool across different time zones, enabling continuous workflow and faster project completion.
If real-time collaboration is a priority for your team, a nearshore ML engineer offers practical benefits like smoother, more seamless communication (thanks to similar time zones and cultural alignment) and cost-efficiency from regions with lower living costs.
Reduced hiring risks
A bad hire can be costly in ways that go beyond the obvious. Staffing agencies minimize this risk by thoroughly vetting candidates before they reach you, improving recruiting outcomes.
Many agencies also offer flexible contract-to-hire options, giving you the chance to evaluate an engineer's skills and fit before making a commitment to a full-time role—like a test drive before buying.

13 Top Machine Learning Staffing Companies in 2025
We've compiled a list of some of the best staffing companies worth checking out—in no particular order, just solid options to consider.
These agencies can connect businesses like yours with outstanding ML talent—whether you’re looking locally, offshore, or nearshore—to help you scale your team with confidence so you can focus on what you do best.
1. Near

At Near, we connect businesses with top Latin American (LatAm) talent, offering full-service staffing and recruitment solutions to simplify hiring, onboarding, payroll, and compliance. We understand the intricacies of hiring outside the US and are committed to helping businesses find exceptional candidates who will fit in with their company culture.
Our pre-vetted ML engineers cover a wide range of industries and span all experience and skill levels, from promising juniors to senior engineers, managers, and directors. We help companies find and onboard the right professionals in under 21 days.
Key features:
- Focus: Staffing and recruitment of exceptional LatAm-based talent
- Pricing: Interview candidates for free, then pay a fee per hire once you’ve found your match. Replacement guarantee in case of compatibility issues. Most clients save 30–70% compared to equivalent US salaries.
- Pre-vetted talent: Every ML engineer candidate undergoes technical assessments, language screening, and reference and international criminal background checks.
2. Insight Global

With offices in the UK, US, Canada, India, and the Philippines, Insight Global operates worldwide and sources talent across 50+ countries.
Insight Global has over 24 years of experience in the staffing industry. Its database includes over five million pre-screened candidates, with thousands of ML experts who specialize in niche skill sets. Their decades of industry experience means they understand what it takes to match the right technical talent with your specific needs.
Key features:
- Focus: End-to-end staffing services, including talent search, candidate curation, onboarding, and payroll
- Engagement models: Short-term contracts, long-term contracts, and direct placement
- Industries: 29 industries, including engineering, IT, retail, administrative, financial services, government, life sciences, legal, and healthcare
3. The Computer Merchant, Ltd.

The Computer Merchant (TCM), a veteran-owned business, has been delivering IT staffing solutions for over 40 years, working with Fortune 1000 companies and government agencies throughout the US.
TCM combines the human touch of experienced staffing representatives with AI-powered sourcing to match businesses with the data management experts they need. Their extensive network of talent features specialists and cross-domain leaders who can take charge of your large-scale AI and ML initiatives.
Key features:
- Focus: IT staffing, engineering, and workforce solutions
- Engagement models: Staff augmentation, project team staffing, contract-to-hire, and direct hire placement
- Industries: Software and IT services, enterprise growth, government, healthcare, banking and finance, and aerospace and defense
4. Devs_Data

Devs_Data is a staffing and recruitment firm specializing in direct hire staffing. Based in Poland, they have experience recruiting across Europe, the US, the UK, and LatAm.
With more than 83 clients worldwide—including big names like T-Mobile, HelloFresh, BP, Zim, and BCG—their vast pool of talent features professionals with backgrounds from Oxford, Mensa, Google, hedge funds, and leading tech firms.
Key features:
- Services: Data engineering, processing, and lake architecture design, DevOps consulting, data analysis, data science, and ML advisory
- Talent verification: Multi-stage vetting process—including technical and behavioral interviews, algorithmic problem-solving assessments, and a final interview—resulting in an average acceptance rate of only 6.4%
- Pricing: Flat hourly rate, retainer fee, or fixed-price model
5. Agile Engine

Agile Engine has a team of over 1,000 experts across 10 global locations from the US, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
Their ML specialists bring more than nine years of experience in predictive analytics and are proficient in 36 different AI/ML technologies, including Python, TensorFlow, Scikit-Learn, PyTorch, and Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit (CNTK).
Key features:
- Focus: Tailored engineering, AI, data, and design solutions
- Engagement models: Staff augmentation, dedicated teams, and 360 AI development services
- Services: Custom AI/ML development, AI/ML API integration, AI customization with proprietary data, and MLOps
6. CalTek Staffing

Founded in 2002, CalTek Staffing is a US-based firm that specializes in IT, technical, manufacturing, and engineering talent.
With 23 locations nationwide and headquarters in California, it focuses on sourcing engineers with ML expertise across various disciplines, including programming, data science, and other specialized fields.
Key features:
- Focus: Specialized technical staffing services across the US
- Engagement models: Temporary placements, temporary-to-permanent roles, and direct hire recruitment
- Industries: Aerospace, automotive, chemical, civil, computer, defense, electronics, internet, medical and pharmaceutical, oil and gas, semiconductor, and telecommunications
7. Focus Global Talent Solutions

Based in Florida, Focus GTS is a specialized tech staffing and placement firm with expertise in four key technology sectors: IT solutions, AI/ML and data science, digital transformation, and cloud services.
The company has worked with major brands like Adobe, Sony, American Express, Verizon, and Royal Caribbean. Their talent pool includes experts with a range of experience levels, certifications, and expertise in various related technologies.
Key features:
- Focus: On-demand tech staffing solutions, aiming to fill roles within 48 hours
- Services: Recruitment for IT, data science, business intelligence, analytics, cloud technology, and digital marketing technology roles
- Pricing: Flexible pricing for contract roles based on budget, while permanent placements follow a flat fee structure
8. ValueCoders

Founded in 2004, ValueCoders is a technology outsourcing and staffing company with a team of over 650 software professionals.
They provide access to top engineering talent from India, specializing in AI/ML and advanced data analytics. With a track record of delivering over 4,200 successful projects, the company is trusted by more than 2,500 businesses worldwide.
Key features:
- Services: ML development, MLOps consulting, ML model engineering, robotic process automation (RPA), and computer vision.
- Engagement models: Staff augmentation, dedicated teams, and project-based collaboration
- Industries: Banking and finance, travel and tourism, fintech, healthcare, logistics and support, e-commerce, media and entertainment, education, and manufacturing
9. Robert Half

With 400+ staffing locations worldwide, Robert Half has been a leader in specialized staffing services since 1948.
As one of the largest talent solutions and business consulting firms, Robert Half leverages advanced AI and in-depth recruiter assessments to connect businesses with top professionals, including AI/ML engineers and data experts.
Key features:
- Focus: Tailored staffing and consulting services for businesses worldwide
- Engagement models: Contract and permanent staffing as well as executive searches through retained services
- Industries: Technology, finance and accounting, marketing and creative, administrative and customer support, and legal sectors
10. Acara Solutions

Acara Solutions, an Aleron search firm based in India, has been a trusted provider of talent and recruitment services since 1957.
Their AI recruitment specialists tap into a large network of talent to source the right expertise for businesses. The company specializes in automation and AI staffing, spanning various fields including engineering, research and development, digital technologies, and more.
Key features:
- Focus: Recruiting and workforce solutions leveraging India’s vast pool of tech talent
- Services: Contract staffing, permanent hiring, payroll management, executive search, and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO)
- Industries: IT, automation, aerospace and aviation, automotive, banking and finance, chemical, energy, engineering, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, media and entertainment, transportation, e-commerce, telecommunications, and travel
11. Adecco

Adecco, part of the Adecco Group, has been a global player in tech staffing for over 60 years.
Operating in 62 countries, it offers custom workforce solutions that scale to meet business needs. Its omni-channel approach—blending physical presence with digital platforms—makes hiring ML engineers efficient and accessible.
Key features:
- Focus: Workforce, talent, and technology solutions
- Engagement models: Flexible placement, permanent recruitment, training, outsourcing, and career transition services
- Industries: Technology, automotive, aeronautics and mobility, catering and hospitality, construction, energy, finance, food and beverage, healthcare, logistics and transport, manufacturing, public services, and e-commerce
12. Spherion

Headquartered in Georgia and operating in 36 states, Spherion is a US-based staffing firm with over 75 years of experience.
Every year, it connects more than 4,000 clients with top local talent, including AI/ML engineers and IT professionals.
Key features:
- Focus: Nationwide recruiting and staffing services
- Engagement models: Flexible staffing, temp-to-hire, direct-hire, and workforce management solutions
- Industries: IT, administrative and clerical, light industrial, finance and accounting, customer and contact centers, non-clinical healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality
13. The Judge Group

With over 30 locations across the US, Canada, and India, The Judge Group has specialized in IT staffing since its founding in 1970. It provides staffing solutions for startups, mid-market companies, and Fortune 100 enterprises.
Its candidate database includes AI and ML specialists with expertise in AR/VR, RPA, computer vision, and image processing.
Key features:
- Focus: Business solutions with expertise in AI, ML, and predictive analytics
- Services: Talent acquisition, staffing, executive search, IT consulting, and learning solutions
- Industries: Banking, financial services, and insurance, government, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing and supply chain, technology, communications, and media
Final Thoughts
A specialized staffing agency can help you find the right expertise more efficiently than hiring in-house, especially if you’re unsure what technical skills and expertise to look for. They also open up the possibility of hiring a remote ML engineer, helping you access and hire skilled talent from anywhere around the world.
At Near, we connect you with leading LatAm talent and can give you access to top ML engineers at competitive rates while ensuring real-time collaboration. Our comprehensive, personalized hiring process helps you find and hire the experts you need, fast.
Ready to find the perfect match? Fill out this form to receive a handpicked selection of LatAm ML professionals and discover the caliber of talent and cost savings you can unlock through Near.