Ask HN: How has the ML engineer job evolved outside of LLM labs?

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[ARTICLE · art-40221] src=news.ycombinator.com ↗ pub=2026-06-26T03:08Z topic=machine-learning verified=true sentiment=· neutral

Ask HN: How has the ML engineer job evolved outside of LLM labs?

An Ask HN post questions how the role of machine learning engineers has evolved outside of large language model labs, noting that frontier LLMs now handle tasks that previously required custom-trained models. The post seeks insights on whether engineers still train custom models or if their roles have shifted entirely.

read1 min views1 publishedJun 26, 2026

It seems that a lot of the tasks that once required custom-trained models can now be achieved out of the box by frontier LLMs.

If you're an ML engineer working outside a frontier lab, how has your job evolved? Are people still training custom models, or has your role shifted entirely?

Comments URL: [https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48681934](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48681934)

Points: 1

source & further reading

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