Machine Learning Developer Hiring Trends in Lisbon, Portugal

This report was last updated on Aug 24, 2025

Bence Gedai

Founder

I analyze live hiring data and tech job trends across Europe to give CTOs and Product Leaders a strategic edge. By tracking tens of thousands of open roles each week, I uncover which skills, roles, and locations are in highest demand — potential competitors, typical time to hire, talent pool sizes, and more to help you prioritize hiring, benchmark and stay competitive in a fast-moving market.

Key learnings from this report

The Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineers job market trends in Portugal, particularly in Lisbon, indicate a challenging yet promising landscape for hiring managers in the tech industry.
In the last 12 weeks, job openings for Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineers in Lisbon peaked at 14 but have significantly declined, reaching only 2 postings in recent weeks, highlighting the importance of agile recruitment strategies for CTOs and Engineering Managers.
Lisbon remains the central hub for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning talent in Portugal, accounting for 77% of job openings, with a concentrated market that emphasizes the need for targeted recruitment efforts by hiring managers.
The seniority distribution reveals a significant demand for Mid-Senior level professionals, which constitutes 63% of available positions, indicating an opportunity for hiring managers to attract talent who are prepared to meet evolving industry demands.
The median time to hire for Artificial Intelligence Engineers in Portugal is currently 31 days, with 42% of hires completed within 30 days, underscoring the urgency for CTOs and recruiters to implement proactive strategies to secure top candidates in this competitive market.

Number of roles opened and closed for Machine Learning Engineers in Lisbon in the last 3 months

In the current landscape of the Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning job market in Portugal, specifically in Lisbon, there is a notable fluctuation in job postings. Over the last 12 weeks, new openings peaked at 14 in week 26 but have seen a gradual decline, with only 2 postings in weeks 24 and 33. In contrast, the closure of positions has been significantly high, particularly in weeks 22 and 23, indicating a competitive market. While the demand for Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineers in Lisbon remains evident, its volatility suggests that hiring managers, including CTOs and Engineering Managers, must adopt agile recruitment strategies to navigate this dynamic environment effectively, especially when compared to more stable regions across Europe.

Who else is hiring for ai Engineers in Portugal:

Company name	Country	Industry	Founded	# Job openings
Canonical	United Kingdom	Information Technology & Services	2004	12
Escola Superior de Biotecnologia da Universidade Católica Portuguesa	null	null	null	9
Air Apps	United States	Information Technology & Services	2018	9
KCS iT	Portugal	Information Technology & Services	2008	9
Zendesk	United States	Information Technology & Services	2007	8
Devoteam	France	Management Consulting	1995	8
Revolut	United Kingdom	Financial Services	2015	7
AgileEngine	United States	Information Technology & Services	2010	7
PrimeIT	Portugal	Information Technology & Services	2006	7
Noesis	Portugal	Information Technology & Services	1995	6

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Talent pool vs job openings for Artificial Intelligence Engineers in Portugal

How competitive it is to hire Artificial Intelligence Engineers in Portugal

The Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineers job market trends in Germany France and United Kingdom indicate a competitive landscape, particularly when compared to other European nations. In Portugal, the ratio of available talent to job openings shows a challenging environment for hiring, with a notable count of job openings versus a growing talent pool. This contrasts with countries such as Germany and France, where the talent pool is larger relative to job vacancies, suggesting easier recruitment conditions. Conversely, countries like the United Kingdom exhibit a high demand for Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Developers with a tighter talent market. Considering these factors, hiring managers in Lisbon's tech sector should adapt their recruitment strategies for CTOs, particularly for Senior Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Developers, to effectively navigate this challenging hiring environment.

Seniority distribution of Machine Learning Engineer job openings in Lisbon

Seniority Distribution of Machine Learning Engineering Jobs in Lisbon

In the current job market for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Engineers in Portugal Lisbon, the seniority distribution reveals a significant demand for Mid-Senior level professionals, constituting 63% of available positions. Entry level roles follow, comprising 26% of the market, while Associate positions make up 9%. This distribution highlights the necessity for targeted recruitment strategies by hiring managers to attract the right talent and meet evolving industry demands.

Preferred employment type for Engineering roles in Portugal

The employment type distribution for engineering roles in Portugal reveals a strong preference for full-time positions, which constitute 94% of the job market. Contract roles make up 6% of the employment landscape, while part-time and internship positions represent a minimal share, comprising 2% and 1% respectively. This trend suggests that hiring managers should prioritize full-time opportunities to attract top talent, particularly in the competitive fields of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning within Lisbon's burgeoning tech sector.

Time to Hire Distribution for Artificial Intelligence in Portugal

How long does it take to hire Artificial Intelligence Engineers

The time to hire for Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineer positions in Portugal exhibits significant variation, reflecting the evolving job market trends in Lisbon's tech sector. Notably, the majority of hires, approximately 42% (174 counts), occur within a 30-day timeframe, indicating a robust demand for talent. As positions extend beyond 30 days, a gradual decline in hiring rates is observed, with only 5% (1 count) of roles taking over 100 days to fill. This data underscores the urgency for CTOs and engineering managers to adopt proactive recruitment strategies to attract top talent efficiently in the competitive landscape of Artificial Intelligence roles.

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Most popular cities in Portugal to hire Artificial Intelligence Engineers

Top 5 cities in Portugal to hire Artificial Intelligence Engineers

In Portugal, the job market for Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineers is predominantly centered in Lisbon, which accounts for 77% of the total job openings. Porto follows with 22%, contributing substantially to the market, while other locations within Portugal, including remote opportunities, make up the remaining 1%. This concentration in the capital city highlights the importance of Lisbon as a key hub for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning talent.

Most sought after technologies in Lisbon for Machine Learning

Key technologies for Machine Learning Engineers

An analysis of the technologies prevalent in the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning job market highlights significant trends that hiring managers should note. Python stands out as the most widely used language, with a frequency of 5,934, making it essential for AI and ML roles. Following closely are SQL and Machine Learning, with frequencies of 2,298 and 3,508, respectively, indicating their foundational presence in data manipulation and algorithm development. Other technologies such as Data Science (1,346) and AWS (755) also showcase a strong emphasis on data-driven solutions and cloud services. For a detailed visual representation of these technologies, refer to the accompanying chart.

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