[capdeck]

> ... I'll seriously consider a regular non-ML position.

What about asking for more money at the end? Multi-stage complex interview process eliminates more candidates. Some, like you say, will opt for a developer gig instead, probably because ML wasn't something they were interested in to begin with. That narrows down the list of candidates even more. Either "play the game" and ask for more money or don't play the game at all. Let employers pay extra for polished candidates.

[angarg12]

If what I want is money I think I'm better off getting competing offers as a regular Software Engineer and pumping the numbers.