Senior Machine Learning Engineer

AeroVironment’s Learning and Active Perception (LEAP) group is building computer vision and analytics capabilities for defense and commercial use, including real-time automated target recognition (ATR). In this Senior Machine Learning Engineer role, you’ll work across the full development lifecycle, from defining requirements through validation and verification testing.

Based in Centreville, VA, this position supports development that spans training and evaluation of deep computer vision models, analysis of model behavior on new data, and software integration into aircraft systems and other platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop computer vision and machine learning algorithms for object detection, classification, localization, and tracking from stationary and mobile sensor platforms, with the goal of real-time automated target recognition (ATR)
• Conduct visual imagery data science to guide data collection, data labeling, and data selection for deep computer vision training; train models using the selected data and validate choices through purpose-designed experiments
• Evaluate machine learning approaches for a given problem and rank algorithms by their success probability on new data
• Define objectives, build models to achieve them, and create metrics to track progress
• Select suitable datasets and data representations
• Perform error analysis across data, model, and design strategies and use findings to improve performance
• Write and test software that enables integration of ML algorithms into aircraft systems (including autopilots, payloads, or other functional components) or other systems
• Complete other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science/engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related Science or Engineering discipline, with 5+ years of relevant experience in machine learning and/or computer vision
• Advanced degree preferred
• 5 to 8 years of relevant computer vision experience
• Proficiency with Python and C/C++
• Proficiency with a deep learning framework, preferably PyTorch
• Proficiency with basic computer vision and machine learning libraries such as Open-CV, scikit-learn, and pandas
• Familiarity with Linux
• Familiarity with Nvidia Tools (CUDA, JetPack, TensorRT) and the deployment process to Nvidia Jetson processors and other Nvidia GPUs
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex systems and perform algorithmic optimization
• Ability to perform exploratory data analysis, including visualizing and manipulating large datasets
• Familiarity with office software and computer-based productivity tools
• Ability to complete tasks under minimal supervision while working within defined requirements
• Team-oriented mindset with effective collaboration skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where small teams share a broad set of duties
• Strong initiative, ownership of work products, and willingness to share results, provide feedback, and contribute to teammates working on similar problems
• Commitment to learning from mistakes and improving performance for self, others, and the company
• U.S. Citizenship required (to qualify for this role)
• Ability to obtain at minimum a Secret level DoD security clearance
• Willingness and ability to travel (regularly, up to 40%)

Technologies

• Python, C/C++
• PyTorch
• Open-CV, scikit-learn, pandas
• Linux
• CUDA, JetPack, TensorRT
• Nvidia Jetson, Nvidia GPUs
• Autopilots, payloads

Compensation and Work Details

• Location: Centreville, VA (onsite)
• Salary: USD 129,500 to 197,500 per year
• Worker type: Regular
• Schedule: 9/80 work schedule

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision
• 401K with company matching
• Paid holiday shutdown

Physical Demands and Clearance

• Physical demands: Ability to work in an office environment (constant); sit and stand for long periods (frequent); talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard (frequent)
• Clearance level: No Clearance

ITAR: U.S. Citizenship is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability to obtain a clearance is desired.