AI Research Scientist
At a glance
Mid-level AI Research role at Pacific Defense. Fairfax · no salary stated · we estimate $135,000–$232,000 across the United States.
Pacific Defense has not published a salary for this role. The figure below is our estimate, not theirs.
aimlroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Turn difficult technical questions into algorithmic approaches, using research to identify methods and assess their limits
- Build and test prototype algorithms, then refine them using experiments, theory and operational needs
- Study complex data and system behavior to find patterns and choose suitable computational methods
- Work with scientists and engineers to bring algorithms into operational software and hardware
- Explain technical choices, results and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences
What you bring
- A degree in a technical discipline such as computer science, electrical engineering, robotics or applied mathematics
- A strong grasp of algorithms and experience developing them in at least one relevant area, such as optimization or machine learning
- The ability to interpret technical research and turn useful ideas into working algorithms
- Strong programming ability in Python, C++ or a comparable language
- U.S. citizenship and willingness to obtain a security clearance
Who this fits
This role suits a researcher who can reason through ambiguous technical problems, test different approaches and collaborate with scientists and engineers. It is based onsite in Fairfax, and requires U.S. citizenship and willingness to obtain a security clearance. An advanced degree is preferred; experience in defense-related technical areas is valued but not required.
From the employer
About Us
At Perceptronics, a subsidiary of Pacific Defense, we develop advanced technologies to address national security challenges in areas including electronic warfare, autonomy, sensing, and intelligent systems. We combine artificial intelligence, machine learning, signal processing, optimization, and other computational methods to develop innovative solutions to difficult real-world problems.
Position Overview
Perceptronics is seeking an AI Research Scientist to join our research and development team. We are looking for candidates who enjoy solving difficult, often poorly defined technical problems and developing new algorithmic solutions.
We are interested in candidates from a range of technical backgrounds, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, signal processing, controls, operations research, applied mathematics, statistics, robotics, and related fields. The common thread is an ability to formulate technical problems, identify promising approaches, develop and evaluate algorithms, and improve those approaches based on experimental results and a deeper understanding of the problem.
Our work spans a broad range of methods, including statistical inference and estimation, clustering and density estimation, optimization, search and planning, tracking and filtering, signal processing, sensor fusion, machine learning, and related techniques. Machine learning is an important part of our work, but the appropriate solution to a problem may involve traditional algorithms, statistical methods, machine learning, or a combination of approaches.
We are particularly interested in candidates who can critically evaluate alternative approaches, understand their assumptions and limitations, and adapt or extend state-of-the-art academic research to solve real-world DoD problems.
Our application areas include electronic warfare, RF signal analysis, autonomy, unmanned systems, multi-agent systems, sensor systems, and other national security problems. Prior experience in one or more of these domains is highly valuable but is not required for candidates with strong algorithmic and research capabilities.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities
- Investigate challenging technical problems and formulate algorithmic approaches for solving them.
- Perform literature reviews to identify promising methods, understand their strengths and limitations, and determine how they can be adapted to problems of interest.
- Design, implement, test, and improve prototype algorithms using techniques drawn from AI, statistics, optimization, estimation, search, signal processing, machine learning, and related fields.
- Analyze complex data and system behavior to understand underlying structure, identify meaningful patterns, and select appropriate computational approaches.
- Approach succeeds or fails.
- Compare alternative approaches and refine algorithms based on experimental results, theoretical insight, and operational requirements.
- Collaborate with scientists and engineers to integrate algorithms into operational software and hardware systems.
- Communicate technical approaches, experimental results, and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Stay current with relevant academic research and emerging methods and identify opportunities to apply them to Perceptronics problems.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Research, Controls, or a related technical field. An advanced degree is preferred.
- Strong foundation in algorithms and one or more areas such as probability and statistics, optimization, estimation, signal processing, control theory, search and planning, or machine learning.
- Experience developing algorithms in one or more areas such as statistical estimation, optimization, search and planning, controls, signal processing, tracking, sensor fusion, clustering, anomaly detection, or machine learning. Breadth across multiple areas is a strong plus.
- Ability to read and understand technical literature and translate research ideas into working algorithms.
- Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to reason about assumptions, tradeoffs, failure modes, and alternative approaches.
- Strong programming skills in Python, C++, or similar languages.
- Experience with scientific computing and machine learning libraries is beneficial, but we place greater emphasis on understanding and developing algorithms than on experience with any particular framework.
- Experience with electronic warfare, RF signal processing, autonomy, robotics, unmanned systems, multi-agent systems, tracking, sensing, or related defense applications is highly desirable but not required.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative technical team.
- U.S. citizenship and willing to obtain a security clearance required.
Why Join Us?
- Work on challenging technical problems where research and creative problem solving directly contribute to operational capabilities.
- Apply a broad range of algorithms and computational techniques rather than being limited to a single technology or methodology.
- Work with a small, collaborative team of scientists and engineers on problems spanning AI, electronic warfare, autonomy, sensing, and advanced algorithms.
- Opportunities for professional development and growth in rapidly evolving technical areas.
- Because Perceptronics is a member of the Pacific Defense group of companies, our growth is accelerating and there is ample room for career growth.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
Benefits
We offer competitive salaries, and great benefits including a top health insurance policy with employee's premium 100% covered, a generous PTO policy, and flexible work schedule. Perceptronics Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.