A/AI Research Engineer - E2

Lockheed Martin; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 81,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Flexible work arrangements

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

Lockheed Martin seeks an experienced A/AI Research Engineer to advance autonomous systems within Missiles and Fire Control. You will drive AI/ML research from concept to prototype, focusing on perception, mission planning, and testing across a range of defense programs.

Applicants should hold a STEM BS and have hands-on experience with modern DL frameworks, embedded deployment, and real-time data processing. Interim clearance is required and U.S. citizenship is mandatory for this role.

Qualifications

• Experience training and inference on modern deep learning networks for object detection and classification.
• Design and analysis of detection networks and image augmentation with explainable AI.
• Experience with DL frameworks: PyTorch, TensorFlow, ONNX.
• Deploy neural networks on embedded/edge devices.
• Understand NN architectures and computational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and verify deep learning object detection and classification solutions for missiles and fire-control products.
• Develop, validate, and test complex models and simulations using CNNs, transformers, generative AI, for target detection.
• Deploy AI/ML algorithms to CPUs, GPUs, or edge devices and optimize performance.
• Evaluate system performance in complex scenarios and verify requirements.
• Support HWIL tests and integrate AI components into mission systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across perception, planning, and modeling stages.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

C++

AI/ML algorithms

Object detection

Education

BS in STEM

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

ONNX

CUDA

OpenVINO

Vitis AI

Job description

Standard Job Description

We are seeking an experienced A/AI Research Engineer who will join a highly skilled team of systems engineering technologists and algorithm developers supporting various contracts and IRADs within Missiles and Fire Control. The engineer focuses on research & development of technologies that enable and advance semi and fully autonomous systems for both defense and commercial customers. Serves as the algorithm expert with up-to-date knowledge on modern AI research and may be involved in the inception of ideas and drive the development cycles from research to test of prototypes for a major project or component of a major project. Researches and discovers improvements to machine learning and robotic algorithms; Drives advancements in techniques used in signal processing, computer vision (CV), and control systems; Develops AI algorithms for mission systems; Applies latest research on AI algorithms and trains machine learning / deep learning models to solve a variety of problems; Investigates and applies the latest machine learning and deep learning techniques; Optimizes the performance of AI algorithms, applications, and platforms; Develops and documents algorithm and implementation requirements; Develops prototypes that will enable autonomous functionality in LM products and platforms; Interfaces with other teams involved the development lifecycle for perception, mission and motion planning, simulation and modeling, testing, etc.

We are seeking an experienced A/AI Research Engineer who will join a highly skilled team of systems engineering technologists and algorithm developers supporting various contracts and IRADs within Missiles and Fire Control. The engineer focuses on research & development of technologies that enable and advance semi and fully autonomous systems for both defense and commercial customers. Serves as the algorithm expert with up-to-date knowledge on modern AI research and may be involved in the inception of ideas and drive the development cycles from research to test of prototypes for a major project or component of a major project. Researches and discovers improvements to machine learning and robotic algorithms; Drives advancements in techniques used in signal processing, computer vision (CV), and control systems; Develops AI algorithms for mission systems; Applies latest research on AI algorithms and trains machine learning / deep learning models to solve a variety of problems; Investigates and applies the latest machine learning and deep learning techniques; Optimizes the performance of AI algorithms, applications, and platforms; Develops and documents algorithm and implementation requirements; Develops prototypes that will enable autonomous functionality in LM products and platforms; Interfaces with other teams involved the development lifecycle for perception, mission and motion planning, simulation and modeling, testing, etc.

Typical AI_ML Engineer should show:

• KNOWLEDGE - Demonstrates a strong understanding and applies industry techniques within area of specialization.
• COMPLEXITY - Develops solutions to problems of moderate scope and complexity.
• IMPACT - Contributes to organizational projects and goals. Represents on specific projects and teams, contributing to effective collaboration and problem resolution.

Typical Tasks May Include

• Develop, test, and verify deep learning object detection and classification solutions and image processing and augmentation methods for missile and fire control products
• Develop, validate, and test complex models and simulations that utilize convolutional neural networks, transformers, generative AI, and other such techniques to detect and classify objects of interest.
• Develop, validate and deploy AI/ML algorithms to CPUs, GPUs or edge devices
• Evaluate and analyze system performance in complex scenarios and environments and verify system and subsystem level requirements
• Perform analyses and test activities that support ground and flight test efforts including Hardware-In-The-Loop (HWIL) activities
• Opportunities will exist to join small teams of engineers and algorithm developers on a variety of different programs that are in various stages of product development.
• Support program reviews and technical interchange meetings with internal leadership and/or external customers

Basic Qualifications

• BS in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, computer science, applied mathematics, or similar STEM degree and 1+ years of relevant experience.
• Interim Clearance is needed to start, therefore you must be a US Citizen.
• Shall be fluent in one or more of the following languages:
  • MATLAB, python, C++
• Shall have experience solving problems and relevant algorithm development in the AI_ML domains mentioned below:
  • Experience in training and inference on modern deep learning neural networks for object detection, classification, and be able to analyze and interpret results.
  • Experience designing and analyzing object detection and classification networks and applying image augmentation and explainable AI
  • Experience in using deep learning frameworks such as: PyTorch, TensorFlow, ONNX
  • Experience deploying neural networks on embedded/edge devices
  • Understanding of how to design neural network architectures and their computational requirements and impacts
• Shall demonstrate strong math skills in the areas of:
  • Linear algebra, matrix math, statistics, trigonometry, and convolution transformations
  • Have experience in validating C++ algorithm simulations and hardware models with real-time data collections
  • Have been exposed to implementing and debugging AI_ML algorithms running in a real-time processing environments

Desired Skills

• Active Secret Clearance
• Experience developing and analyzing algorithms related to computer vision
• Demonstrated skills in probability, statistics, and Design of Experiments (DOE)
• Experience deploying algorithms that satisfy real-time performance requirement to various hardware platforms
• Experience in validating C++ algorithm simulations and hardware models with real-time data collections
• Have been exposed to implementing and debugging AI_ML algorithms running in real-time processing environments
• Ability to perform preflight system performance assessment and post flight verification analyses
• Knowledge of model optimization techniques (quantization, pruning, knowledge distillation)
• Knowledge of hardware acceleration techniques (CUDA, OpenCL, Vulkan)
• Familiarity with AMD Xilinx tools (Vitis AI) and FPGA programming
• Experience with TensorRT, OpenVINO, or other inference optimization frameworks

Pay Information

At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.

The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.

Full-Time Salary Range: $81100.00 - $150500.00

Benefits offered:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
• For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.