A/AI Research Engineer Sr Mgr - L6

Lockheed Martin; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 228,000 - 424,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) match

PTO & Holidays

Parental Leave

Education Assistance

Job summary

Lockheed Martin leads advanced R&D in autonomous systems for defense and commercial customers. The role focuses on AI/ML expertise, algorithm development, and prototype testing across perception, mission planning, and control domains.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in AI/ML/autonomy and 5+ years of team leadership, with the ability to translate mission needs into technical programs and to communicate complex concepts to executives. TS/SCI clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, CS, math, physics, or related field.
• 10+ years in AI, ML, autonomy, robotics, or related field.
• 5+ years leading technical teams or programs.
• Experience leading AI/autonomy tech from inception through delivery.
• Experience translating mission needs into technical strategies.
• Ability to communicate complex AI topics to scientists and executives.
• Ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D of autonomous system algorithms for defense and commercial customers.
• Drive AI/ML models from research to prototype testing and deployment.
• Advance ML, CV, and control algorithms for mission systems.
• Develop prototypes enabling autonomous functionality in LM products.
• Coordinate with perception, planning, simulation, and modeling teams.
• Apply effective AI prompting techniques for the role.

Skills

AI/ML expertise

Autonomy & robotics

Team leadership

Executive communication

TS/SCI clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, or related field

Master’s or PhD (preferred)

Job description

Standard Job Description

Leads those focused 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. Leads the research and discovery of 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. Proficient in AI prompting as it applies to this position and practice.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, or a related technical field.
• Ten or more years of professional experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, robotics, or a closely related field.
• Five or more years of experience leading technical teams, research organizations, or engineering programs.
• Demonstrated experience leading AI or autonomy technology from inception through integration, evaluation, and delivery to an internal or external customer.
• Experience building customer relationships and translating mission or business needs into technical strategies and executable programs.
• Ability to critically evaluate advanced AI and autonomy concepts and communicate complex technical matters clearly to scientists, program leaders, customers, and senior executives.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government TS/SCI security clearance.

Desired Skills

• Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant technical discipline.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, intelligence, or national-security missions.
• Experience shaping, winning, and executing government-sponsored 6.1, 6.2, or 6.3 research and development programs.
• Demonstrated success managing a new-business pipeline, leading competitive captures and proposals.
• Experience managing an R&D portfolio and associated technolgoy roadmaps.
• Technical knowledge across several relevant areas, including automated command and control, battle damage assessment, autonomous planning and control, multi-agent systems, human-machine teaming, computer vision, reinforcement learning, edge AI, generative AI, and AI assurance.
• Experience establishing productive research partnerships with government laboratories, universities, or small businesses.
• Record of technical accomplishment demonstrated through delivered systems, successful programs, patents, publications, invited presentations, or recognized leadership in the AI community.

Pay Information

GeoZone Definition: GeoZones are geographic groupings created by Lockheed Martin to align compensation ranges with regional labor markets and cost-of-labor differences across the United States. Locations are assigned a Geo Zone based on the primary work location of the role.

• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 1): $228100.00 - $423700.00
  • Includes metropolitan areas such as Sunnyvale CA; Pal Alto, CA; New York City metropolitan area; Newark, New Jersey; etc.
• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 2): $205300.00 - $381300.00
  • Includes metropolitan areas such as Denver, CO; King of Prussia, PA; Stratford, CT; Moorestown, NJ; etc.
• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 3): $182500.00 - $338900.00
  • Includes metropolitan areas such as Dallas–Fort Worth, TX; Orlando, FL; Grand Prairie, TX; Marietta, GA; etc.
• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 4): $164200.00 - $305000.00
  • Includes metropolitan areas such as Camden, AR; Lexington, KY; Lufkin, TX; etc.

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.

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.