Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Lead Verification and Validation Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Health and retirement benefits

Competitive leave

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University is seeking an AI/ML Engineer to lead IV&V and the Data Curation Center of Excellence within ARL. The role involves guiding data labeling, governance, and pipeline development across multiple data modalities, collaborating with researchers and program sponsors.

Based in State College, PA or Reston, VA, the position requires strong Python/SQL skills and experience with annotation tools, data quality, and ML lifecycle considerations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering or related field.
• Extensive experience designing data curation, annotation, or IV&V workflows for AI/ML.
• Strong Python and SQL skills for data manipulation and pipelines.
• Experience with CVAT, Label Studio or equivalent annotation tools.
• Experience with data governance and quality assurance in ML environments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead for IV&V and Data Curation Center of Excellence.
• Mentor a team performing data labeling, annotation, and IV&V across data modalities.
• Establish annotation standards, governance, and QA processes at scale.
• Design and oversee data pipelines for ingestion, transformation, and cataloging.
• Lead IV&V on datasets and model outputs with acceptance criteria.
• Bridge data needs with researchers, developers, and sponsors; present findings.

Skills

Python

SQL

Data curation

IV&V workflows

Data labeling

Machine learning basics

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering or related field

Master's degree or higher (preferred)

Tools

CVAT

Label Studio

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

Data versioning tools (DVC)

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a talented, experienced, organized, and a highly motivated AI/ML Engineer to join the Research Artificial Intelligence Department of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. You will lead our Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) and Data Curation Center of Excellence. This team serves as the foundation for effective machine learning—building, curating, and governing the data that directly determines whether AI/ML models succeed in operationally relevant environments. This position can be filled in State College, PA or Reston, VA. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

Responsibilities

You will:

• Serve as the technical lead for the IV&V and Data Curation Center of Excellence, setting priorities, defining standards, and driving the team's technical direction
• Mentor, guide, and coordinate a team of engineers performing data labeling, annotation, curation, and IV&V across multiple data modalities
• Establish and evolve annotation standards, labeling guidelines, data governance frameworks, and quality assurance processes to ensure consistency and reproducibility at scale
• Design and oversee data pipelines for ingestion, transformation, quality control, and cataloging of classified and open-source data
• Lead IV&V efforts on datasets and model outputs, defining acceptance criteria and fitness-for-use standards
• Serve as the primary point of contact between the data curation team and research scientists, algorithm developers, and program stakeholders to translate data needs into actionable plans
• Present findings, status, and recommendations to leadership and sponsors through well-constructed briefings, papers, and technical artifacts
• Evaluate and introduce tools, platforms, and best practices for annotation (e.g., CVAT, Label Studio), data versioning, and metadata management
• Drive automation of manual data analysis and curation processes to improve efficiency and scalability
• Architect and maintain data catalogs, metadata schemas, and access-controlled repositories that make curated datasets discoverable and accessible to the broader research team
• Work within an Agile development environment within a large research team

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Science, Engineering, or a related technical field
• Extensive experience designing and managing data curation, annotation, or IV&V workflows for AI/ML systems
• Deep understanding of machine learning fundamentals, including how data quality, labeling strategies, and dataset composition impact model training, evaluation, and deployment
• Strong proficiency in Python and SQL for data manipulation, pipeline development, and analysis
• Experience with data annotation tools and platforms (e.g., CVAT, Label Studio, or equivalent)
• Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

• Prior experience leading or managing a technical team
• Experience working with DoD or Intelligence Community data, workflows, or operational environments
• Familiarity with geospatial data formats (shapefiles, GeoJSON, AIS), imagery/FMV exploitation, or signals data processing
• Experience with data versioning tools (e.g., DVC, LakeFS) or data catalog platforms
• Knowledge of IV&V methodologies and test and evaluation practices for data-driven systems
• Experience with containerized development environments (Docker, Kubernetes) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure)
• Master's degree or higher in a relevant field
• Current eligibility to access classified information at the Top Secret/ SCI level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to updated clearance eligibility, if required

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as R&D Engineer - Artificial Intelligence (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 19+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None

If filled as R&D Engineer - Artificial Intelligence (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 14+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $140,004.00 - $265,704.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines

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