Lead Research Scientist - Machine Learning (Clearance Required)

jobs.frontdoordefense.com - Jobboard; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 174,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

STR in Woburn, Massachusetts is seeking a Lead Research Scientist specializing in machine learning and AI development for national security applications. In this role, you will lead the creation of innovative algorithms and work with a team of engineers and scientists to tackle high-impact challenges.

Qualified candidates must hold a Master’s degree with significant experience or a PhD with relevant expertise. The competitive salary ranges from $174,000 to $220,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret Clearance with SCI eligibility, U.S. Citizenship required.
• Experience building and training neural networks.
• Experience adapting machine learning techniques to new datasets.

Responsibilities

• Develop AI/ML algorithms for signals exploitation.
• Lead project teams and interact with customers.
• Explore datasets and solve high-impact problems.

Skills

Building neural networks using deep learning tools

Adapting novel machine learning approaches

Standard data science tools (scikit-learn, Pandas, Matplotlib)

Proficiency in Python, C/C++

Collaboration on multi-disciplinary teams

Communication of technical concepts

Education

MS in applied math, physics, electrical engineering, computer science, or data science with 8 years experience

PhD in the relevant fields with 5 years experience

Tools

PyTorch

JAX

TensorFlow

Job description

Lead Research Scientist - Machine Learning (Clearance Required)

Location: Woburn, Massachusetts, United States

Compensation: $174,000 - 220,000 USD / year

About the Role

Lead the development of AI/ML algorithms for signals exploitation in national security applications.

About the Team

STR's Analytics and C2 Division researches and develops novel technologies to solve challenging national security problems through advanced analytics. Our team consists of passionate and motivated engineers and scientists with advanced degrees in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, and data science. The Signals Exploitation and Tracking (SET) Group focuses on applying machine learning, statistics, estimation theory, and information theory algorithms for signals exploitation, target tracking, predictive analytics, and system resource management.

The Role

As a Lead Research Scientist, you will develop disruptive technologies focused on signals exploitation, estimation theory, system resource management, and systems analysis. You will lead the development of cutting‑edge AI/ML algorithms for novel application domains and modalities, participate on and lead project teams, and interact with customers. You will explore fascinating datasets, develop cutting‑edge algorithmic techniques, and solve high‑impact, unique problems for our customers. The position is based primarily in the Woburn, MA office.

Who You Are:

• Active Top Secret Clearance Required with SCI eligibility, U.S. Citizenship required
• MS with at least 8 years of experience, or PhD with at least 5 years of experience (or equivalent) in applied math, physics, electrical engineering, computer science, or data science
• Experience building neural networks using standard deep learning tools (e.g., PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow), including implementing new layers, network architectures, model training, hyperparameter tuning, and ablation studies
• Experience adapting novel machine learning approaches (e.g., from academic literature) to new data sets and problems
• Experience with standard data science tools such as scikit‑learn, Pandas, and Matplotlib
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages: Python, C/C++
• Able to work, collaborate on, and lead multi‑disciplinary teams
• Able to communicate technical foundations of models and algorithms to technical and non‑technical audiences
• Experience in intelligence or military‑related mission areas

Even Better:

• Experience applying deep learning to domains other than images/text, such as time series, discrete event sequence, or geospatial
• Experience with self‑supervised machine learning
• Expertise working with time series, geospatial, and/or spatio‑temporal data

Pay Information

Full‑Time Salary Range: $174,000 - $220,000

Paid based on experience, education, training, skills, clearances, market, and business conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

STR is an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the employment process, email us at [e-mail] and provide your contact info.

Pursuant to applicable federal law and regulations, positions at STR require employees to obtain national security clearances and satisfy the requirements for compliance with export control and other applicable laws.