Machine Learning Engineer - Advanced AI and Cognitive Systems

HRL Laboratories, LLC; Calabasas (CA); On-site; USD 140,700 - 175,950; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401K match

Gym facilities

PTO

Sick time

Upward mobility

Challenging work environment

Job summary

HRL Laboratories, LLC is seeking researchers and engineers to advance next generation intelligent systems.

The role focuses on machine learning, multimodal AI, cognitive state sensing, and cognitive modeling, developing adaptive software prototypes for mission-driven R&D programs.

Qualifications

• MS or Ph.D. in Applied Math, Cognitive Science, or related fields.
• 3-5 years of applied ML/AI experience.
• Experience with government funded R&D programs (DARPA/IARPA/ARPA H) is a plus.
• Strong interdisciplinary communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Build AI models that integrate neurophysiological, behavioral, and sensor data for cognitive aware decision support.
• Develop algorithms for cognitive state estimation and user modeling.
• Apply cognitive science to improve explainability, trust, and human AI collaboration.
• Contribute to proposals, publications, invention disclosures, and customer briefings.
• Demonstrate prototypes and support capability outreach.

Skills

Human Machine Interaction

Cognitive Modeling

LLMs & Multimodal AI

Software Engineering

Machine Learning & AI

Data Analytics

3-5 years ML/AI experience

Government R&D experience

Interdisciplinary communication

Curiosity-driven mindset

Education

MS or Ph.D. in Applied Math, Cognitive Science, or related fields

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

APIs

PyTorch/TensorFlow/JAX

Job description

Position Summary:

Join a research team advancing next generation intelligent systems. This role focuses on machine learning, multimodal AI, cognitive state sensing, and cognitive modeling. You will help develop adaptive software prototypes for mission driven R&D programs.

Lead and contribute to research, engineering, and software development efforts in the following areas:

• Build AI models that integrate neurophysiological, behavioral, and sensor data for cognitive aware decision support
• Develop algorithms for cognitive state estimation and user modeling
• Apply cognitive science to improve explainability, trust, and human AI collaboration
• Contribute to proposals, publications, invention disclosures, and customer briefings
• Demonstrate prototypes and support capability outreach

Required Qualifications:

Candidates should have experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Human Machine Interaction: Cognitive architectures, neurophysiological sensing, behavioral analytics, human subjects methods
• Cognitive Modeling: Cognitive state estimation and computational models.
• LLMs & Multimodal AI: Transformers, prompt design, fine tuning, RAG, with emphasis on integrating human state and environmental context.
• Software Engineering: Scalable systems, APIs, Docker, and containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Machine Learning & AI: Supervised/unsupervised learning, RL; PyTorch/TensorFlow/JAX.
• Data Analytics: Feature engineering, statistical modeling in Python.
• MS or Ph.D. in Applied Math, Cognitive Science, or related fields.
• 3-5 years of applied ML/AI experience.
• Experience with government funded R&D programs (DARPA/IARPA/ARPA H) is a plus.
• Strong interdisciplinary communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work in fast paced, exploratory research environments.
• Curiosity driven mindset with a passion for solving complex problems.

Special Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay Range: $140,700 - $175,950
• Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position.
• Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
• Benefits: HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment.
• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: https://www.hrl.com/careers/benefits
• Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.
If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
For our privacy policy please visit: www.hrl.com/privacy