Research Data & Information Scientist/Computer Engineer (AI/ML & Edge Systems)

Air Force Research Laboratory; City of Syracuse, City of Auburn (NY, NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, NY seeks a mid-level Data & Information Scientist / Computer Engineer to research, prototype, test, and demonstrate AI/ML capabilities on edge devices. You will work on drift detection, low SWaP-C pipelines, and autonomous decision-support in contested environments.

This role requires TS clearance eligibility, a relevant S&E degree, and hands-on experience with ML models, embedded hardware, and rapid prototyping across multidisciplinary teams and partners.

Qualifications

• Research and prototype ML models and data pipelines.
• Deploy and optimize ML software on embedded platforms.
• Develop software using Python and C/C++.
• Experience with real-time data streams and edge devices.

Responsibilities

• Pioneer AI/ML drift detection and model reliability.
• Architect low SWaP-C edge processing pipelines for heterogeneous embedded platforms.
• Autonomous learning and adaptive edge capabilities across contested environments.
• Engineer agentic AI architectures and C2 orchestration for distributed information routing and decision support.
• Integrate multimodal sensor data pipelines and ensure rapid processing.

Skills

Drift detection

Edge processing

ML pipelines

Embedded systems

Python

C/C++

Deep learning

Real-time data

System integration

Education

MS or PhD

ABET-accredited

Tools

Docker

ONNX Runtime

TensorRT

Podman

CUDA

Job description

OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED US CITIZENS

This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 11:45 PM EST, 29 November 2026.

Job Overview

The Information and Spectrum Warfare Directorate (RF), Information Systems Division (RFC) seeks to hire a mid-level, DR-02 (GS-12/13 or equivalent) Data & Information Scientist / Computer Engineer in Rome, New York to research, prototype, test, and demonstrate cutting‑edge Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) capabilities, edge software architectures, and automated data pipelines. This role focuses on developing resilient AI solutions capable of detecting data and concept drift in real time on resource‑constrained embedded systems, directly supporting tactical decision advantage in contested environments.

Position Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Pioneer AI/ML Drift Detection & Model Reliability: Formulate, implement, and benchmark algorithms to detect covariate shift, concept drift, and statistical anomalies in real‑time, unstructured data streams without requiring immediate ground‑truth labels.
• Architect Low SWaP-C Edge Processing Pipelines: Design, prototype, and optimize lightweight, containerized ML inference and monitoring pipelines for heterogeneous embedded platforms (e.g., Jetson, embedded GPUs, SoC FPGAs) adhering to strict compute, memory, and thermal constraints.
• Autonomous & Adaptive Learning: Research and demonstrate semi‑supervised learning, active learning, and lightweight continuous retraining routines that enable edge systems to dynamically adapt to changing battlespace conditions across disadvantaged communication networks.
• Engineer Agentic AI Architectures & C2 Orchestration: Research, develop, and evaluate autonomous multi‑agent systems, goal‑oriented agent workflows, and orchestration frameworks (e.g., hierarchical task networks, tool‑augmented LLMs, consensus‑based agent swarms) to automate distributed information routing, course‑of‑action generation, and real‑time operational C2 decision support.
• Integrate Multimodal Sensor & Data Pipelines: Develop software systems that ingest, synchronize, and fuse disparate sensor feeds (EO/IR, radar, telemetry, mission communications) using advanced architectures (such as CNNs, GNNs, and transformers) to enable automated processing and rapid kill‑web closure.
• Manage Demonstrations & Technical Transition: Plan and execute laboratory experiments, synthetic testbeds, and field exercises under simulated contested conditions; prepares technical briefings, reports, and publications for program offices, warfighters, and academic/industry partners.

Required Qualifications

• US Citizenship.
• Ability to obtain/maintain a Top Secret clearance as a condition of employment.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
• This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent will be subject to random testing.
• Applicants must be able to meet the OPM Qualification Standards of the position being filled: possess a professional science or engineering (S&E) degree, in a relevant technical field, from an accredited (or ABET accredited for engineering) academic institution.
• Applicants must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience at the next lower grade/band level (DR-01/GS-11 or equivalent). Specialized experience includes: Conducting research, design, and prototyping of machine learning (ML) models and statistical data analysis pipelines, developing software utilizing deep learning architectures (e.g., CNNs, GNNs, transformers) and modern programming languages (e.g., Python, C/C++). Deploying, optimizing, or benchmarking software pipelines on embedded systems or hardware‑constrained compute platforms.
• This is an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) position requiring Level/Tier 2 (Practitioner) certification in the Engineering & Technical Management stall. Applicants must list all completed APDP certifications on resume. Selectee will have 5 years to meet the APDP certification requirements of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, or Applied Mathematics.
• Specific research experience in AI/ML reliability, out‑of‑distribution (OOD) detection, statistical process control, or drift detection metrics (e.g., KL divergence, Wasserstein distance, Maximum Mean Discrepancy).
• 3+ years of experience in designing, optimizing, and deploying containerized ML software (Docker, Podman, ONNX Runtime, TensorRT) onto low Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP‑C) embedded devices.
• Understanding of military operational concepts such as Agile Combat Employment (ACE), Long‑Range Kill Webs (LRKW), Joint All‑Domain Command and Control (JADC2), and operations in Contested, Degraded, and Operationally‑Limited (CDO‑L) environments.
• Proficiency with multimodal sensor data representation, sparse data encodings, active learning, or graph neural networks.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary civilian, military, academic, and industry partner teams.
• Strong written and oral technical communication skills, including a track record of authoring technical reports, briefings, or peer‑reviewed papers.

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for situational telework; as determined by agency policy

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

No

Series

• 0854
• 1550
• 1560

Additional Information

Requisition Number 50096

Posting End Date

11/29/2026