Research Software Engineer, AI/ML

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Virginia Tech's Advanced Research Computing (ARC) seeks a Research Software Engineer, AI/ML, to build and support software enabling AI and machine learning for researchers. This hands-on role tackles varied challenges, grows with the team, and progressively owns our LLM infrastructure while collaborating with faculty and ARC staff.

The position will involve leading workshops and training to help researchers use AI effectively, with a hybrid on-site/remote work arrangement and standard VT

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• Experience working natively in a Linux environment (shell, scripting, package management, system-level troubleshooting).
• Experience developing and maintaining software and/or web services.
• Experience with containerization technologies for deploying scalable workloads.

Responsibilities

• Build and support software enabling AI/ML for researchers.
• Own progressively the LLM infrastructure and related AI services.
• Lead workshops and training to help researchers use AI effectively.

Skills

Linux environments

Software development

Scripting

Containerization

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Docker

Job description

Job Description

Advanced Research Computing (ARC) provides Virginia Tech researchers with access to high-performance computing systems, data storage, visualization facilities, and expert support. We help faculty and students across all disciplines get the most out of HPC and advanced computing tools.

The Research Software Engineer, AI/ML builds and supports the software that makes AI and machine learning accessible to our researchers. This is a hands‑on, generalist role where you'll tackle varied challenges across AI services, grow your skills alongside the team, and progressively own our LLM infrastructure. You will work directly with faculty, Computational Scientists, and the rest of the ARC team to make AI tools useful for research. The role also involves leading workshops and training to help more people use AI effectively.

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this position. This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. While some remote work flexibility may be available, the role is expected to be performed primarily on‑site.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree, or a combination of education, training, and progressive experience that equates to a Master's degree
• Demonstrated professional experience working natively in a Linux environment (shell, scripting, package management, and system-level troubleshooting)
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining software and/or web services
• Experience with containerization technologies for deploying scalable workloads

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience deploying and managing LLMs in production, including GPU computing in HPC environments
• Experience with LLM inference serving frameworks (vLLM, SGLang, llama.cpp) for high-throughput, low-latency deployment
• Experience using or building AI-driven applications and agent workflows (e.g., tool-calling, orchestration, integration into existing services)
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, observability, and monitoring (Grafana, Prometheus) for production systems

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$110,000 - $130,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

9/3/2026

Additional Information

Due to the nature of the work conducted within the organization, the successful candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident). Sponsorship is not available for this position. This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. While some remote work flexibility may be available, the role is expected to be performed primarily on‑site. The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands‑on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem‑solvers. A comprehensive land‑grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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