Senior Computer Scientist

Mercer Engineering Research Center; Warner Robins (GA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercer Engineering Research Center in Warner Robins, Georgia is seeking a Senior Computer Scientist to lead and design detailed software development activities. The role includes mentoring less experienced team members and leading complex software development from concept to deployment. Ideal candidates will have an undergraduate degree in computer science with at least 9 years of experience, or relevant advanced degrees with reduced experience. Proficiency in secure coding, database design, and agile methodologies is essential, along with the ability to obtain a DoD Security Clearance.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.
• 9 years of directly related experience with an undergraduate degree; 8 years with a Master's; or 3 years with a Ph.D.
• 3 years of technical lead responsibility.
• Certification in accordance with DoD 8140 series requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead, design, and perform detailed software development activities.
• Lead program design reviews with customers.
• Mentor and coach less experienced computer scientists.
• Lead development, testing, and integration of significant software.
• Analyze algorithms and requirements for software systems.

Skills

Secure coding practices

Database design principles

SQL

Agile framework

Software development life cycle

Testing strategies

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Feature engineering

Data manipulation

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Google Cloud

Azure

Education

Undergraduate degree in computer science

Master's degree in computer science

Ph.D. in computer science

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Oracle

SQL Server

Job description

As the Senior Computer Scientist, you will be responsible for leading, designing, and performing detailed software development activities.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as internal resource on structured programming techniques for software systems.
• Lead program design reviews with customer.
• Responsible from the initial concept to design, coding, and testing to meet specifications.
• Perform analysis of algorithms and requirements for computational resources and architecture required.
• Lead a team to develop software systems, including the design, implementation and deployment of device drivers, kernel enhancements, and other essential system-level software.
• Lead a team to perform analysis, design, software development, and maintenance tasks for highly complex systems.
• Coach less experienced computer scientists and ensure adherence to design and coding standards and practices.
• Mentor and lead less experienced team members.
• Lead the development, test, and integration of code for new or existing software of significant complexity involving multiple teams.
• Remain abreast of all applicable technical advancements.
• Apply and adapt theoretical principles to develop new computer software and/or hardware solutions.
• Develop approaches to solve analytical problems and document methodologies

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.
• An undergraduate degree in computer science and 9 years of directly related experience; a Master’s degree in same and 8 years of directly related experience; or a Ph.D. degree in same and 3 years of directly related experience.
• 3 years of technical lead responsibility.
• Ability to obtain certification in accordance with DoD 8140 series requirements.
• Proficient in secure coding practices.
• Proficient in database design principles and Structured Query Language (SQL).
• Proficient in agile framework and software development life cycle.
• Proficient in the developing testing strategies for components and/or applications.

Desired Qualifications:

• Proficient in TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar libraries
• Experience building, fine tuning, and deploying advanced models (e.g., LLMs, computer vision, recommendation systems)
• Designing scalable AI pipelines, integrating data ingestion, model training, and production deployment
• Familiarity with CI/CD for models and model versioning
• Skilled in feature engineering, handling large datasets, and applying vector databases for semantic search
• Ability to interpret state of the art AI research and implement findings in production systems
• Understanding of model explainability, bias mitigation, and ethical AI practices
• Strong communication skills to work with cross functional teams and mentor junior engineers in AI practices
• Familiar with data manipulation, cleaning and analysis.
• Familiar with Oracle/SQL Server
• Knowledge of MLOps and tools like Docker and Kubernetes for productionizing models
• Familiar with AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for deploying, scaling and managing AI models