Senior Machine Learning Engineer

AeroVironment, Inc.; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holidays

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is hiring a Senior Machine Learning Engineer to advance computer vision and ML solutions for defense and commercial UAV applications.

You will join small focused teams to develop detection, classification, localization, and tracking capabilities, including prototyping, testing, and validation across multiple development stages. The role requires deep knowledge of ML, CV, optimization, and tolerance for high-security, ITAR-bound work.

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Vision and Machine Learning is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 5-8 years' relevant experience.
• Familiarity with C/C++ and Matlab is required.

Responsibilities

• Support development of computer vision and machine learning algorithms capable of detection, classification, localization, and tracking objects from a UAV.
• Write and test software to integrate ML algorithms into aircraft or robotic systems.
• Analyze data and visualize distributions to understand differences that affect models.
• Implement ML systems and validate designs through experiments.
• Develop models with clear objectives and success metrics.
• Manage resources to meet deadlines.
• Explore and rank ML models by expected performance.
• Ensure data quality and perform data cleaning as needed.
• Collaborate with team on diverse tasks and responsibilities.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Machine Learning

Computer Vision

OpenCV

Linux

Education

BS in Computer Vision and Machine Learning

Tools

TensorFlow

Keras

scikit-learn

pandas

Job description

Centreville, VA

Minneapolis, MN

Full time

7437

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

NOTE : to qualify for this role, you must be a U.S. Citizen

Summary

The Senior Machine Learning Engineer will have the opportunity to interact with R&D Group to develop a variety of innovative computer vision detection, classification, localization, and tracking solutions for defense and commercial applications. These development efforts will generally be small focused design teams which will require a senior machine learning engineer to use a range of skills and tools across traditional engineering, computer science, and mathematical disciplines including computer vision, machine learning, optimization, deep convolutional neural networks, and visual tracking.

This position will work on a variety of stages of development including requirements definition, concept design, prototyping, detailed design, test and evaluation and validation and verification testing.

Citizenship

• To qualify for this role US citizenship is required.

Position Responsibilities

• Support development of computer vision and machine learning algorithms capable of detection, classifying, localizing, and tracking objects-of-interest from a group 1 UAV using the existing gimballed camera payload
• Write and test software to support the integration of machine learning algorithms into aircraft (such as autopilots, payloads, or other functional components) or other robotic systems
• Explore and visualize data to gain an understanding of it, then identifying differences in data distribution that could affect
• Implement Machine Learning systems and validate designs through a series of purpose-designed experiments
• Create objectives and develop models that help to achieve them, along with metrics to track their progress
• Perform analysis tasks using AeroVironment and industry developed tools
• Managing available resources such as hardware, data, and personnel so that deadlines are met
• Analyze the ML algorithms to solve a given problem and ranking them by their success probability
• Performance when deploying the model in the real world; Verify data quality, and/or ensure it via data cleaning
• Analyze the errors of the model and designing strategies to overcome them
• Study and transform data science prototypes; Research & implement appropriate ML algorithms & tools
• Select appropriate datasets and data representation methods; Run machine learning tests and experiments
• Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors; Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods & techniques for obtaining solutions
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• BS in Computer Vision and Machine Learning is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience - with qualifications in any of the following fields: Mathematics, Optimization, Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum of 5 - 8 years' relevant experience
• Familiarity with C/C++ and Matlab required
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex systems
• Familiarity with office software and computer-based productivity tools

Other matrixed skills include:

• Proficiency with a deep learning framework such as TensorFlow or Keras
• Proficiency with Python and basic libraries for machine learning such as scikit-learn and pandas
• Expertise in visualizing and manipulating big datasets
• Proficiency with OpenCV
• Familiarity with Linux
• Ability to select hardware to run an ML model with the required latency
• Computational statistics
• Mathematical optimization
• Data mining
• Exploratory data analysis
• Predictive analytics

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Advanced degree is preferred
• Works well within defined requirements to complete tasks with little instruction
• Must be a team player and collaborate effectively
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Has effective problem-solving, analytical and interpersonal skills
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$129,500 - $197,500

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits : AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits .

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

Careers at AeroVironment (https://www.avinc.com/careers/our-team)