Senior Machine Learning Engineer

themarlinalliance; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Marlin Alliance, Inc. seeks a Senior Machine Learning Engineer to design, develop, and implement advanced ML models for naval applications. The role emphasizes distributed systems, cloud-native development, and secure software practices for DoD environments.

Located on-site near NAVWAR and other Navy facilities, the position requires collaboration with cross-functional teams and the ability to work in mission-critical settings with tight security controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Proven experience building and deploying ML models in real systems.
• Strong programming skills in Python; familiarity with cloud and container tech.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with teams to address Navy operational challenges using data pipelines.
• Design and deploy data pipelines and analytics for naval applications.
• Perform exploratory data analysis, model development, and testing.
• Normalize data to common standards for interoperability.
• Work with CSV, JSON, XML, Parquet, and ORC formats.
• Deploy, monitor, and optimize pipelines for reliability.
• Implement event streaming with Kafka, Kinesis, RabbitMQ, or ZeroMQ.
• Utilize AWS Lambda, Dask, or Spark for distributed processing.
• Use AWS S3, RDS, EFS, SNS, SQS in cloud-native setups.
• Leverage AirByte, Airflow, dbt, Iceberg, Snowflake for pipelines.
• Work with GIS data using ArcGIS and PostGIS.
• Containerize environments with Docker or Kubernetes.
• Apply cybersecurity principles for secure DoD data applications.
• Communicate findings with technical and mission stakeholders.

Skills

Python

Java

C++

Go

Kubernetes

Docker

Cloud AWS

Git

Spark

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/DS/Geography/Math/ML/Statistics

Tools

Airflow

Snowflake

ArcGIS

PostGIS

Job description

The Marlin Alliance, Inc. is seeking a Senior Machine Learning Engineer to design, develop, and implement advanced machine learning models and algorithms in support of naval applications. This role requires deep technical expertise in modern machine learning methods, distributed systems, cloud-native development, and software engineering best practices. The Senior ML Engineer will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver mission-focused AI solutions that integrate into operational Navy environments.

Incorporated in 2002, The Marlin Alliance is a digital transformation company dedicated to ensuring our clients compete and win in tomorrow’s digital world. We specialize in creating technical solutions that allow for seamless execution of automated business processes and the generation of governed, machine-consumable data. From strategic planning to advanced analytics and cybersecurity, our team provides cutting-edge, cross-disciplinary solutions. We are seeking motivated professionals who share our agile, solution-oriented mindset and are ready to deliver the real, practical results relied upon by our clients.

Citizenship and Clearance requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship required
• No dual citizenship
• Active TS security clearance required
• Active TS SCI security clearance preferred

Location - ON-Site near one of the following locations:

1. 1st Space Brigade - Fort Carson, CO
2. Air Force TENCAP - Colorado Springs, CO
3. NIWC LANT - Charleston, SC
4. Buckley Space Force Base - Denver, CO
5. NAVWAR - San Diego, CA

Travel:

• 15%

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand and address Navy operational challenges using data pipelines and analytics.
• Design, develop, and implement data pipelines and analytics for naval applications.
• Perform exploratory data analysis, algorithm development, and testing.
• Normalize and structure data to common standards for interoperability.
• Work with multiple data formats, including CSV, JSON, XML, Parquet, and ORC.
• Develop and deploy data pipelines and analytics in real-world operational environments.
• Deploy, monitor, and optimize data pipelines to ensure high performance and reliability.
• Implement event streaming pipelines using Apache Kafka, AWS Kinesis, RabbitMQ, or ZeroMQ.
• Utilize distributed computing platforms such as AWS Lambda, Dask, or Spark.
• Leverage cloud-native tools including AWS S3, RDS, EFS, SNS, and SQS.
• Utilize data pipeline frameworks such as AirByte, Apache Airflow, dbt, Apache Iceberg, and Snowflake.
• Work with GIS data using ArcGIS, PostGIS, and related tooling.
• Implement containerized environments using Docker or Kubernetes.
• Apply cybersecurity principles in the context of secure DoD data applications.
• Communicate findings and engineering solutions effectively with technical and mission stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Experience as a data scientist, data engineer, geospatial engineer, machine learning engineer, or software engineer.
• Proven experience developing and deploying algorithms, mathematical models, or machine learning models in real-world applications.
• Strong programming skills in Python.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) or containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with software engineering best practices, including Git.
• Strong programming skills in Java, C++, Go, or Rust.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to safely carry tools, equipment, and materials aboard ship, including ascending and descending shipboard ladders(stairwells) and navigating confined spaces while maintaining required points of contact. Tools and equipment will weigh no more than 50 lbs.
• Ability to perform required work aboard Navy vessels and in shipboard environments, including navigating narrow passageways, ascending and descending ladders (stairwells), working on elevated platforms, and operating in variable sea conditions.
• Ability to perform activities on a recurring basis during shipboard operations or testing evolutions.
• Ability to comply with Navy safety requirements and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Candidates should be prepared to complete a coding exercise as part of the interview process.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience with distributed computing and parallel processing.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automation tools (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins).
• Experience with ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn.
• Experience with cloud-native architecture and software API design.
• Experience integrating machine learning into operational DoD systems or edge computing environments.
• Familiarity with DoD AI strategies, MLOps, or data engineering in secure environments.
• Previous experience supporting government agencies or military organizations. (NAVWAR, NIWC Pacific, or other Navy C2/ISR programs strongly preferred).

Education and Certification Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Data Science, Geography, Math, Machine Learning, or Statistics, OR Equivalent years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree
• Additional certifications in cloud, data engineering, GIS, or cybersecurity are a plus

Job Classification:

Associate II
$110,000 - $180,000

Disclaimer:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job‑related instructions and to perform any other job‑related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship.

An Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities