Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist - Frontier Lab

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s SEI AI Division Frontier Lab seeks a Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist to lead applied research and prototype capability development for government missions. You will drive technical direction, collaborate with customers, and stay hands-on in development, evaluation, and delivery across research and engineering tasks.

The role emphasizes autonomy, leadership, and impactful outcomes in DoW contexts, blending advanced ML research with practical deployment.

Job description

What We Do

At the SEI AI Division, we conduct research in applied artificial intelligence and the engineering challenges related to building, deploying, and sustaining AI-enabled systems for high-impact government missions.

The Frontier Lab advances AI engineering and transitions frontier AI capabilities to government stakeholders through applied research, rapid prototyping, short-cycle TEVV, and technical advisory.

Position Summary

As a Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist in the Frontier Lab, you will serve as a senior individual contributor and technical leader, shaping and executing applied research and prototype capability development for government and DoW missions. This role spans the research-engineering spectrum: some SR MLRS hires may lean more research-heavy and others more engineering-heavy, but successful candidates collaborate effectively across both.

You will operate with high autonomy, represent technical work with customers and stakeholders, and help guide Frontier Lab research direction—while remaining hands‑on in development, evaluation, and delivery. Your work may span