Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist - Secure AI Lab

Software Engineering Institute | Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Software Engineering Institute | Carnegie Mellon University (SEI) in Arlington, VA and Pittsburgh, PA, seeks a Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist to study vulnerabilities in AI/ML systems and develop defenses for government sponsors. You will lead hands-on research, mentor staff, and collaborate with cross‑disciplinary teams to advance secure AI technologies.

You will contribute to a research strategy, publish results, and transition capabilities to federal customers, while working

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS/STAT/ML/EE with 10+ years experience; MS with 8+; PhD with 5+.
• Willingness to work onsite 5 days a week.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain an active DoD security clearance; travel up to 25%.
• Strong leadership and collaboration with sponsors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on research: conduct and lead novel research in applied ML/AI.
• Lead interdisciplinary teams to turn research results into prototype operational capabilities for government customers and stakeholders.
• Develop and carry out an overall research strategy with leadership.
• Collaborate with researchers, government customers, and other stakeholders to understand challenges and research directions.
• Mentor junior team members and share insights across the SEI AI Division.

Skills

Machine learning

Adversarial ML

Research leadership

Scientific method

Written and verbal communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Statistics/ML/EE

MS in relevant fields

PhD in related field

Job description

At the SEI AI Division, we conduct research in applied artificial intelligence and the engineering questions related to the practical design and implementation of AI technologies and systems. We currently lead a community-wide movement to mature the discipline of AI Engineering for Defense and National Security.

As our government customers adopt AI and machine learning to provide leap-ahead mission capabilities, we

• build real-world, mission-scale AI capabilities through solving practical engineering problems
• discover and define the processes, practices, and tools to support operationalizing AI for robust, secure, scalable, and human-centered mission capabilities
• prepare our customers to be ready for the unique challenges of adopting, deploying, using, and maintaining AI capabilities
• identify and investigate emerging AI and AI-adjacent technologies that are rapidly transforming the technology landscape

Overview:

As a Senior Machine Learning Research Scientist, you will specialize in conducting research into the vulnerabilities of AI and ML algorithms and securing against those vulnerabilities.

The Secure AI Lab within the SEI’s AI Division focuses on improving the security and robustness of AI systems. As part of the world‑class research community at Carnegie Mellon University, the Secure AI Lab conducts and applies cutting‑edge research to protect AI systems from adversaries who aim to manipulate the system to learn, do, or reveal something it isn’t supposed to.

The Secure AI Lab Consists Of Machine Learning Research Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, And Software Developers Who Work Together To Solve Problems In The Following Areas

• Counter AI Research: Study threat models targeting AI and ML algorithms, understand the behaviors of AI algorithms, identify weak points, and design novel ways to subvert AI and ML systems.
• AI and ML Algorithm Defense Research: Create practical mitigations and defenses for observed attacks affecting AI and ML algorithms and evaluate the effectiveness of defensive techniques.
• Applied Adversarial Machine Learning: Advance the state of the art in adversarial machine learning by developing and transitioning capabilities to government sponsors.

Your Day-to-day Research Tasks Will Include

• Identifying and investigating emerging AI and AI‑adjacent technologies.
• Performing and publishing impactful original research in the field of AI and ML algorithm vulnerabilities and securing against those vulnerabilities.
• Adapting and applying existing research in the field to solve real‑world problems.
• Transitioning and providing guidance on AI capabilities to government sponsors.

Duties:

• Hands‑on research: You’ll conduct and lead novel research in applied machine learning and artificial intelligence.
• Solution development: You’ll work with and lead interdisciplinary teams to turn research results into prototype operational capabilities for government customers and stakeholders.
• Strategy: You’ll work with the leadership team and colleagues to plan, develop, and carry out an overall research strategy, and to influence the national research agenda regarding future technology.
• Collaboration: You’ll actively participate on teams of software developers, researchers, designers, and technical leads. You'll build relationships and collaborate with researchers, government customers, and other stakeholders to understand challenges, needs, possible solutions, and research directions.
• Mentoring: You'll contribute to improving the overall technical capabilities of the Division by mentoring and teaching others, participating in design (software and otherwise) sessions, and sharing insights and wisdom across the SEI AI Division.

Knowledge And Experience

• Comprehensive knowledge of machine learning; previous experience in adversarial machine learning preferred but not required
• A track record of conducting research and applying scientific methods to solve difficult problems
• Experience leading research projects in novel areas with limited previous work to build upon
• Ability to work with leadership to plan, develop, and deliver an overall research strategy
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey complex technical ideas in a layperson’s terms
• Proficiency in writing funding proposals or pitching ideas for new research projects
• Ample experience with publishing written or technical artifacts showcasing your work
• Strong collaboration skills for working with colleagues and sponsors
• Willingness to guide and mentor junior team members

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, machine learning, electrical engineering, or related discipline with ten (10) years of experience; OR MS in the same fields with eight (8) years of experience; OR PhD with five (5) years of experience
• Willingness to work onsite at an SEI facility 5 days per week.
• Be able to obtain and maintain an active Department of War security clearance.
• Willing to travel up to 25% of the time to locations outside of your home location. Travel sites include SEI offices in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., sponsor sites, and conferences.

Location

Arlington, VA, Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Software/Applications Development/Engineering

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information

• Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
• Statement of Assurance