Staff Research Scientist – Artificial Intelligence Engineer

ARA Brand; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ara is seeking a Staff Research Scientist in Raleigh, NC, to develop AI, machine learning, and computer vision solutions for defense challenges. The ideal candidate will hold a BS/ MS in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering and have solid experience with AI/ML frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch. Responsibilities include data processing and communicating technical results. Eligibility for a U.S. security clearance is required. This role offers a dynamic environment dedicated to personal and professional growth.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Eligibility to apply for U.S. security clearance.
• 2-4 years of experience with BS or 0-2 years with MS in a relevant field.
• Solid mathematical background in linear algebra and probability.

Responsibilities

• Research, develop, test and deploy AI and ML software.
• Process data from various sources including UAVs and satellites.
• Communicate technical results effectively.

Skills

AI/ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch)

Mathematics

Cloud computing (AWS)

Software development tools (Git)

Computer vision

Education

BS Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or similar

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Staff Research Scientist – Artificial Intelligence Engineer

The Analytical and Spatial Intelligence Research Team (ASIRT) at Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking scientists/researchers interested in developing artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and computer vision software to solve challenging problems for the U.S. defense and intelligence communities. We perform fundamental and applied research in many open areas including GenAI, Agentic AI Systems, Large Language Models (LLMs), Vision Language Models (VLMs), backbone fine tuning, AI explainability, adversarial attacks, and World Models. This position is located in the Raleigh, NC metropolitan area.

Position Highlights:

• Research, develop, test and deploy artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision software.
• Process and integrate data from different sources, including satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, ground vehicles, human wearables, and smart devices.
• Enjoy a challenging technical career with opportunities for personal growth.
• Team player able to communicate technical results effectively to others.

Required Experience & Skills:

• U.S. citizenship required (green card holders are not eligible for this position).
• Eligibility to apply for and hold a U.S. security clearance (selected applicants will undergo a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements at the time of employment).
• BS Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or similar technical field with 2-4 years of experience OR MS degree with 0-2 years of experience.
• Strong foundation and experience using AI/ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch) and software libraries (jax, scikit-learn, hugging‑face, ollama, langchain, langgraph, or similar).
• Solid mathematical background in linear algebra and probability theory.
• Experience working with AWS cloud computing.
• Experience with collaborative software development and version control (Git).
• Proficiency in one of the following areas: mathematics, physics, robotics, sensor fusion, machine learning, computer vision, or signal processing.

Desirable Experience & Skills:

• Experience working with AWS, S3, Docker, and Kubernetes.
• Experience developing software for execution on edge devices (GPUs, mobile phones, deployed CPU).
• Experience working with and flying Class I unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• Experience writing technical proposals.
• Experience working on intelligence and DoD programs.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.