Staff Research Scientist – Artificial Intelligence Engineer

About the role

ARA’s Analytical and Spatial Intelligence Research Team (ASIRT) is seeking scientists and researchers to develop artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and computer vision software for the US defense and intelligence communities. The team conducts fundamental and applied research in generative AI, agentic AI systems, large language models (LLMs), vision language models (VLMs), backbone fine-tuning, AI explainability, adversarial attacks, and world models.

This is a collaborative, close-knit team of creative thinkers from diverse backgrounds who devise non-standard solutions to challenging problems. Ideal candidates are creative, entrepreneurial, and seeking a stable industry research career.

Position is located in the Raleigh, NC metropolitan area.

Responsibilities

• Research, develop, test, and deploy AI, machine learning, and computer vision software
• Process and integrate data from satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, ground vehicles, human-wearables, and smart devices
• Communicate technical results effectively to team members and stakeholders

Requirements

• US citizenship (green card holders are not eligible)
• Eligibility to apply for and hold a U.S. security clearance (selected applicants will undergo a security investigation)
• 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)
• Software development experience in Python and C/C++
• Solid mathematical background in linear algebra and probability theory
• Experience with AWS cloud computing
• Experience with collaborative software development and version control (Git)
• Proficiency in at least one of the following: mathematics, physics, robotics, sensor fusion, machine learning, computer vision, or signal processing

Desirable Skills

• Experience with AWS, S3, Docker, and Kubernetes
• Software development for edge devices (GPUs, mobile phones, deployed CPUs)
• Experience working with and flying Class I unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
• Technical proposal writing experience
• Experience working on intelligence and DoD programs

About ARA

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company providing technically superior solutions to complex challenges in the physical sciences since 1979. With over 2,200 employee-owners across the U.S. and Canada, ARA offers expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies; computer software and simulation; systems analysis; environmental technologies; and testing and measurement.

The company fosters a challenging culture where innovation and experimentation are the norm, encapsulated by the motto “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit.” Employee ownership ensures staff have a voice in company decisions.