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Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory · 2 weeks ago

Senior Applied AI Researcher / Engineer – Hybrid AI - ISR & Targeting

Laurel, MD

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level

$100K/yr - $228K/yr

5+ years exp

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking a Senior Applied AI Researcher / Engineer to lead the development of hybrid AI systems for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) and Targeting. The role involves mentoring junior staff, guiding teams in AI research and development, and collaborating with program leaders to advance AI-enabled ISR systems.

EducationUniversities

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Lead and contribute to applied AI/agentic AI research and development projects, shaping and implementing new concepts in data fusion, autonomous decision-making, multi-agent systems, and intelligent orchestration of ISR resources

Guide teams in shaping and implementing algorithms, models, and AI systems that process and fuse imagery, signals, and other sensor data

Set technical direction and apply state-of-the-art AI/ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, HF Transformers) and agentic AI frameworks (e.g., Pydantic, CrewAI, Langroid) to ISR challenges

Oversee the prototyping and evaluation of intelligent systems through experiments, simulations, and real-world testing

Champion responsible AI practices, ensuring systems are transparent, trustworthy, and aligned with critical mission requirements

Collaborate with program leaders and sponsors to align technical development with strategic objectives and operational requirements

Mentor and guide junior researchers and engineers, cultivating technical excellence and responsible innovation

Lead the communication of results through high-level reports, sponsor briefings, publications, and conference presentations

Qualification

AI/MLAgentic AIPythonData fusionSignal processingSoftware engineeringPyTorchTensorFlowHugging Face TransformersLeadershipC++JavaMATLABCommunication skillsCollaboration

Required

Have a Master's degree in computer science, engineering, applied mathematics, physics, or a related field and at least 5 years of relevant experience OR a Bachelor's degree in those same disciplines with at least 8 years of relevant experience

Have experience in some of the following: AI/ML, agentic AI, signal and image processing, data fusion, or software engineering

Have proven expertise in research and prototyping with Python and AI/ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Hugging Face Transformers

Have experience with agentic AI frameworks (e.g., PyDantic, CrewAI, Langroid) for building intelligent, adaptive agents

Have strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills, with a record of guiding multi-disciplinary technical teams

Are willing and able to work a portion of the time in secure, closed areas and travel occasionally to government sites and contractor facilities (local and non-local)

Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship

Preferred

Have a PhD in a relevant technical field

Have domain knowledge in ISR processes, systems, platforms, and sensors used by the US military and intelligence community; Navy and Air Force kill chain concepts; targeting, C2, and mission planning processes and tools; threat systems, weapon platforms and systems, and communications networks

Have demonstrated experience in agentic AI, autonomous systems, and systems engineering approaches for ISR challenges

Have experience with other programming languages like C++, Java, MATLAB, etc

Have expertise in applying machine learning, statistical modeling, and computer vision to large-scale or real-time mission data problems

Have experience writing winning research proposals, managing technical projects, and engaging with key stakeholders on AI

Hold an active security clearance

Benefits

Robust education assistance program

Unparalleled retirement contributions

Healthy work/life balance

Comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development

Company

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is a not-for-profit university-affiliated research center (UARC) that provides solutions to complex national security and scientific challenges with technical expertise and prototyping, research and development, and analysis.

Founded in 1942

Laurel, Maryland, USA

5001-10000 employees