Lead Machine Learning Engineer

The Lead Machine Learning Engineer will be a strong individual contributor and technical leader in the Learning and Active Perception (LEAP) group in AV’s MacCready Works division and oversee the development of a variety of innovative computer vision and related analytics for defense and commercial applications. As an experienced machine learning engineer, IV will also mentor more junior engineers. Development efforts will require a range of skills and tools across traditional engineering, computer science, and mathematical disciplines including computer vision, machine learning, optimization, deep convolutional neural networks, visual transformers, and visual tracking. This position requires interacting with other teams within and outside the LEAP group and will encompass all stages of the development cycle including requirements definition, concept design, prototyping, detailed design, test and evaluation, and validation and verification testing., * Lead the design and development of computer vision and machine learning (ML) algorithms to address wide range of technically challenging problems, including but not limited to detection, classifying, localizing, and tracking objects of interest from a variety of stationary and mobile sensor platforms.

• Maintain awareness of relevant academic literature, commercial products, and open source projects to ensure our technical solutions remain at the cutting edge
• Advise on and support design of software infrastructure and DevOps processes to support ML needs
• Implement ML algorithms and validate designs through a series of purpose-designed experiments
• Analyze ML algorithms and errors of the trained models, design strategies to overcome them
• Select appropriate datasets and data representations; supervise data acquisition process if required
• Manage available resources such as hardware, data, and personnel so that deadlines are met; coordinate activities of others (Team Lead) and between teams as required
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science/engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related Science or Engineering discipline with 5+ years of relevant experience in machine learning and/or computer vision.

• Advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum of 8-12 years of relevant experience
• Familiarity with C/C++ or Python required
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and troubleshoot complex systems
• Proficiency with a deep learning framework, preferably PyTorch
• Proficiency with basic libraries for machine learning such as scikit-learn and pandas
• Proficiency with OpenCV
• Proficiency with Linux
• Familiarity with ML standards such as ONNX

• Ability to select hardware for specific ML applications

• Expertise in visualizing and manipulating big datasets, * Experience working with DoW and Intelligence Community (IC) organizations on advanced technology, research, or AI/ML initiatives
• Familiarity working in classified spaces
• Familiarity with office software and computer-based productivity tools
• Ability to work within defined requirements to complete tasks under minimal supervision
• Must be a team player and exhibit leadership qualities
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Has effective problem-solving, analytical, and interpersonal skills
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company

• Has effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills

• Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one’s own interests

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard (Frequent)

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required

• Ability to obtain at minimum a Secret level DoD security clearance

• Willingness to travel (Frequently / up to 40%), This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract, U.S. Citizenship is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.

We don’t just build defense technology-we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian-but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you’re ready to build technology that matters-with speed, scale, and purpose-there’s no better place to do it than AV.