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, andmaintainingAI capabilities

+ identifyand investigate emerging AI and AI-adjacent technologies that are rapidly transforming the technology landscape

Are you creative, curious, energetic, collaborative, technology-focused, and hard-working? Are you interested in making a difference by bringing innovation to government organizations and beyond? Apply to join our team.

**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 AIandML algorithms,understand the behaviors of AI algorithms,identifyweak points, and design novel ways to subvert AIandML systems.

+ **AI** **and** **ML** **Algorithm Defense** **Research:** Createpractical mitigations and defenses forobservedattacksaffecting AIandML algorithmsand evaluate the effectiveness ofdefensivetechniques.

+ **Applied** **Adversarial Machine Learning** **:** Advance the state of the art inadversarialmachinelearningby developing and transitioning capabilities to government sponsors.

Your day-to-day research tasks will include:

+ **Identifying** **and** **i** **nvestigating** emerging AI and AI-adjacent technologies.

+ **Performing and** **p** **ublishing** impactful original research in the field ofAIandML algorithm vulnerabilities and securing against those vulnerabilities.

+ **Adapting and** **a** **pplying** existing research in the field to solve real-world problems.

+ **Transitioning and** **p** **roviding** **guidance** onAI capabilities to government sponsors.

**Duties: **

+ **Hands-on research: ** You'llconduct and lead novel research in applied machine learning and artificial intelligence.

+ **Solution development:** You'llwork with and lead interdisciplinary teams to turn research results into prototype operational capabilities for government customers and stakeholders.

+ **Strategy:**  You'llwork withthe leadership teamand colleagues to plan, develop, and carry out an overall research strategy, and to influence the national research agendaregardingfuture technology.

+ **Collaboration:**  You'llactivelyparticipateon teams of software developers, researchers, designers, and technical leads.You'llbuild relationships and collaborate with researchers, government customers, and other stakeholders to understand challenges, needs,possible solutions, and research directions.

+ **Mentoring:** You'llcontribute to improving the overall technical capabilities of the Divisionby mentoring and teaching others,participatingin design (software and otherwise) sessions, and sharing insights and wisdom across the SEIAIDivision.

**Knowledge and** **Experience**

+ Comprehensiveknowledge ofmachine learning;previousexperiencein adversarial machine learningpreferredbut notrequired

+ A track recordofconducting research and applying scientific methodsto solvedifficult problems

+ Experienceleadingresearchprojectsinnovelareaswith limitedpreviouswork to build upon

+ Abilityto work with leadership to plan, develop, anddeliveran overallresearchstrategy

+ Strong written and verbal communication skills;abilityto convey complex technical ideasinalayperson's terms

+ Proficiencyinwritingfunding proposalsorpitchingideas fornew researchprojects

+ Ampleexperience with publishingwritten or technicalartifactsshowcasingyour work

+ Strong collaboration skills forworkingwith colleagues and sponsors

+ Willingnesstoguide andmentorjunior 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 andmaintainan 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 (http://www.cmu.edu/jobs/why-cmu/index.html) "** to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.

+ Click here (https://www.cmu.edu/jobs/benefits-at-a-glance/) to view a listing of employee benefits

+ **Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity** **Employer/Disability/Veteran** .

+ Statement of Assurance (https://www.cmu.edu/policies/administrative-and-governance/statement-of-assurance.html)

Effective August 24, the URL for the SEI Careers site will change to https://cmu.wd115.myworkdayjobs.com/SEI .

Always focused on the future, the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) advances software as a strategic advantage for national security. We lead research and direct transition of software engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence technologies at the intersection of academia, industry, and government. We serve the nation as a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and are based at Carnegie Mellon University, a global research university annually rated among the best for its programs in computer science and engineering.

Our people apply special knowledge and skills and are part of an elite research university. We perform research and apply our expertise every day to foresee problems and exploit opportunities in software engineering, AI engineering, and cybersecurity. Quality software that is secure will control the future. At CMU SEI, we are engineering that ever-greater software-fueled future.

**Need Help?**

For technical assistance, email hr-help@andrew.cmu.edu or call 412-268-5072.

We are committed to providing an accessible experience throughout our recruitment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application, interview, or hiring process, please contact Equal Opportunity Services by email at employeeaccess@andrew.cmu.edu or by phone at 412-268-3930.