AI/ML Research Scientist

Job Description

AI/ML Research Scientist (Generative AI & Agentic Systems)  

Location: Warren, NJ (Northern New Jersey area)

Work Arrangement: On-site (No remote/telework allowed)

Security Clearance: U.S. Citizenship Required; Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance

Industry: National Security, R&D, and Mission Integration

About the Organization
We are a premier national security and technology integrator delivering high-impact solutions across land, sea, space, and cyberspace. Our research division carries a distinguished legacy of innovation, dating back to some of the most influential laboratories in telecommunications and defense history. We specialize in solving complex challenges for government agencies and essential utilities by pushing the boundaries of state-of-the-art technology.

The Role
As an AI/ML Research Scientist, you will join a high-caliber R&D team dedicated to developing next-generation AI technologies. Your primary focus will be on Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs). You will be responsible for moving beyond theory into application-customizing and deploying advanced technologies to solve real-world problems for mission-critical sponsors.
Under the guidance of senior leadership, you will conduct cutting-edge research into Agentic AI, developing autonomous and semi-autonomous systems that can reason and execute complex tasks.
Key Responsibilities
" Conduct R&D focused on Generative AI and the practical application of LLMs.
" Design and implement Agentic AI frameworks to address customer-specific challenges.
" Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build, tune, and optimize AI/ML models.
" Contribute to the full lifecycle of software development, from academic research to production-ready code.
 

Compensation & Benefits
" Target Salary Range: $104,000 - $166,000 (Commensurate with experience, education, and geographic location).
" Comprehensive Benefits: Includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) matching; paid parental leave; and competitive PTO/holiday schedules.

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience:
" Bachelor's Degree: 5+ years of relevant experience.
" Master's Degree: 3+ years of relevant experience.
" PhD: 0+ years (Entry-level PhD candidates are encouraged to apply).
" Degree should be in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical field.

Technical Skills:
" Core AI/ML: Proven experience in model building, fine-tuning, and research. Preference is given to candidates with peer-reviewed publications in international AI/ML conferences.
" Programming: Proficiency in Python is essential. Familiarity with C, C++, or JavaScript is highly valued.
" LLM Proficiency: Hands-on experience working with state-of-the-art Large Language Models at the API level.
o Note: The technical interview process will include a live coding assessment involving programmatic interactions with AI tool/function-calling APIs.
" Agentic AI: Familiarity with modern agent development frameworks.
" Software Engineering: Strong grasp of Linux, Git, CI/CD toolchains, Docker, and Postgres.
" Cloud Architecture: Foundational knowledge of AWS development.
Desired Skills (Preferred):
" Expertise in modern AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Claude Code or similar LLM-based coding assistants).
" Deep familiarity with PyTorch or TensorFlow.
" Experience with the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and multi-modal generative agents.
" Knowledge of orchestration and deployment tools such as Kubernetes, Terraform, and AWS Bedrock.

Why is This a Great Opportunity

Well respected R&D organization working in a variety of industries and up-to-date with the latest technologies