Principal AI / ML Research Scientist

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

Join our dynamic team as a Principal AI/ML Research Scientist, where you will play a pivotal role in advancing cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies. Your expertise in Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) will be crucial as you lead groundbreaking research and development initiatives. This role is tailored for individuals with a passion for transforming theoretical concepts into practical, high-impact solutions for mission-critical applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor a high-caliber R&D team focusing on the practical application of Generative AI and LLMs.
• Design and implement advanced Agentic AI frameworks to meet specific mission objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build, optimize, and fine-tune complex AI/ML models.
• Drive the full lifecycle of software development, bridging academic research with production-grade engineering.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Target Salary Range: $146,000 - $234,000 (Dependent on 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: 12+ years of relevant experience.
• Master's Degree: 10+ years of relevant experience.
• PhD: 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.

Technical Skills:

• Core AI/ML: Expert-level experience in model building, fine-tuning, and research. Strong academic research publications in peer-reviewed international AI/ML conferences are highly preferred.
• Programming: Mastery of Python is essential. Proficiency in C, C++, or JavaScript is highly valued.
• LLM Proficiency: Advanced experience with state-of-the-art Large Language Models at the API level. Note: The technical interview process includes a live coding assessment involving programmatic interactions with AI tool/function-calling APIs.
• Agentic AI: Demonstrated expertise in agent development frameworks and autonomous system design.
• Software Engineering: Professional-grade grasp of Linux, Git, CI/CD toolchains, Docker, and Postgres.
• Cloud Architecture: Strong development skills within the AWS ecosystem.

Desired Skills (Preferred):

• Expertise in modern AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Anthropic's Claude Code).
• Deep familiarity with PyTorch, TensorFlow, and other machine learning libraries.
• Experience with the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and multi-modal generative agents.
• Expertise in orchestration and deployment tools such as Kubernetes, Terraform, and AWS Bedrock.
• Full-stack programming experience.

Seize this exceptional opportunity to contribute to a respected R&D organization, where you will work in diverse industries and stay at the forefront of technological advancements.