Machine Learning Engineer - Advanced AI and Cognitive Systems at HRL Laboratories

Calabasas, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Artificial Intelligence, Research and DevelopmentIndustries

Requirements

MS or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Math, Cognitive Science, or related fields
3–5 years of experience in applied ML or AI research, preferably in high-stakes or mission-critical domains
Research or development experience in one or more of: Software Engineering (scalable systems, APIs, containerized environments like Docker, Kubernetes); LLMs & NLP (transformer architectures, prompt engineering, fine-tuning, RAG); Human-Machine Interaction (cognitive architectures, user modeling, explainable AI); Data Analytics (data wrangling, feature engineering, statistical modeling using Python); Machine Learning & AI (supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement learning; PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX)
Strong interdisciplinary communication and collaboration skills
Ability to work in fast-paced, exploratory research environments
Curiosity-driven mindset with a passion for solving complex problems
U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Security Clearance, or permanent resident status (U.S. Person as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62)

Responsibilities

Lead and contribute to research, engineering, and software development in sensor data processing, system adaptation, and intelligent decision-making algorithms
Develop and fine-tune large language models (LLMs) and multimodal AI systems to reason over software, documentation, and human feedback
Apply cognitive science principles to enhance explainability, trust, and collaborative performance in human-AI systems
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to test and refine solutions in realistic operational scenarios
Stay current with emerging trends in ML, AI, and cognitive systems
Solve complex customer challenges and contribute to technical proposals
Author invention disclosures, research publications, and customer briefings
Demonstrate prototypes and support marketing of organizational capabilities

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

PythonDockerKubernetesTransformersPrompt EngineeringFine-tuningRAGXAICognitive ArchitecturesData WranglingFeature EngineeringStatistical Modeling

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for this Machine Learning Engineer position?

The base salary range is $132,765 - $165,983 plus bonus and benefits.

Is this a remote position, or is there a location requirement?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What are the key required skills for this role?

Key skills include software engineering with scalable systems, Docker, and Kubernetes; LLMs and NLP with transformers, prompt engineering, fine-tuning, and RAG; human-machine interaction with cognitive architectures and XAI; data analytics using Python; ML expertise in supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement learning with PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX; plus strong communication and collaboration.

What is the company culture like for this team?

The role involves joining a dynamic research team in fast-paced, exploratory research environments, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams on mission-driven projects with a curiosity-driven mindset.

What makes a strong candidate for this Machine Learning Engineer role?

Strong candidates have an MS or Ph.D. in a relevant field, 3–5 years of applied ML or AI research experience preferably in high-stakes domains, and experience with government-funded R&D programs like DARPA is a plus.

HRL Laboratories

Develops cognitive systems for human-machine collaboration

About HRL Laboratories

HRL Laboratories focuses on research and development of advanced cognitive systems and human-machine collaboration, enhancing human cognitive abilities through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The company develops solutions like the ICArUS project, which improves machine interpretation of information, and the MEMES project, aimed at enhancing human memory. HRL operates on a project-based model, serving clients in defense and high-tech sectors by delivering customized solutions and licensing technologies. The goal is to lead in creating cognitive systems that improve the interaction between humans and machines.

Malibu, CaliforniaHeadquarters

1997Year Founded

$1.9MTotal Funding

GRANTCompany Stage

AI & Machine Learning, DefenseIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Company Match

Gym Membership

Paid Vacation

Risks

Competition in quantum technologies could challenge HRL's market position.

Rapid AI advancements by competitors may outpace HRL's cognitive systems projects.

Reliance on government contracts poses risks if funding priorities change.

Differentiation

HRL Laboratories excels in cognitive systems enhancing human-machine collaboration.

The company is a leader in AI-driven defense projects and autonomous systems.

HRL's MEMES project focuses on advanced memory enhancement technologies.

Upsides

Growing interest in neuromorphic computing aligns with HRL's cognitive systems focus.

Increased funding for AI-driven defense projects benefits HRL's autonomous systems work.

Energy-efficient data center trends support HRL's cooling system innovations.

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