Machine Learning Engineer

Research Software Engineers at RAND work in a multidisciplinary environment, closely collaborating with researchers and analysts from a variety of domains. The Machine Learning Engineer will work across multiple research areas developing and maintaining custom applications and data pipelines featuring generative AI, natural language processing, LLMs, and other foundation models. The successful candidate will have a strong background in machine learning, including a mathematical, conceptual, and computational understanding of deep learning algorithms and architectures. The successful candidate will also have experience training and fine-tuning models and have experience building machine learning pipelines that leverage LLMs and other foundation models.

Basic Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of deep learning and generative artificial intelligence
• High-level proficiency in Python
• Experience in TensorFlow and/or PyTorch
• Experience with LangChain, LlamaIndex, or similar frameworks
• Experience with techniques like fine-tuning and retrieval augmented generation
• Background in natural language processing algorithms
• Cloud computing experience

Experience

• At least 2 years of relevant experience required. At least 5 years of relevant experience preferred.
• At least 1 year of experience in generative AI required.

Education

• BA/BS in Computer Science, Engineering, Statistics, or related quantitative field required.
• MA/MS in Computer Science, Engineering, Statistics, or related quantitative field strongly preferred.

Security Clearance

Ability to obtain and maintain at least a Secret U.S. government security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required for a U.S. government security clearance.

Coding Sample Required

• Applicants will be required to provide Code sample(s)-related work uploaded as a writing sample.

Location

Santa Monica, Washington D.C., or Pittsburgh

Salary Range

Level II: $85,700 - $127,500

Level III: $100,100 - $152,400

Level IV: $117,700 - $179,700

Level V: $147,000 - $224,000

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. Successful candidates will be offered employment in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.