Machine Learning Engineer - Secure AI Lab

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At the SEI AI Division, the Machine Learning Engineer works on engineering solutions that support research into vulnerabilities in AI and machine learning algorithms and help secure systems against those vulnerabilities. The Secure AI Lab focuses on improving the security and robustness of AI systems and brings together machine learning research scientists, machine learning engineers, and software developers. Its work includes counter-AI research, research into defenses for AI and ML algorithms, and applied adversarial machine learning for government sponsors. The engineer analyzes, designs, and builds responsible AI systems for government sponsors. The role involves developing machine learning models and systems, data pipelines, ETL processes, and backend systems; experimenting with machine learning methods and algorithms; rapidly prototyping and evaluating technologies; and working with researchers, developers, technical leads, and government customers. The engineer also contributes to the Division’s technical capabilities through mentoring, teaching, design sessions, and sharing expertise. The role is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and requires onsite work at the SEI offices in Pittsburgh or Arlington, Virginia, five days per week. Travel of up to 25% is required. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an active Department of War security clearance and is subject to a background investigation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, machine learning, electrical engineering, or a related discipline with eight years of experience; or a master’s degree in the same fields with five years of experience; or a PhD with two years of experience.
Comprehensive knowledge of machine learning.
Track record of using well-established engineering practices to solve difficult problems.
Understanding of how to convert research results into functioning prototypes or capabilities.
Experience leading technical projects in novel areas with limited previous work to build upon.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical ideas in layperson’s terms.
Ample experience publishing written or technical artifacts showcasing work.
Strong collaboration skills for working with colleagues and sponsors.
Willingness to guide and mentor junior team members.
Must be able to obtain and maintain an active Department of War security clearance and undergo a background investigation.
Must be willing to work onsite at the SEI’s offices in Pittsburgh, PA, or Arlington, VA, five days per week.
Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time to locations outside the home location.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in adversarial machine learning.

Responsibilities

Identify and investigate emerging AI and AI-adjacent technologies.
Define and refine processes, practices, and tools for working with AI.
Design and build well-engineered prototypes of AI systems.
Transition AI capabilities to government sponsors and provide guidance on them.
Build machine learning models and systems using machine learning frameworks and modern programming languages.
Build and work with data pipelines, ETL processes, and backend systems.
Work with, extend, and implement state-of-the-art machine learning methods.
Experiment with machine learning frameworks, methods, and algorithms in areas including computer vision, natural language processing, planning and scheduling, robot control, and safe, trusted, and reliable machine learning systems.
Conduct rapid prototyping to demonstrate and evaluate technologies in relevant environments.
Evaluate systems for performance and security and test capabilities using novel testing and analysis techniques.
Collaborate with teams of developers, researchers, designers, and technical leads, and work with researchers and government customers to understand challenges and possible solutions.
Mentor and teach others, participate in design sessions, and share technical insights across the SEI.