Machine Learning Software Engineer

Cornell University•Ithaca, MI

17h•Remote

About The Position

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is seeking a creative, mission-driven Machine Learning Software Engineer to join the team that develops machine learning models incorporated into Merlin Bird ID, a mobile app that helps millions of people worldwide identify birds using automated detection and classification of birds in images, audio, and video. This role will join a team that shares the mission of connecting people to nature and conservation through birds. As part of a team of software engineers, content creators, machine learning researchers, and conservation scientists this role will be critical to integrate machine learning models into products for a global community of birders, researchers, and conservation practitioners. This role will join an engineering team to design, implement, and maintain complex applications and datasets for training Merlin’s machine learning models and integrating models into apps and websites (in both online and offline contexts). This position will work at the intersection of machine learning research, global community participation in data collection, and production software systems, to deliver innovative public-facing software designed to engage people in birds and support conservation decision-making.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and three (3)+ years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experienced in machine learning and software development in research and production environments.
Extensive Python experience, including knowledge of numpy, pandas, Tensorflow and/or Pytorch.
Extensive experience working with large numerical and audiovisual datasets in Python.
Extensive Linux command line experience.
Experience with AWS, GCP, or Azure.
Experience with databases, both sql and non-sql.
Experience developing and integrating with APIs and web services.
Demonstrated experience in managing complex information technology projects, including needs assessment, team organization, definition of standards and workflows, task planning and tracking, establishment of realistic goals, and delivery of products on time and within budget.
Experience defining project requirements, including hardware and software.
Experience using software development, deployment and project management tools.
Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to clearly communicate complex technical issues to leadership team, and to participate effectively as needed in management meetings at all levels.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Ability to build working relationships to solve problems and achieve common goals.
Must be able to handle multiple concurrent tasks and priorities, and adapt to changing priorities, situations and demands.
Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
Demonstrated skill in understanding of cultural differences.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred with publications in the fields of computer vision, machine learning, or similar.
More than seven (7) years’ experience.
Prior use and thorough understanding of Merlin, eBird, or other Cornell Lab tools and resources.
Understanding of and interest in conservation, birds, bird monitoring protocols, and related vocabulary.
Experience with the following enterprise components: web servers (e.g., Apache HTTP Server) including virtual host and SSL certificate management; Java application servers (e.g., Apache Tomcat); content management systems (e.g., WordPress); servers providing GIS functionality (e.g., GeoServer); relational databases (e.g., Postgres); single sign-on systems; LDAP servers; automation servers (e.g., Jenkins); analytics and user tracking (e.g., Firebase, HubSpot).
Knowledge of security issues, disaster recovery, monitoring, virtualization, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise storage technologies.
Experience writing grants and seeking external funding to support technical infrastructure.

Responsibilities

Engage in software engineering projects with multiple, concurrent development efforts, interact with both internal and external collaborators and architect application solutions.
Develop production applications.
Serve as a technical liaison between internal engineering teams, supporting coordination and integration of application infrastructure to meet strategic objectives.
Participate actively in the design and evolution of CLO technical systems, including the integration of machine learning research into production systems.

Benefits

comprehensive health care options
generous retirement contributions
access to wellness programs
employee discounts with local and national retail brands
health and personal leave
three weeks of vacation
13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
tuition aid for external education
Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program