Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Research and Development Engineer
Penn State University
State College, PAFull-time$146–319K/yrPosted 1mo agoStill listed today
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Job overview
Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory seeks Research and Development Engineers for its Computational Intelligence and Visualization Application Department. The role develops algorithmic solutions to complex sponsor problems involving large multivariate datasets, and supports visualization and decision-making. Work includes machine learning research and implementation, statistical analysis, data fusion, software prototyping, and collaboration with ARL staff and sponsors. Positions are on-site in State College, Pennsylvania, or Reston, Virginia, in a classified environment.
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Full job description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
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CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
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CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
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If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS We are seeking highly motivated Research and Development Engineers to join our Computational Intelligence and Visualization Application Department of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. You will assist in providing customers with state-of-the-art visualization and decision support. The primary focus will be researching and developing feasible algorithmic solutions to our sponsor’s complex problems given large sets of multivariate data. Located in State College, PA or Reston, VA
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
- Design and implement machine learning systems, models, and schemes
- Research and apply state-of-the-art machine learning prototypes to sponsor specific domains
- Search and select appropriate data sets before performing data collection and data modeling
- Visualize data for deeper insights
- Generate and present technical research reports and briefings
- Perform statistical analysis in support of pattern of life and anomaly detection
- Perform data fusion and correlation
- Build high quality software prototypes integrated with our various research and pre-production software environments
- Collaborate with other ARL staff and sponsors
- Supervise the work of lower-level staff and undergraduate student
- Perform tasks of a larger scope and lead specific tasks within the project scope
Required skills/knowledge includes:
- Data science/algorithm development
- Data science / Machine Learning languages to include Python
- Research, development and implementation of machine learning models
Preferred skills/knowledge includes:
- Active TS/SCI Clearance
- Master’s degree
- Training and optimizing ML algorithms on GPU hardware architectures, specifically NVIDIA based
- Working with geo-spatial data
- Statistics, multivariable calculus, and linear algebra
- Exploratory data analysis and visualization
- Data science / Machine Learning tools to include Pandas, PyTorch/TensorFlow, NumPy, MatPlotLib, PostGreSQL, FastAPI
- Software Development tools to include Git, Docker, Kubernetes, SSH
Your work location will be on-site State College PA or Reston, VA in a classified environment
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS If filled as R&D Engineer - Artificial Intelligence (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 19+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as R&D Engineer - Artificial Intelligence (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 5+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None If filled as R&D Engineer - Artificial Intelligence (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 14+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. SALARY & BENEFITS The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $146,040.00 - $318,840.00. This salary range includes an adjustment based on required geographic work location. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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How this job compares
Set against the 6,294 open Machine Learning Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$146–319K/yr
- Pennsylvania median$123–241K/yr89 salary ranges
- US median$150–246K/yr5,154 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $232K, is 28% above the Pennsylvania median midpoint ($181K) — in the top quarter of Machine Learning Engineer salary ranges in Pennsylvania.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 119 open Machine Learning Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania and 6,294 across the US. 8% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 5 years of experience; Machine Learning Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (5,032 postings).
- Education
- This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 2,031 of the 6,294 open Machine Learning Engineer jobs (32%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 10, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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