AI / Machine Learning Engineer

Job Title: AI / Machine Learning EngineerJob Description

This AI / Machine Learning Engineer role focuses on designing, developing, and deploying advanced machine learning and deep learning solutions for EO/IR imagery and sensor exploitation. You will build production-grade computer vision pipelines, support real-time and embedded deployments, and collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams to transition cutting-edge prototypes into operational applications.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement machine learning and deep learning algorithms for EO/IR imagery and sensor exploitation.
• Develop AI solutions for object detection, classification, tracking, segmentation, anomaly detection, and pattern recognition.
• Build and optimize computer vision pipelines for real-time or near-real-time image and sensor data processing.
• Create and maintain data ingestion, labeling, and feature engineering workflows to support robust model training.
• Support deployment of AI/ML algorithms onto embedded, edge, and space-qualified computing environments.
• Collaborate with systems engineers to derive AI requirements and validate algorithm performance against mission needs.
• Work with software engineers to transition AI/ML prototypes into reliable, production-grade operational applications.
• Evaluate model performance using mission-relevant metrics and datasets, including accuracy, precision, recall, false positive rate, false negative rate, and F1 score.
• Explain performance tradeoffs between precision, recall, and overall model accuracy in the context of mission requirements and operational constraints.
• Apply optimization techniques and analyze the impact of different optimizers such as SGD and RMSProp on model convergence and performance.
• Train and evaluate models using large-scale image or sensor datasets, ensuring scalability and reliability.
• Develop automated testing, validation, and model monitoring capabilities to ensure ongoing model quality and stability.
• Support customer demonstrations, technical reviews, and program milestones with clear technical communication and results.
• Contribute to research and development initiatives involving advanced sensing technologies and autonomous systems.
• Develop software solutions within Linux environments, integrating AI/ML components into broader system architectures.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience developing production-grade applications.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience designing, training, validating, and deploying machine learning and/or computer vision models.
• Demonstrated experience supporting imagery analysis, image exploitation, image processing, object detection, classification, segmentation, or pattern recognition applications.
• Professional experience working with deep learning architectures, including Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), object detection frameworks, and end-to-end computer vision pipelines.
• Strong Python development experience and proficiency with common AI/ML development libraries.
• Strong understanding of machine learning model evaluation metrics, including accuracy, precision, recall, false positive rate, false negative rate, and F1 score.
• Ability to clearly explain performance tradeoffs between precision, recall, and overall model accuracy based on mission requirements and operational constraints.
• Solid mathematical foundation in probability, statistics, linear algebra, optimization, and model performance analysis.
• Demonstrated understanding of optimization techniques and ability to explain the impact of different optimizers such as SGD and RMSProp on model convergence and performance.
• Experience training and evaluating models using large-scale image or sensor datasets.
• Experience developing software within Linux environments.
• Hands-on machine learning or artificial intelligence experience in a professional setting.
• Professional software development experience with a focus on AI/ML and computer vision applications.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting Electro-Optical (EO), Infrared (IR), or multi-spectral imagery systems.
• Experience developing AI/ML solutions for satellite imagery or remote sensing applications.
• Background in advanced sensing technologies and autonomous systems research and development.
• Willingness to consider relocation after approximately one year to locations such as Chantilly, VA, Tucson, AZ, or Long Beach, CA.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively with systems engineers and software engineers.
• Ability to present technical concepts clearly during customer demonstrations, technical reviews, and program milestones.

Work Environment

This role offers a remote work environment, providing flexibility in daily work location while engaging in highly technical, mission-focused projects. You will primarily work within Linux-based development environments using Python and common AI/ML libraries to build and integrate computer vision and machine learning solutions. Collaboration will occur virtually with cross-functional engineering teams, and you will participate in remote technical reviews, demonstrations, and project milestones.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Tucson, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80.00 - $100.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Tucson, AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.