Senior Machine Learning Project Engineer

Job Description :

At Saab-Skapa we are building a team of experts that will create the next state-of-the-art solutions in AI / ML and AI / ML enabled dual use, multi-domain Autonomous systems.

Skapa is Saab Inc’s newly formed Innovation and Technology Accelerator Group. At Skapa we are creating research driven products across multiple domains in AI / ML and Autonomous systems.

Our teams work on a broad range of internally funded research and product development topics as well as on externally funded, low TRL, research problems to support US Govt and DoD needs.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Machine Learning engineer to serve a dual role of MLE and project management to lead and manage a team of AI / ML engineers and scientists in developing advanced AI / ML and multidomain Autonomous system solutions and ensuring responsible AI practices.

This role involves overseeing multiple projects, funded internally as well as by the Department of Defense (DoD), coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring the successful delivery of project milestones.

Given the breadth and depth of these projects the ideal candidate must have hands on experience working with ML, Autonomy teams and delivering AI / ML and autonomy solutions / products.

To be successful in this role, you are a leader, a team player, and are excited by the prospect of building cutting edge AI driven products.

You will be cross-functional and will be working with highly technical teams. You are empathetic, curious, and incredibly detail-oriented and organized.

You read documentation thoroughly and are comfortable asking questions and seeking help. This position, while remote, requires travel to our university partners / collaborators, as needed, to support in-person milestone updates to our external customers and to maintain continuity of effort and interactions.

Occasional travel to our San Diego office is also expected. If you reside in the San Diego area the position is Hybrid (3 days / week in office, 2 days / week remote)

Responsibilities :

Project Management : Lead and manage AI / ML, Autonomy, Govt funded projects (DARPA, ONR, DoD, etc) from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery, within scope and budget.

Team Leadership : Coordinate and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of AI / ML, Autonomy, engineers and scientists, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance evaluations.

Individual Technical Contribution : this dual role position requires management for ML projects as well as individual contributions as needed these include roles such as benchmarking and / or test and evaluation of ML based solutions and training data sets and other model development best practices.

Business process : In collaboration with business process teams, represent team and lead all RFP / RFI proposal processes and internal business gateways from ideation to submission.

Stakeholder Communication : Serve as the primary point of contact between the DoD and internal teams, providing regular updates on project progress, risks, and mitigation strategies.

Technical Oversight : Ensure the technical accuracy and quality of project deliverables, including algorithm development, system integration, and testing.

Compliance : Promote and enforce disciplined engineering practices, ensuring compliance with guidelines and DoD regulations as well as any export controls, ITAR requirements.

Risk Management : Identify potential project risks and develop mitigation plans to address them proactively.

Resource management and budgeting : Manage resources effectively, including budget, personnel, and equipment, to maximize project efficiency and outcomes.

Documentation : Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including requirements, design specifications, testing protocols, and user manuals.

Continuous Improvement : Foster a culture of continuous improvement by identifying and implementing best practices in AI / ML project management and development.

University Collaboration : Interface and collaborate with university PI’s and graduate students in managing and progressing all project milestones by continuously monitoring progress, pre-empting roadblocks and providing actionable solutions.

Technology Transfer : Lead / Enable the technology transfer of research results to Saab Inc’s internal applied engineering teams and assist in productionizing in a co-development mode.

Planning and Strategy : Support all internal strategic planning and operations reviews including post hoc analyses and lessons learnt.

Support PI’s with milestone reviews with internal and external customers.

Conferences and Presentations : Socialize key milestones with industry, academia, and government through conference presentations, technical paper publications, and media relations.

Compensation Range : $137,700-$179,000

The compensation range provided is a general guideline. When extending an offer, Saab, Inc. considers factors including (but not limited to) the role and associated responsibilities, location, and market and business considerations, as well as the candidate's work experience, key skills, and education / training.

Skills and Experience :

Required Skills / Experience :

Education : BS or MS in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related analytical field.

Experience : Minimum of 5 years (BS) or 3 years (MS) of experience in technical program management, preferably in AI / ML and autonomous systems.

Technical Expertise : Strong understanding of AI / ML technologies, autonomous systems, IoT, and related fields. Demonstrated experience in developing, managing and delivering ML / Data Science projects.

Programming skills : familiarity with programming languages such as Python and libraries, deep-learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, Keras, and Cloud solutions such as AWS, Azure, GCP etc.

Familiarity with containerization.

Project Management Skills : Proven experience in managing complex technical projects, including project planning, scheduling, and risk management.

Must exhibit leadership for executing practical application of engineering processes on a development program and maintaining engineering rigor while balancing cost, technical, and schedule.

Project reporting and budgeting : Demonstrated experience in working with Govt. Agencies such as DARPA, ONR, DIU, including reporting, budget management and client interactions.

Interpersonal Leadership Skills : Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

The ability to build effective working relationships is a must, especially across government and industry.

Technical Leadership : Strong technical leadership with a research-to-product mindset, including experience leading teams of senior researchers and engineers.

Compliance Knowledge : Familiarity with DoD regulations, export controls, ITAR and other similar requirements.

Communication skills : Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment ability to communicate well with peers and different levels of management and the customer.

Citizenship and Security Clearance : This role requires citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance as required by DoD.

Desired (good to have) Skills / Experience :

Certifications : PMP, PgMP, or similar project management certifications.

DoD Experience : Previous experience working on DoD-funded projects.

Research Background : Experience in research and development, particularly in AI / ML and autonomous systems.

Responsible AI : Strong understanding of responsible AI practices and ethical considerations in AI / ML. Familiarity / experience with responsible and explainable AI principles as well as ethical considerations in AI / ML data, models, and methods.

Programming skills : Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, and deep-learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, Keras etc.

and Cloud solutions such as AWS, Azure, GCP etc.

Machine Learning : Demonstrated experience with ML / DL frameworks, statistical machine learning, model / data benchmarking including in use performance evaluations.

Autonomous systems : Demonstrated experience or familiarity with developing and applying SOTA ML solutions to unmanned autonomous systems such as UAV’s, UxV’s, Robotic navigation.

Familiarity with perception sensing modalities, EO / IR, RADAR, LiDAR, Ultrasonics, etc.

Familiarity with simulation environments for training and testing autonomous systems, including, ROS, Unity, Unreal, etc.

Experience working in the DoD and other Govt contracting agencies.

Status Requirements :

Must be a US citizen and be eligible for security clearance if needed.

Citizenship Requirements :

Must be a U.S. citizen. Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Drug-Free Workplaces :

Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for sustaining drug-free workplaces.

As a condition of employment, candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Benefits :

Saab provides an excellent working environment offering professional growth opportunities, competitive wages, work-life balance, business-casual atmosphere and comprehensive benefits :

Medical, vision and dental insurance for employees and dependents

Paid time off including : minimum of 3 weeks vacation, 5 floating holidays, 8 designated holidays, parental leave, personal illness, bereavement, jury duty, long-term and short-term disability

401(k) with immediate vesting on employer match

Tuition assistance

Student loan assistance

Wellness account, Care.com subscription and employee assistance programs

Employee stock purchase program with employer match