Senior Computer Vision AI/ML Engineer (TS/SCI) {S}

ARKA Group L.P. (“ARKA”) is an advanced technologies company serving the U.S. military, intelligence community, and commercial space industry delivering next-generation solutions to support the national security space enterprise. Built on more than six decades of excellence, ARKA brings modern approaches and a culture of innovation to the challenges of today.

Join the ARKA team to learn how Beyond Begins Here. Discover your next career opportunity now!

Position Overview:

This position is for a Senior Computer Vision AI/ML Engineer. As a CV AI/ML Engineer, you will apply cutting-edge AI/ML-based Computer Vision algorithms to problems in remote sensing, including Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) and Multimodal Data Fusion for Electro-Optical (EO) and Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR). You will be responsible for maturing, optimizing, and deploying these algorithms to a cloud-hosted environment. You will also serve as a technical leader and will have the opportunity to guide a team of researchers and developers to see these algorithms from prototype to operations. 

We offer generous relocation benefits for eligible candidates.

In support of work/life balance, many positions are available for a flexible schedule within the pay period.  Ask us about the opportunity for flex scheduling if that’s of interest to you. 

Responsibilities:

As a CV AI/ML Engineer, your responsibilities include: 

• Leading a small team consisting of developers and researchers to implement AI/ML algorithms to solve computer vision problems in remote sensing 
• Analyzing and pre-processing large remote sensing datasets 
• Researching supervised and unsupervised ATR solutions for remote sensing 
• Researching the performance benefits of multimodal data fusion for ATR, under diverse data collection scenarios 
• Training, optimizing, and deploying deep learning CV models that provide analysts with actionable insights 
• Reviewing relevant publications to understand cutting edge concepts, break down key ideas to government customers, and apply to defense and commercial applications 
• Writing technical documentation supporting code, program capabilities and user-guides 

Required Qualifications:

• BS in machine learning, computer science, computer vision, mathematics, or relevant fields
• Experience leading an interdisciplinary team of researchers and software developers and working with a program manager to define project scope and schedule to ensure we meet project milestones as defined by our customers 
• Experience selecting a technical AI/ML approach and then iterating/pivoting as needed to enhance performance 
• Experience with Python and any of the following Python machine learning frameworks: PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, PyTorch Lightning, scikit-learn / scikit-image, and/or OpenCV 
• Experience training wither convolutional-based CV models (e.g. YOLOv3-11, YOLOX) or transformer-based CV models (Vision Transformer, Swin, etc.)
• Effective communicator with the ability to write and present technical reports both internally to the engineering team and externally to customers 
• 5+ years of experience, preferably in software development or as a data scientist with 3+ years of developing/training AI/ML models 
• Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS or PhD in machine learning, computer science, computer vision, mathematics, or relevant fields 
• Experience with Self-Supervised Learning (SSL) and student-teacher approaches (e.g., DINO, knowledge distillation, BYOL) 
• Experience with applying AI/ML algorithms to Image Segmentation, Super Resolution, Image Denoising, Image Restoration, and Multi-INT Fusion 
• Experience with Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) and applying them to CV-based problems 
• Experience working with image processing chains for any of the following domains: SAR, EO, and OPIR 
• Experience working with datasets of overhead imagery like xView, SpaceNet datasets, Functional Map of the World, xView3, MSTAR, HRSID, CAESAR, DOTA v1/v2, etc. 
• Familiarity with using AWS cloud computing resources such as EC2, S3, Lambda, etc. 
• Experience with version control processes and tools for code version control, data version control, and model version control 
• Experience with Linux 
• Experience with implementing tracking and fusion, and pattern-of-life algorithms 
• Experience in application deployment, virtualization, and containerization 
• Experience shaping and writing proposals 
• Active TS/SCI with a Counter Intelligence (CI) or recent Full-Scope Polygraph (FSP) U.S. Government Security Clearance

Pay Range: $130,000 - $200,000

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

The application window will close in 60 days for this position.

Location: Aurora, CO

Being situated at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Aurora provides opportunities to enjoy all the beautiful nature that Colorado has to offer, while also being a 20-minute drive from downtown Denver and 15-minutes to the Denver International Airport.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive medical/vision/dental insurance packages
• Company contributions to qualified HSA accounts
• 401k retirement plan with industry leading company contributions
• 3 weeks of vacation accrual per year plus time off for sick leave and unscheduled life events
• 13 paid holidays
• Upfront tuition assistance for approved degree programs
• Annual bonus program based on company and employee performance
• Company paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance
• 4 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

EHS/Environmental Requirements:

This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to use hands to keyboard, communicate, listen to, and interpret instructions and remain stationary for extended periods of the time. This would require the ability to move around the campus and occasionally move/lift items weighing up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Applicants are invited to apply for a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job. To apply, send a request to [email protected] or contact 203-797-5000 and press 2 for Human Resources.

ITC & Security Clearance Requirements:

This position requires an active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance.

Visa Restrictions:

No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Pre-employment Screenings:

Employment with any ARKA companies in the U.S. is contingent upon satisfactory completion of several pre-employment requirements to include a credit check, background check, and drug screen.