AI/ML Research Scientist
hace 8 días
Sterling
Job Description Role Summary: Heven AeroTech is seeking an AI/ML Research Scientist who embodies the qualities of a team player to contribute to advanced research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, hydrogen energy systems, and autonomous aerospace operations. This role translates emerging scientific concepts into practical, mission-ready capabilities by bridging academic innovation with real-world defense applications. The successful candidate combines deep technical expertise with intellectual curiosity, collaborative instincts, and a strong ownership mindset. Working alongside multidisciplinary engineering teams, this scientist will help shape the technical direction of next-generation autonomous UAS through applied research, experimentation, and continuous learning. Responsibilities include developing novel algorithms, contributing to publications and patentable innovations, and building foundational intellectual property that advances resilient, autonomous aerospace systems. The ideal candidate: • Demonstrates humility by welcoming feedback, sharing credit, and prioritizing team success over personal recognition., • Proactively pursues solutions, expanding technical depth, and pushing research toward operational impact., • Is knowledgeable in both technical judgment and interpersonal awareness, collaborating effectively across engineering, research, and defense stakeholders. Essential Responsibilities: Research & Algorithm Development • Design, implement, and iteratively improve AI/ML algorithms supporting autonomous navigation, including visual-inertial odometry, SLAM, and multi-sensor fusion, • Develop adversarial robustness approaches and edge AI optimizations suitable for constrained, mission-critical defense environments, • Create predictive and data-driven models for hydrogen fuel cell performance, efficiency, and thermal management, • Build physics-informed neural networks and digital twin simulations to model aerospace system behavior and operational performance, • Document research outcomes clearly and prepare invention disclosures supporting patent development, • Produce technical specifications describing proprietary algorithms, architectures, and experimental methodologies, • Contribute to peer-reviewed publications and present findings at technical conferences and research forums, • Develop proof-of-concept software within simulation and hardware-in-the-loop environments, • Partner with engineering teams to transition research algorithms into operational UAS platforms, • Conduct testing and validation using simulated and real-world flight data, • Participate in technical design reviews and provide thoughtful AI/ML insight across teams, • Collaborate with university researchers and industry partners on joint research initiatives, • Support technical contributions to research proposals and funding opportunities, • Stay current on emerging AI/ML methods and technologies relevant to autonomous aerospace systems Qualifications and Experience: Required • Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related field with dissertation in machine learning, robotics, autonomous systems, computer vision, or control theory, • 3+ years post-Ph.D. research experience in AI/ML, • Minimum 3 peer-reviewed publications with at least one first-author paper, • Expert knowledge of deep learning architectures (CNNs, transformers, reinforcement learning) and probabilistic machine learning, • Proficiency in PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX; strong Python skills, • Experience with computer vision, sensor fusion, or state estimation, • U.S. Person status (U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, Asylee, or Refugee), • 5+ years post-Ph.D. research experience with 10+ publications and H-index ≥ 3, • Patent applications or issued patents in AI/ML or autonomous systems, • Domain expertise in one or more: robotics/ROS, aerospace/flight dynamics, quantum computing, physics-informed ML, edge AI optimization, or adversarial ML, • Proven record of transitioning research into practical applications, complemented by grant writing and Principal Investigator (PI) experience Physical Requirements: • The ability to maintain a stable, upright seated or standing position for extended periods (typically 6–10 hours per day) without significant physical fatigue., • High-frequency use of fingers and wrists for data entry, complex coding, and navigating digital interfaces using keyboards and mice., • The capacity for "near-point" visual tasking, involving the ability to focus on high-resolution displays for long durations and process dense information without excessive eye strain Sponsorship is not available for this position. Must be willing to relocate to the DMV area. Company DescriptionHeven AeroTech (Heven), Headquartered in Northern Virginia with offices in Washington, Florida and Israel, our team thrives on collaboration, diversity, and innovation. We are committed to creating a workplace where every voice matters, every effort is valued, and every team member has the tools to grow and succeed. We’d love to meet you if you’re ready to be the glue that holds a dynamic headquarters team together and lead with purpose.Heven AeroTech (Heven), Headquartered in Northern Virginia with offices in Washington, Florida and Israel, our team thrives on collaboration, diversity, and innovation. We are committed to creating a workplace where every voice matters, every effort is valued, and every team member has the tools to grow and succeed. We’d love to meet you if you’re ready to be the glue that holds a dynamic headquarters team together and lead with purpose.