Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Specialist

DESE Research, Inc. is seeking an Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ML) Specialist to support the design, guidance, and implementation of AI/ML-enabled capabilities across missile defense mission areas. This role contributes across multiple phases of the mission lifecycle, with a focus on analytical, modeling, simulation, and decision-support capabilities within a complex system-of-systems environment.
The successful candidate will work at the intersection of AI/ML, systems engineering, and mission analysis, supporting detection, tracking, discrimination, fire control, and engagement functions. Emphasis is placed on rigor, traceability, testability, and integration within mission-relevant engineering workflows.
Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with systems engineers, domain experts, and software developers to identify mission-relevant problem formulations suitable for AI/ML approaches.
• Develop, curate, and manage training and evaluation datasets from diverse sources, including definition of data management, labeling, and quality assessment strategies.
• Design and support scalable training, testing, and validation infrastructure consistent with program constraints, security requirements, and system architectures.
• Guide the selection, development, and integration of AI/ML models into existing analytical, modeling, and simulation frameworks.
• Support model evaluation activities, including performance assessment, uncertainty characterization, robustness analysis, and lifecycle considerations such as retraining and configuration management.
• Contribute to AI/ML governance activities, including documentation, verification and validation approaches, and alignment with digital engineering and systems engineering processes.
• Emphasize explainability, testability, and reproducibility of AI/ML solutions to support engineering review and operational relevance.
• Provide AI/ML subject matter expertise to the Digital Ecosystem and Platforms team in support of SE&I's AI adoption strategy.
• Support identification, evaluation, and integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) and specialized AI tooling, including SysML-based modeling and IDE plug-ins.
  

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience applying multiple AI and/or machine learning techniques (e.g., neural networks, Bayesian methods, decision trees) to complex technical or analytical problems.
• Experience with data-centric workflows, including data preparation, curation, labeling, and quality assessment for analytical or modeling applications.
• Familiarity with the full AI/ML lifecycle, including model development, training, testing, validation, and iterative improvement.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams spanning systems engineering, software development, and domain subject matter experts.
• Ability to translate high-level mission or system objectives into well-defined analytical or computational problem statements.
• Experience documenting technical approaches, assumptions, and results in a clear, structured manner suitable for engineering and programmatic review.
• Working knowledge of basic software engineering practices, including version control, modular design, and reproducibility.
• Ability to operate within established program constraints, including security, configuration management, and governance processes.
  

Additional Information
This position is contingent upon contract award and continued program funding. Employment offers may be extended prior to award; however, start dates and work assignments are subject to contractual authorization.
About DESE
For the past 43 years, DESE has provided industry-leading technical and engineering solutions in the fields of Defense, Energy, Space, and Environment. As a small, family-oriented business, DESE provides a compelling benefits package including a generous profit-sharing plan, competitive salaries, and perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to work alongside talented engineers leveraging cutting-edge technologies to solve complex and engaging problems.
Why Employees Love Working For DESE
At DESE, we are committed to creating a company that is known for its respect and care for employees. We understand that happy employees are what keeps our business going and we strive to provide the best opportunities for each individual working on our team! Here are a few reasons you will love working here:

• Competitive health, dental and vision insurance with affordable premiums
• Flexible work schedules
• Two different flexible spending account options
• Company paid life insurance with options for employee paid additional
• Performance bonus program
• Education reimbursement program
• Company paid personal leave for approved philanthropic activities
• Vacation, Sick & Holiday leave
• Robust 401k profit sharing plan
• Opportunities for internal promotions
• Employee referral incentive program
• Rewards and gifts for service anniversaries
  

Disability Accommodation for Applicants – DESE Research, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in its job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, you may use the following alternative email address or phone number to contact us about your interest in employment with us: [email protected] or 256-837-8004 x123
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