AI Ops Research Engineer-Mid -Level

The Opportunity

We are seeking a dedicated AI Operations Research Engineer-Mid -Level. The AI Operations Research Engineer conducts applied research and experimentation to identify and advance emerging AI capabilities for Application and Infrastructure Operations. The role monitors industry trends, AI/ML research, open-source technologies, and vendor capabilities, translating promising developments into prototypes and evidence-based recommendations.

This hands-on role explores machine learning, generative AI, agentic AI, predictive operations, intelligent observability, and automation to determine which capabilities can improve reliability, resilience, incident management, and operational efficiency. Success is measured by turning emerging technology into validated opportunities that can inform product and engineering investment.

This position will be based in San Antonio; TX and offers a flexible working environment with an on-site requirement of 5 days per week. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

What you'll do

• Research emerging AI, AIOps, observability, automation, and industry trends to identify technologies and approaches with potential value for Application and Infrastructure Operations.
• Translate operational challenges and emerging technologies into research hypotheses, experiments, prototypes, and measurable evaluation criteria.
• Evaluate machine learning, generative AI, agentic AI, predictive analytics, anomaly detection, root-cause analysis, and intelligent automation for operational use cases.
• Develop rigorous evaluation and testing methods to assess accuracy, reliability, scalability, failure modes, production readiness, and business value.
• Translate validated research into technical recommendations and production opportunities, identifying which capabilities should advance, be refined, or be discontinued.
• Communicate research findings and recommendations to engineering, product, risk, and leadership stakeholders, including key opportunities, limitations, risks, and investment considerations.

What You Have

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM or Business field with applied quantitative or behavioral research fields; OR 4 years of relevant education and/or experience.
• 4+ years of experience in applied research, AI/ML, data science, software engineering, operations research, or related technical fields.
• Strong programming and analytical skills using Python and relevant AI/ML or data-analysis tools.
• Experience designing experiments, developing prototypes, analyzing results, and making evidence-based recommendations.
• Working knowledge of machine learning, statistical analysis, generative AI, and LLM concepts.
• Ability to rapidly evaluate emerging technologies and distinguish technical potential from production readiness.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including communicating complex findings to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Knowledge of AI governance, model risk, data management, privacy, security, or operational risk principles.

What Sets You Apart

• Experience applying AI/ML to AIOps, observability, reliability engineering, infrastructure operations, or incident management.
• Experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or scikit-learn.
• Experience researching or prototyping generative AI, agentic AI, or autonomous operations capabilities.
• Experience building AI evaluation frameworks, including model comparisons, benchmarks, regression testing, and failure-mode analysis.
• Familiarity with AIOps and observability technologies such as Dynatrace, BigPanda, Moogsoft, OpenTelemetry, Prometheus, or Grafana.
• Experience evaluating emerging AI technology in a regulated or highly controlled environment.
• Demonstrated success transitioning research or prototypes into engineering roadmaps or production-development initiatives

Compensation range

The salary range for this position is: $93,770- $168,790.

USAA does not provide visa sponsorship for this role. Please do not apply for this role if at any time (now or in the future) you will need immigration support (i.e., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT Training Plans, etc.).

Compensation

USAA has an effective process for assessing market data and establishing ranges to ensure we remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range based on your experience and market data of the position. The actual salary for this role may vary by location.

Employees may be eligible for pay incentives based on overall corporate and individual performance and at the discretion of the USAA Board of Directors.

The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.

Benefits

At USAA our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellness. These benefits include comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, 401(k), pension, life insurance, parental benefits, adoption assistance, paid time off program with paid holidays plus 16 paid volunteer hours, and various wellness programs. Additionally, our career path planning and continuing education assists employees with their professional goals.

• For more details on our outstanding benefits, visit our benefits page on USAAjobs.com.
• Applications for this position are accepted on an ongoing basis, this posting will remain open until the position is filled. Thus, interested candidates are encouraged to apply the same day they view this posting.