Machine Learning Engineer - Advanced AI and Cognitive Systems

About the role

HRL Laboratories, an IBM company, pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers - ready for real-world application.

For more than 70 years, HRL’s rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other - often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways. As a private company owned by IBM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art.

HRL Laboratories develops robust intelligent systems that deliver adaptable, autonomous performance improvement solutions for complex missions. Our teams advance human-machine synergy, operationalized machine learning models and complex systems analytics and agents to create scalable, secure technologies. We design novel algorithms and mission-ready solutions that strengthen decision making for autonomous and human-guided systems across national security and commercial applications.

Position Summary

Join a research team advancing next generation intelligent systems. This role focuses on machine learning, multimodal AI, cognitive state sensing, and cognitive modeling. You will help develop adaptive software prototypes for mission driven R&D programs.

Essential Duties

Lead and contribute to research, engineering, and software development efforts in the following areas:

• Build AI models that integrate neurophysiological, behavioral, and sensor data for cognitive aware decision support
• Develop algorithms for cognitive state estimation and user modeling
• Apply cognitive science to improve explainability, trust, and human AI collaboration
• Contribute to proposals, publications, invention disclosures, and customer briefings
• Demonstrate prototypes and support capability outreach

Required Qualifications

Candidates should have experience in one or more of the following areas

• Human Machine Interaction: Cognitive architectures, neurophysiological sensing, behavioral analytics, human subjects methods
• Cognitive Modeling: Cognitive state estimation and computational models.
• LLMs & Multimodal AI: Transformers, prompt design, fine tuning, RAG, with emphasis on integrating human state and environmental context.
• Software Engineering: Scalable systems, APIs, Docker, and containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Machine Learning & AI: Supervised/unsupervised learning, RL; PyTorch/TensorFlow/JAX.
• Data Analytics: Feature engineering, statistical modeling in Python.
• MS or Ph.D. in Applied Math, Cognitive Science, or related fields.
• 3-5 years of applied ML/AI experience.
• Experience with government funded R&D programs (DARPA/IARPA/ARPA H) is a plus.
• Strong interdisciplinary communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work in fast paced, exploratory research environments.
• Curiosity driven mindset with a passion for solving complex problems.

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay Range: $140,700 - $175,950
• Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position.

Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.

• Benefits: HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance,

401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment.

• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.