Non-Kinetic Effects Software and AI/ML Applications Specialist

Location: University of Maryland College Park

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement:
The Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland is a University-Affiliated Research Center (UARC) dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and technology transition to improve decision making for U.S. national security. ARLIS combines deep scientific expertise with operational insight to address challenges in intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence / machine learning, quantum science, and human-machine teaming. Researchers, scientists, engineers, and analysts at ARLIS collaborate with government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions to deliver actionable insights and transformative solutions through research and development. Employees at ARLIS work on projects of critical importance, contribute directly to the nation’s security, and are supported by a culture that values integrity, collaboration, and professional growth.

This is an evergreen requisition for Non-Kinetic Effects Software and AI/ML Applications Specialists at the Faculty Research Specialist (FRS) and Senior Faculty Research Specialist (Senior FRS) ranks. The Specialist supports ARLIS’s expanding research portfolio in operation innovation and information. The role will contribute to a portfolio of government-sponsored projects that integrate information warfare, open-source intelligence (OSINT), and foreign languages into integrated modeling & simulation (M&S) and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The role supports application development to support sponsor non-kinetic effect decision support system needs as well as enabling ongoing research via Agentic AI into these areas. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis against current and anticipated programmatic needs; candidates may be contacted shortly after applying or weeks to months later when a matching need arises. Final appointment title and responsibilities will be based on qualifications and matched to programmatic needs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

- Experience in Python or other modern object-oriented coding language.

- Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.

- Skill in troubleshooting system errors.

- Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.

- Ability to analyze situations and determine the best recourse for response.

Must be able to obtain a US security clearance. If selected, must meet the requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to a government security clearance investigation that includes criminal and credit history checks, as well as verification of U.S. citizenship, birth, education, employment, and military history. Final offer is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to successfully obtain the necessary interim Secret security clearance, as determined by ARLIS, prior to commencing employment.

Faculty Research Specialist (FRS): The FRS supports the development of non-kinetic effects software, M&S, and AI/ML applications under the direction of project leads. At this rank the Specialist integrates onto Agile project teams; implements and tests application components, data pipelines, and M&S modules in Python or other modern object-oriented languages; assists in setting up AI tools and Agentic AI harnesses that enable research tasks for scientists; documents code and deliverables; and learns ARLIS processes and policies, with the expectation of growing toward increasingly independent contribution.

Senior Faculty Research Specialist (Senior FRS): The Senior FRS brings a well-developed, specialized skill set in software development, Agentic AI, and M&S and a demonstrated ability to administer research and development tasks, as evidenced by experience successfully discharging responsibilities such as those of a Faculty Research Specialist. At this rank the Specialist owns end-to-end application development from design through deployment, works with project leads to design enabling systems and research plans, presents results at internal and external research forums, participates in the pursuit and development of proposals, and mentors and trains new Faculty Research Specialists and students.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Faculty Research Specialist: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Science, Data Science, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Senior Faculty Research Specialist: Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Science, Data Science, or a related field from an accredited college or university, or a Bachelor’s Degree in one of these fields combined with the additional experience listed below.

Experience:
Programming experience in Python or other modern object-oriented languages, with exposure to AI/ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn) and understanding of machine learning fundamentals.

Faculty Research Specialist: Demonstrated potential for excellence in application development in support of research, such as through academic projects, research assistantships, internships, or prior software development roles. No additional years of experience are required beyond the degree.

Senior Faculty Research Specialist: Master’s Degree plus 3 years of research or applications development experience, OR Bachelor’s Degree plus at least 5 years of full-time experience at the Faculty Research Specialist level or in roles of equivalent responsibility. Superior ability to administer research and development tasks, as evidenced by experience successfully discharging responsibilities such as those of a Faculty Research Specialist (e.g., delivering application components as a core member of an Agile project team), and evidence of technical contributions (e.g., delivered software, published code, technical reports, or sponsor deliverables).

Physical Demands: Sedentary work performed in a normal office environment; exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Ability to attend meetings both on and off campus. Spending long hours in front of a computer screen.

Preferences:
Education:

Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Science, Data Science, or a related field (Faculty Research Specialist rank).

Experience:
- 3+ years of experience in Python or other modern object-oriented languages, with exposure to Agentic AI platforms and understanding of machine learning fundamentals.
- Prior experience in supporting non-kinetic technical applications or software tools for national security uses.
- 1+ years in AI-assisted programming (e.g. Codex etc.).
- Prior experience in Cloud architectures and deployments.
- Prior experience in virtualization deployment including Dockers.
- Programming experience in R or other statistical or quantitative research applications.
- Experience with developing M&S either via agent-based modeling (ABM) platforms such as Mesa, system dynamics platforms such as Stella or Vensim, or other equivalent M&S experience.
- Experience linking Agentic AI and M&S applications through API development.
- Prior experience in adjacent development skills including front-end development, UI/UX design, advanced data science, and/or quantitative statistic programs is a plus.
- Comfort working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Experience in supporting AI/ML research from a coding and application development perspective.
- Active, or eligible for a security clearance; prior clearance at SECRET or higher that is active or inactive is preferred; current TS/SCI clearance strongly preferred.
- Experience mentoring or training junior developers, researchers, or students (Senior Faculty Research Specialist).

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

Minimum Qualifications

In addition to a proven record of excellence in managing and directing an academic or research program, the appointee shall hold a Ph.D. or have at least 5 years of full-time experience as a Senior Faculty Specialist, or its equivalent. Appointments are typically made as five-year contracts. Appointments for additional five-year terms can be renewed as early as the third year of any given five-year contract.

Additional Job Details

Department

VPR-Applied Research Lab for Intelligence & Security

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Regular

Salary Range

$70,000 - $140,000

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

Resources

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