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Applied Research Associates Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Research Associate

Mills River, NC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Essential Job Duties The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology seeks a Research Associate to ... This position conducts applied research focused on plant diseases affecting fruit and vegetable ...

Research Associate

Itasca, IL · Remote

$65K - $71K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Research Associate contributes to NSC's research agenda by advancing evaluation efforts ... Conducts applied research, evaluation, and data analysis activities that support evidence-based ...

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Boston, MA · On-site

$60K - $85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will perform basic or applied research of a limited scope, primarily using existing theories and methods. Individuals should have the ability and desire to ...

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How much do applied research associates jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for applied research associates in the United States is $32.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.20 and $37.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Applied Research Associates vs Research Scientist?

AspectApplied Research AssociatesResearch Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in engineering, science, or related fields; often requires security clearancesTypically holds a Master's or Ph.D. in a specialized scientific field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, government agencies, defense contractors, fieldworkAcademic institutions, research labs, government agencies
Employer & IndustryPrimarily defense, aerospace, government, and industrial sectorsUniversities, research institutions, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonApplied Research Associates vs Research Scientist

Applied Research Associates and Research Scientists both conduct research but differ mainly in their focus and work environment. Applied Research Associates often work on applied projects in defense and industry, requiring practical solutions, while Research Scientists typically focus on fundamental research in academic or government labs. Credentials and work settings also vary, with applied roles emphasizing engineering and security clearances, and research roles emphasizing advanced degrees in scientific fields.

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Cities with the most Applied Research Associates job openings:

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States with the most job openings for Applied Research Associates jobs include:

Infographic showing various Applied Research Associates job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,685 per year, or $32.5 per hour.

Staff Research Scientist - Artificial Intelligence Engineer

ARA

Raleigh, NC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

The Analytical and Spatial Intelligence Research Team (ASIRT) at Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking scientists/researchers interested in developing artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and computer vision software to solve challenging problems for the US defense and intelligence communities. We perform fundamental and applied research in many open areas, including GenAI, Agentic AI Systems, Large Language Models (LLMs), Vision Language Models (VLMs), backbone fine tuning, AI explainability, adversarial attacks and World Models. We are a close-knit team of creative thinkers from diverse backgrounds who collaborate to find non-standard solutions to challenging problems. We encourage candidates with a creative and entrepreneurial spirit who seek a research career within a stable industry to apply.
Staff Research Scientist - Artificial Intelligence Engineer Position Highlights:
  • Research, develop, test and deploy artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer vision software.
  • Process and integrate data from different sources, including satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, ground vehicles, human-wearables, and smart devices
  • Enjoy a challenging technical career with opportunities for personal growth
  • Team player able to communicate technical results effectively to others
  • Position is located in the Raleigh, NC metropolitan area

Staff Research Scientist - Artificial Intelligence Engineer Position Required Experience & Skills:
  • US citizenship required (green card holders are not eligible for this position)
  • Eligibility to apply for and hold a U.S. security clearance (selected applicants will undergo a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements at the time of employment)
  • BS Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or similar technical field along with 2-4 years of experience OR MS degree with 0-2 years of experience
  • Strong foundation and experience using AI/ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch) and software libraries (jax, scikit-learn, hugging-face, ollama, langchain, langgraph, or similar)
  • Experience in software development in Python and C/C++
  • Solid mathematical background in linear algebra and probability theory
  • Experience working with AWS cloud computing
  • Experience with collaborative software development and version control (Git)
  • Proficiency in one of the following areas: mathematics, physics, robotics, sensor fusion, machine learning, computer vision or signal processing

Staff Research Scientist - Artificial Intelligence Engineer Position Desirable Experience & Skills:
  • Experience working with AWS, S3, Docker and Kubernetes
  • Experience developing software for execution on edge devices (GPUs, mobile phones, deployed CPU)
  • Experience working with and flying Class I unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
  • Experience writing technical proposals
  • Experience working on intelligence and DoD programs

Who is ARA?
Do you want to work for a purpose? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 2,226 employee-owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.
ARA also prides itself, on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. The motto, "Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit" sums up the ARA experience. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice in what happens in the company.
To find out more about what the Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Division has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.