Cognitive Science Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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:
https://www.hrl.com/careers/benefits
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.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform
pre-employment substance abuse testing.
If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the
law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
For our privacy policy please visit: www.hrl.com/privacy
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.