Founding Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Hampton, VA

Requisition Number: 29568
Required Travel: 0 - 10%
Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt
Anticipated Salary Range: $95,004.00 - $122,000.00
Security Clearance: Secret
Level of Experience: Mid
This opportunity resides with Global Security (GS). Mission Technologies' Global Security (GS) group comprises live, virtual, constructive (LVC) solutions; fleet sustainment; nuclear and environmental; and Australia business.
As a trusted partner to our military customers, HII designs, develops and operates the largest LVC enterprise that prepares warfighters for cross-domain battle. With advanced technologies to enable mission readiness, HII understands that preparation requires full coordination-not readiness in piece-parts.
For more than 40 years, the U.S. Navy has entrusted HII to maintain and modernize the vast majority of its fleet. With a holistic approach to life-cycle maritime defense systems-from small watercraft to submarines, surface combatants and aircraft carriers-HII ensures a high state of readiness.
HII supports the Department of Energy's national security mission through the management and operation of its sites, as well as the safe cleanup of legacy waste across the country. HII meets clients' toughest nuclear and environmental challenges.
Leadership Mindset at HII - Mission Technologies
Leadership at HII is a mindset, not a title. Through our Leadership Capability Framework, we define how every employee grows, leads, and contributes-regardless of role. It sets the standard for how you can develop yourself and what you can expect from leaders across our organization. We look for candidates who want to grow in alignment with these capabilities:

• Know & Grow Your People - Commit to learning and supporting team success.
• Build Relationships - Communicate openly, collaborate well, and build trust.
• Take Ownership - Deliver on commitments and take pride in your work.
• Customer First - Focus on the mission and those we serve.
• Shape the Future - Bring ideas, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
• Act with Urgency - Take initiative and follow through with purpose.

These capabilities guide how all employees contribute to our shared success across Mission Technologies.
Summary
HII Mission Technologies is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to support the design, development, and deployment of advanced training and simulation capabilities within the Advanced Training Domain (ATD) System-a shipboard combat system trainer that enhances U.S. Navy operational readiness. This full-time, on-site role is part of a high-performing engineering team delivering mission-driven solutions that improve warfighter training and decision-making.
In this role, you will help integrate machine-learning and data-driven capabilities that elevate the realism, adaptability, and performance of next-generation combat system training environments.
Impact, Growth & Development

• Strengthen U.S. Navy readiness by engineering ML solutions that improve training fidelity and system performance
• Collaborate with software engineers, data engineers, analysts, and end users to solve operationally relevant challenges
• Grow your skills through hands-on work with high-fidelity simulation systems, real-world training data, and modern ML/AI toolchains
• Contribute to innovations that shape future combat system training platforms

Key Job Responsibilities

• Participate in Agile sprint planning and execution across cross-functional engineering teams
• Design, develop, and deploy machine learning models supporting simulation accuracy, data analytics, performance prediction, and system-behavior modeling
• Build data pipelines for collection, preprocessing, labeling, and training using structured and unstructured Navy training data
• Integrate ML models into Linux-based training systems using containers, APIs, or embedded inference engines
• Troubleshoot, optimize, and maintain ML workflows including performance tuning, error analysis, and model explainability
• Develop supporting documentation such as architecture diagrams, data-flow documentation, model cards, evaluation reports, and code commentary
• Conduct developer testing in lab environments and aboard ship when required
• Provide occasional on-site support for installations, model validation, and user evaluations (up to 10% travel)
• Perform additional related duties as assigned to support project and organizational needs

What you must have
Required Education & Experience

• 2 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree in a related field, OR
• 0 years of experience with a Master's degree in a related field, OR
• High school diploma or equivalent and 6 years of relevant experience

Required Knowledge & Skills

• Experience developing and deploying machine learning models using Python frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or Scikit-learn
• Hands-on experience with Linux-based development environments
• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies
• Experience implementing data pipelines, feature engineering, and model-training/evaluation workflows
• Ability to troubleshoot complex software, data, or model-related issues

Required Credentials

• Ability to otain a DoD Information Assurance Technician (IAT) Level II certification or higher (e.g., Security+ CE, CCNA Security, CySA+) within 3 months of hire if not currently held.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must hold a current or active DoD Secret clearance

Preferred Requirements

• Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, ML/AI, Engineering, or related technical field
• IAT Level II certification or higher (e.g., Security+ CE, CCNA Security, CySA+)
• Experience with high-fidelity training systems, simulation environments, or Navy combat systems
• Experience deploying ML models in operational or real-time systems (e.g., REST APIs, message queues, embedded inference)
• Familiarity with ActiveMQ, messaging systems, or streaming-data frameworks
• Experience with MLOps tools such as GitLab CI/CD, Docker, Podman, Kubernetes, or virtualization technologies
• Background in data analysis for mission systems, sensor data, or tactical environments
• Experience with Jira, Git, or Subversion

Physical Qualifications
May require working in an office, industrial, shipboard, or laboratory environment. Must be capable of climbing ladders and tolerating confined spaces and a range of temperature conditions during shipboard or testing activities.
The listed salary range for this role is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, HII's Mission Technologies division takes a variety of factors into consideration which include, but are not limited to, the role's function and a candidate's education or training, work experience, and key skills.
Meet HII's Mission Technologies Division
Our team of more than 7,000 professionals worldwide delivers all-domain expertise and advanced technologies in service of mission partners across the globe. Mission Technologies is leading the next evolution of national defense - the data evolution - by accelerating a breadth of national security solutions for government and commercial customers. Our capabilities range from C5ISR, AI and Big Data, cyber operations and synthetic training environments to fleet sustainment, environmental remediation and the largest family of unmanned underwater vehicles in every class. Find the role that's right for you. Apply today. We look forward to meeting you.
To learn more about Mission Technologies, click here for a short video: https://vimeo.com/732533072
HII is more than a job - it's an opportunity to build a new future. We offer competitive benefits such as best-in-class medical, dental and vision plan choices; wellness resources; employee assistance programs; Savings Plan Options (401(k)); financial planning tools, life insurance; employee discounts; paid holidays and paid time off; tuition reimbursement; as well as early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships. Bonus/other non-recurrent compensation is occasionally offered for qualified positions, and if applicable to this role will be addressed by the recruiter at the screening phase of application.
Why HII
We build the world's most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. Our workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America's top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people's safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you'll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #3 for HII Mission Technologies.