Freelance Mern Stack Developer Jobs in Washington

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.
The Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland, College Park, is seeking qualified candidates with expertise in applied machine learning (ML) application development to build, deploy, and sustain end-to-end ML capabilities in support of U.S. national security missions. Ideal candidates will demonstrate experience translating technical problems into robust ML solutions-spanning data selection and preparation, model development, evaluation, and delivery of models into operational workflows-with a preference for candidates with experience applying natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision methods and tools.
Candidates should have a foundational understanding of machine learning methods and practical familiarity with common ML libraries and frameworks (e.g., PyTorch/torch, scikit-learn, SciPy), along with experience deploying and maintaining ML systems using modern engineering practices such as CI/CD, workflow orchestration, and monitoring. Successful applicants will also be comfortable collaborating on interdisciplinary teams and communicating complex technical work through technical deliverables and briefings for government stakeholders.
Successful candidates will contribute to a portfolio of government-sponsored projects addressing emerging challenges in areas such as decision support, information processing, human-machine teaming, and operational analytics, with particular emphasis on delivering ML capabilities that are reliable, testable, and maintainable. Work may include rapid prototyping as well as production-oriented engineering to transition research into usable tools, including interactive applications that enable end users to apply ML models in real-world contexts. Final appointment title and responsibilities will be based on qualifications and matched to programmatic needs.
Roles and Responsibilities
Roles and Responsibilities will vary by project and candidate expertise and may include:
• Building end-to-end ML systems from technical problem formulation through training data selection/curation, modeling, evaluation, and delivery of ML models into usable tools and workflows, preferably with a focus on natural language programming and computer vision methods and tools
• Applying core ML theory and methods in practice, including selecting appropriate approaches, implementing baselines, conducting error analysis, and iterating on model performance using common libraries and frameworks (e.g., PyTorch/torch, scikit-learn, SciPy)
• Deploying and maintaining ML systems in development and operational environments, including git-based CI/CD, workflow orchestration, model packaging and Docker-based deployment, and monitoring for system health, data quality, and model performance over time
• Developing interactive ML-enabled applications for end users, including front-end development using FastAPI + React (including Vite) and/or MERN/PERN stacks to deliver intuitive user experiences powered by ML models
• Supporting proof-of-concept back-end development and requirements generation, including prototyping data stores and retrieval patterns and translating findings into clear requirements for a back-end engineering team (e.g., using Postgres (including pgvector), MongoDB, and/or ElasticSearch)
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams including researchers, engineers, domain experts, and analysts to integrate ML capabilities into broader systems and mission workflows
• Preparing technical deliverables and briefings for government stakeholders, translating complex technical work into clear, decision-relevant products (e.g., reports, slide briefings, memos, and research summaries)
• Contributing to research proposals and technical work plans, including scoping technical approaches, estimating effort, identifying risks, and supporting sponsor engagement as needed
Must be able to obtain a U.S. security clearance. If selected, you 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 the U.S. Government, prior to commencing employment.
Qualifications
ARLIS is hiring at all levels in two complementary tracks: Research Specialist and Research Engineer.
Research Specialist Qualifications:
Entry Level:
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Data Science, or related discipline, plus relevant experience.
• ~2 years of demonstrated experience in organizing and managing projects through volunteer, extracurricular, or work activities
• Demonstrated potential for excellence in the execution, administration, and/or management of research or academic programs
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary opportunity team in a matrixed organization with a collaborative and team-centric culture
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent analytical and deep-dive skills
Mid-Level:
• Master's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Data Science, or related discipline, plus relevant experience and 3+ years of experience in a technical role or project management position for defense or intelligence R&D programs with experience in technology assessment, systems design, system analysis, executing on multiple technical programs with scheduled deliverables, and communicating and interfacing with government customers; or Bachelor's Degree and 5+ years of relevant experience in a role of equivalent responsibility
• Superior ability to deliver excellence in the execution, administration, and/or management of research or academic programs
• Interact with U.S. government sponsors, customers, and stakeholders
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary opportunity capture team in a matrixed organization with a collaborative and team-centric culture
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent analytical and deep-dive skills
Senior-Level:
• Master's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Data Science, or related discipline, plus relevant experience and 7+ years of experience in a technical role or project management position for defense or intelligence R&D programs with experience in technology assessment, systems design, system analysis, executing on multiple technical programs with scheduled deliverables, and communicating and interfacing with government customers; or Bachelor's Degree and 10+ years of relevant experience in a role of equivalent responsibility
• Superior ability to deliver excellence in the execution, administration, and/or management of research or academic programs
• Knowledge of DoD appropriations and requirements processes
• Lead engagements with U.S. government sponsors, customers, and stakeholders
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary opportunity capture team in a matrixed organization with a collaborative and team-centric culture
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent analytical and deep-dive skills
Research Engineer Qualifications:
Assistant Research Engineer:
• PhD plus 5 years of research experience in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Data Science, or related discipline; including success leading research projects and a record of engineering achievement and show promise of continued productivity
Ability to:
• Initiate new projects with long-term research goals, tackling more complex problems than an Assistant Research Engineer, leading work on multiple, concurrent projects, and managing cross-functional engineering teams
• Serve as Principal Investigator or having primary responsibility for a significant part of a project
• Interact with U.S. government sponsors, customers, and stakeholders
• Expected to identify funding opportunities and serve as Principal Investigator on large proposals
• Mentor junior staff and Professional Track Faculty Specialists and participating in their promotion sub-committees
Associate Research Engineer:
• PhD plus 5 years of PhD-level research experience, including success capturing and leading large projects and a record of significant engineering achievement and show promise of continued productivity
• Recognized as an authoritative subject matter expert and receive commensurate recognition
Ability to:
• Initiate new projects with long-term research goals, tackling more complex problems than an Assistant Research Engineer, leading work on multiple, concurrent projects, and managing cross-functional engineering teams
• Serve as Principal Investigator or having primary responsibility for a significant part of a project
• Interact with U.S. government sponsors, customers, and stakeholders
• Identify funding opportunities and serve as Principal Investigator on large proposals
• Mentor junior staff and Professional Track Faculty Specialists and participating in their promotion sub-committees
Full Research Engineer:
• Ph.D. with at least 10 years of PhD-level research experience, including success capturing and leading large projects and a record of significant engineering achievement and show promise of continued productivity
• Established reputation for outstanding engineering practice, design, and development and viewed nationally as an authoritative subject matter expert
Proven Ability to:
• Tackle problems of considerable scope and complexity with currently non-existent solutions requiring unconventional, novel approaches and sophisticated research techniques.
• Pursue funding opportunities and serve as Principal Investigator or have primary responsibility for a significant part of a multi-investigator project
• Lead the design and implementation of large projects with many components (subcontractors, teams, etc.).
• Lead engagements with U.S. government sponsors, customers, and stakeholders
• Build and execute new research programs
• Hold leadership positions within ARLIS, on campus, or professional committees
• Mentor junior staff and Professional Track Faculty Specialists and participating in their promotion sub-committees
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:
• Active TS/SCI
Licenses/ Certifications: N/A
Minimum Qualifications
The appointee shall hold a Bachelor's degree in a relevant area and show potential for excellence in the administration and/or management of academic or research programs. Faculty Specialists are expected to engage in activities such as developing curriculum and/or innovative means for delivering curriculum, supervising the non-research activities of graduate or post-doctoral students, serving as grant writers or authors of other publications for an academic or research program, conducting specialized research duties or other such duties that would generate intellectual property to which the faculty member shall retain the rights. Appointments to this rank are typically one to three years and are renewable.
Additional Job Details
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, List of References
Best Consideration Date: N/A
Posting Close Date: 11/30/26
Open Until Filled: Yes
Department
VPR-Applied Research Lab for Intelligence & Security
Worker Sub-Type
Faculty Regular
Salary Range
$49,072 - $252,288
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 Empl