Machine Learning Research Scientist Jobs in New Mexico

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

This position will be filled at either the Scientist 2 or Scientist 3 level, depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate. Additional responsibilities will be assigned at the higher level.

The Space Remote Sensing and Data Science Group, ISR-6, at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a scientist to contribute to cutting-edge research and development in remote sensing, data science, image processing, signal processing, machine learning, and sensor data exploitation.

ISR-6 develops advanced methods and technologies for collecting, processing, analyzing, and interpreting data from space, airborne, ground-based, and laboratory remote-sensing systems. We are interested in candidates with strong technical foundations in image processing, signal processing, statistical analysis, computational modeling, scientific data analysis, or applied machine learning/AI. Experience with any specific sensing phenomenology is welcome but not required.

In this role, you will contribute to one or more of the following areas:

• Developing algorithms for processing, analyzing, and interpreting image, spectral, time-series, RF, optical, or other sensor data
• Applying statistical, mathematical, machine-learning, AI, or physics-informed methods to detection, estimation, characterization, and inference problems
• Supporting source-to-sensor modeling, including source behavior, propagation, sensor response, and measurement uncertainty
• Analyzing experimental or field-collected data and comparing results with theoretical, simulated, or modeled expectations
• Contributing to the design, characterization, calibration, and optimization of sensing systems and instruments
• Participating in laboratory, field, or deployment activities to collect and evaluate remote-sensing data
• Communicating technical results through reports, presentations, publications, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams
• Support field experiments at national and, as needed, international locations

What You Need Minimum Job Requirements

The successful candidate will have many of the following qualifications:

• Background in engineering, physics, applied mathematics, computer science, data science, or a related technical field
• Experience conducting basic or applied research, engineering development, or technical analysis relevant to sensing, imaging, signal processing, scientific computing, machine learning, or sensor data analysis
• Working knowledge of image processing, signal processing, statistical analysis, numerical methods, machine learning, or related data-analysis techniques
• Experience using scientific programming tools or languages such as Python, MATLAB, C/C++, Julia, IDL, or similar
• Demonstrated ability and enthusiasm for leveraging modern AI/agentic systems to accelerate scientific research, software development, data analysis, or engineering workflows.
• Familiarity with one or more types of sensor or measurement systems, which may include cameras, focal plane arrays, optical systems, RF systems, acoustic/vibration sensors, spectral sensors, data-acquisition systems, laboratory instrumentation, or field sensors
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Clear written and oral communication skills, including the ability to contribute to technical reports, presentations, or publications
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance, which generally requires U.S. citizenship

Additional Job Requirements for Scientist 3

In addition to the Job Requirements outlined above, qualification at the R&D Engineer 3 level requires:

• Extensive experience applying image/signal processing, statistical methods, applied math, machine learning, or scientific computing to complex problems
• Proven ability to develop, implement, or improve algorithms for sensor data analysis
• Experience handling various data types, including imagery, spectral, time-series, RF, optical, vibration, or multi-sensor data
• Familiarity with advanced areas such as Fourier analysis, estimation theory, sparse signal methods, image reconstruction, spectral analysis, sensor fusion, machine learning, anomaly detection, physics-informed ML, scalable data processing, or sensor calibration
• Ability to link physical concepts, data traits, and computational techniques for effective analysis
• Experience leading technical tasks or mentoring, coordinating teams, or contributing to proposals

Education/Experience Scientist 2

Positions requires a Bachelor' degree in a STEM field from an accredited college and university and 4 years of related experience, typically with post-doctoral research experience at a university or national lab or equivalent experience directly related to the occupation

Education/Experience Scientist 3

Position requires a Master's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 6 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

Experience in the following areas are beneficial but not required:

• Remote-sensing systems: optical, infrared, spectral, RF, acoustic, vibration, and other sensing modalities
• Machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, statistical modeling, anomaly detection, and physics-informed AI
• Large data sets, data management, data pipelines, high-performance computing, GPU-based computing
• Scientific computing and ML software ecosystems: NumPy, SciPy, scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, OpenCV, or similar
• Experimental design, laboratory measurements, field data collection, instrument characterization
• Reusable scientific software development, collaborative software environments, version control

Essential Job Functions

can perform with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Physical movement between buildings located primarily within a half-mile radius, which may include movement across uneven and/or inclined ground.
• Physical movement within large interior facility spaces and corridors, which may require travel up and down stairs.
• Direct interaction with hardware, equipment, and instruments in office and laboratory environments

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants

In addition to a resume, applicants should submit a cover letter describing their relevant experience and how their background aligns with the job requirements and desired skills. Applicants are encouraged to discuss experience in any relevant area of image processing, signal processing, scientific computing, machine learning/AI, remote sensing, sensor data analysis, or related research and development.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistanceFlexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q

Position will be cleared to this level. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position

Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants

Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.