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Machine Learning Researcher Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

10a Labs

Machine Learning Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$130K - $200K/yr

What We're Looking For * 3-5+ years of experience in machine learning, research engineering, or a related technical field. * Strong Python skills and experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch or ...

Elder Research

Machine Learning Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Machine Learning Engineer General Information Requisition #728 Locations USA-VA-Chantilly Posting ... Support program with R&D and customer-facing goals, to speed the transition of novel applied ...

Elder Research

Machine Learning Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Machine Learning Engineer General Information Requisition #728 Locations USA-VA-Chantilly Posting ... Support program with R&D and customer-facing goals, to speed the transition of novel applied ...

Elder Research

Machine Learning Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Machine Learning Engineer General Information Requisition #728 Locations USA-VA-Chantilly Posting ... Support program with R&D and customer-facing goals, to speed the transition of novel applied ...

Elder Research

Machine Learning Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Machine Learning Engineer General Information Requisition #728 Locations USA-VA-Chantilly Posting ... Support program with R&D and customer-facing goals, to speed the transition of novel applied ...

Elder Research

Machine Learning Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Machine Learning Engineer General Information Requisition #728 Locations USA-VA-Chantilly Posting ... Support program with R&D and customer-facing goals, to speed the transition of novel applied ...

Kitware

Machine Learning Engineer

Arlington, VA · Hybrid

$110K - $160K/yr

Kitware is a leader in advanced research and algorithm development in artificial intelligence (AI ... Machine learning experience using visual data * Understanding of a variety of machine learning ...

Kitware

Machine Learning Engineer

Arlington, VA · Hybrid

$110K - $160K/yr

Kitware is a leader in advanced research and algorithm development in artificial intelligence (AI ... Machine learning experience using visual data * Understanding of a variety of machine learning ...

Kitware

Machine Learning Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$110K - $160K/yr

Kitware is a leader in advanced research and algorithm development in artificial intelligence (AI ... Machine learning experience using visual data * Understanding of a variety of machine learning ...

10a Labs

Machine Learning Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$130K - $200K/yr

What We're Looking For * 3-5+ years of experience in machine learning, research engineering, or a related technical field. * Strong Python skills and experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch or ...

Cymertek Corporation

Machine Learning Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$110 - $170/hr

Machine Learning Engineer LOCATION Reston, VA 20190 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this ... Engineer, Research Scientist, Data Engineer, NLP Engineer, Computer Vision Engineer, AI/ML ...

Cymertek

Machine Learning Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Machine Learning Engineer LOCATION Chantilly, VA 20151 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this ... Engineer, Research Scientist, Data Engineer, NLP Engineer, Computer Vision Engineer, AI/ML ...

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All JobsMachine Learning Researcher JobsMachine Learning Researcher Jobs in Washington

Machine Learning Researcher information

See Washington salary details

$34K

$128.1K

$186.3K

How much do machine learning researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for machine learning researcher in Washington is $128,099.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,900.00 and $174,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a machine learning researcher do?

A Machine Learning Researcher designs, develops, and tests algorithms and models that allow computers to learn from and make decisions based on data. They often work on advancing the field by exploring new methods, improving existing algorithms, and publishing their findings. These researchers collaborate with engineers and data scientists to apply their research to practical problems in areas like computer vision, natural language processing, and robotics. Their work typically involves a combination of mathematics, statistics, programming, and experimentation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a machine learning researcher?

To thrive as a Machine Learning Researcher, you need deep expertise in mathematics, statistics, programming (typically Python), and a strong academic background in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch and experience with tools for data analysis and model development are standard, often supported by advanced degrees or relevant certifications. Critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication are vital soft skills for developing novel solutions and collaborating across interdisciplinary teams. These skills enable researchers to design innovative algorithms, validate models rigorously, and contribute impactful advancements in the field.

What are some common challenges machine learning researchers face when transitioning from academic research to industry roles?

Machine Learning Researchers often find that transitioning to industry involves adapting to faster project timelines, collaborative workflows, and a focus on scalable, real-world solutions rather than theoretical advances alone. In industry, you'll likely work closely with cross-functional teams, such as software engineers and product managers, to ensure models are both practical and maintainable. Balancing innovation with business objectives, handling production constraints, and communicating complex findings to non-technical stakeholders are some of the key challenges you may encounter.

What is the difference between Machine Learning Researcher vs Data Scientist?

AspectMachine Learning ResearcherData Scientist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees in CS, ML, or related fields; research experienceDegree in CS, statistics, or related; strong analytical skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsBusiness environments, tech companies, consulting
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutions, tech firmsCorporations, startups, finance, healthcare
Common Search & ComparisonFocus on theoretical ML advancementsFocus on data analysis & business insights

While both roles involve working with data and algorithms, Machine Learning Researchers primarily focus on developing new algorithms and advancing ML theory, often in research or academic settings. Data Scientists apply these techniques to analyze data, generate insights, and support business decisions in industry environments.

What are popular job titles related to Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Washington?

For Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Washington are:

Machine Learning Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Machine Learning Researcher job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,099 per year, or $61.6 per hour.

Machine Learning Engineer

10a Labs

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$130K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to design, build, and evaluate advanced machine learning systems across AI safety and model evaluation applications.

This role combines strong ML engineering with an experimental mindset. You will work on problems involving reinforcement learning, model evaluations, language models, multimodal systems, and classifiers, taking ambiguous technical questions and turning them into rigorous experiments and scalable systems.

You will collaborate closely with engineers, analysts, red teamers, and subject-matter experts supporting leading AI organizations.

What You'll Do
  • Design and run ML experiments to evaluate the capabilities, behavior, robustness, and limitations of advanced AI systems.
  • Develop and evaluate models across reinforcement learning, NLP/LLMs, computer vision, and multimodal ML.
  • Build evaluation pipelines, benchmarks, datasets, and metrics for frontier AI systems.
  • Train, fine-tune, and evaluate models for safety, security, and other high-impact applications.
  • Develop reliable tooling and infrastructure to run ML experiments and evaluations at scale.
  • Analyze results, identify model failure modes, and translate findings into new experiments and technical approaches.
What We're Looking For
  • 3-5+ years of experience in machine learning, research engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Strong Python skills and experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch or JAX.
  • Hands-on experience training, fine-tuning, or evaluating modern ML models.
  • Strong understanding of experimental design, model evaluation, and quantitative analysis.
  • Familiarity with agentic AI fundamentals, including common harnesses, Model Context Protocol, agent benchmarks, and security risks to AI agents.
  • Experience in one or more of the following: reinforcement learning, NLP/LLMs, computer vision, or multimodal ML.
  • Strong software engineering fundamentals and the ability to work independently on ambiguous technical problems.
Nice to Have
  • Experience with RLHF/RLAIF, reward modeling, policy optimization, or other model post-training techniques.
  • Experience evaluating frontier language or multimodal models.
  • Experience with adversarial evaluations, robustness testing, or AI safety.
  • Experience with distributed training, cloud ML infrastructure, or large-scale ML systems.

We don't expect candidates to have experience across every area above. We value deep ML expertise, strong experimental instincts, and the ability to quickly learn new techniques.

Compensation & Benefits
  • Salary Range: $130K-$200K, depending on experience and location
  • Bonus: Performance-based annual bonus
  • Professional Development: Support for conferences, continuing education, or leadership training
  • Work Environment: Fully remote, U.S.-based
  • Health Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
  • Time Off: Generous PTO and paid holiday schedule

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