You will be joining a varied team of engineers, software developers, statisticians, data scientists ... or reinforcement learning problems in research or real-world settings, with an understanding of ...
You will be joining a varied team of engineers, software developers, statisticians, data scientists ... or reinforcement learning problems in research or real-world settings, with an understanding of ...
... relevant engineering fields (i.e., electrical, computer, systems, software) with six plus (6+) ... reinforcement learning, and/or generative models. • Two (2) years of experience in the ...
... relevant engineering fields (i.e., electrical, computer, systems, software) with six plus (6+) ... reinforcement learning, and/or generative models. • Two (2) years of experience in the ...
Apply reinforcement learning techniques to AI/ML solutions * Develop and optimize machine learning ... Apply prompt engineering and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) techniques * Develop agentic AI ...
Quick apply
Apply reinforcement learning techniques to AI/ML solutions * Develop and optimize machine learning ... Apply prompt engineering and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) techniques * Develop agentic AI ...
Data Scientist, Level 3
Annapolis, MD · On-site
Apply reinforcement learning techniques to AI/ML solutions * Develop and optimize machine learning ... Apply prompt engineering and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) techniques * Develop agentic AI ...
Data Scientist, Level 3
Annapolis, MD · On-site
Apply reinforcement learning techniques to AI/ML solutions * Develop and optimize machine learning ... Apply prompt engineering and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) techniques * Develop agentic AI ...
Research Engineer - Post-Training & Small Language Models (SLMs), Healthcare AI
Baltimore, MD · On-site
Research Engineer - Post-Training & Small Language Models (SLMs), Healthcare AI Three hundred fifty ... reinforcement learning / alignment workflows. Build and optimize training using techniques such as ...
Research Engineer - Post-Training & Small Language Models (SLMs), Healthcare AI
Baltimore, MD · On-site
Research Engineer - Post-Training & Small Language Models (SLMs), Healthcare AI Three hundred fifty ... reinforcement learning / alignment workflows. Build and optimize training using techniques such as ...
Bachelors' degree in computer science, applied physics, materials science or relevant engineering ... Two (2) years of experience with deep learning, natural language processing, reinforcement learning ...
Bachelors' degree in computer science, applied physics, materials science or relevant engineering ... Two (2) years of experience with deep learning, natural language processing, reinforcement learning ...
Lead Adversarial AI Engineer with Security Clearance
Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site
$112K - $148K/yr
We're a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in ... reinforcement learning, computer vision, generative AI * Hands-on experience with one or more of ...
Lead Adversarial AI Engineer with Security Clearance
Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site
$112K - $148K/yr
We're a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in ... reinforcement learning, computer vision, generative AI * Hands-on experience with one or more of ...
NIST PREP Research Scientist in Performance Evaluation of AI Capabilities in Autonomous and Human-Ro
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$102K - $105K/yr
Utilizing deep learning, large language models (LLMs), reinforcement learning, and unsupervised ... Programming, simulating, and validating physical and simulated autonomous systems using a variety ...
NIST PREP Research Scientist in Performance Evaluation of AI Capabilities in Autonomous and Human-Ro
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$102K - $105K/yr
Utilizing deep learning, large language models (LLMs), reinforcement learning, and unsupervised ... Programming, simulating, and validating physical and simulated autonomous systems using a variety ...
... relevant engineering fields (i.e., electrical, computer, systems, software) with six plus (6+) ... reinforcement learning, and/or generative models. • Two (2) years of experience in the ...
... relevant engineering fields (i.e., electrical, computer, systems, software) with six plus (6+) ... reinforcement learning, and/or generative models. • Two (2) years of experience in the ...
Lead Data Scientist
Suitland, MD · On-site
$150/hr
... learning, reinforcement learning, anomaly detection, and time series analysis * Design and support event-driven analytics and real-time/streaming ML pipelines * Collaborate with data engineers ...
Lead Data Scientist
Suitland, MD · On-site
$150/hr
... learning, reinforcement learning, anomaly detection, and time series analysis * Design and support event-driven analytics and real-time/streaming ML pipelines * Collaborate with data engineers ...
Lead Data Scientist
Suitland, MD · On-site
... reinforcement learning frameworks * Conduct data cleaning, filtering, transformation, and feature engineering to create machine-learning-ready datasets * Create, maintain, and use synthetic data to ...
Lead Data Scientist
Suitland, MD · On-site
... reinforcement learning frameworks * Conduct data cleaning, filtering, transformation, and feature engineering to create machine-learning-ready datasets * Create, maintain, and use synthetic data to ...
Lead Data Scientist
Suitland, MD · On-site
... reinforcement learning frameworks * Conduct data cleaning, filtering, transformation, and feature engineering to create machine-learning-ready datasets * Create, maintain, and use synthetic data to ...
Lead Data Scientist
Suitland, MD · On-site
... reinforcement learning frameworks * Conduct data cleaning, filtering, transformation, and feature engineering to create machine-learning-ready datasets * Create, maintain, and use synthetic data to ...
... reinforcement learning frameworks * Conduct data cleaning, filtering, transformation, and feature engineering to create machine-learning-ready datasets * Create, maintain, and use synthetic data to ...
... reinforcement learning frameworks * Conduct data cleaning, filtering, transformation, and feature engineering to create machine-learning-ready datasets * Create, maintain, and use synthetic data to ...
Lead Data Scientist
Suitland, MD · On-site
... reinforcement learning frameworks * Conduct data cleaning, filtering, transformation, and feature engineering to create machine-learning-ready datasets * Create, maintain, and use synthetic data to ...
Quick apply
Lead Data Scientist
Suitland, MD · On-site
... reinforcement learning frameworks * Conduct data cleaning, filtering, transformation, and feature engineering to create machine-learning-ready datasets * Create, maintain, and use synthetic data to ...
Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004857)
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$53K - $72K/yr
Utilizing deep learning, large language models (LLMs), reinforcement learning, and unsupervised ... Programming, simulating, and validating physical and simulated autonomous systems using a variety ...
Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004857)
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$53K - $72K/yr
Utilizing deep learning, large language models (LLMs), reinforcement learning, and unsupervised ... Programming, simulating, and validating physical and simulated autonomous systems using a variety ...
Apply reinforcement learning techniques to AI/ML solutions * Develop and optimize machine learning ... Apply prompt engineering and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) techniques * Develop agentic AI ...
Apply reinforcement learning techniques to AI/ML solutions * Develop and optimize machine learning ... Apply prompt engineering and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) techniques * Develop agentic AI ...
Principal Research Scientist - Autonomous Systems
Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site
$146K - $234K/yr
... reinforcement learning, social media disinformation and influence campaigns, and so on. A strong ... feature engineering and modeling, development of deep neural networks with modern tools, such as ...
Principal Research Scientist - Autonomous Systems
Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site
$146K - $234K/yr
... reinforcement learning, social media disinformation and influence campaigns, and so on. A strong ... feature engineering and modeling, development of deep neural networks with modern tools, such as ...
Principal Research Scientist - Autonomous Systems
Silver Spring, MD · On-site
$146K - $234K/yr
... reinforcement learning, social media disinformation and influence campaigns, and so on. A strong ... feature engineering and modeling, development of deep neural networks with modern tools, such as ...
Principal Research Scientist - Autonomous Systems
Silver Spring, MD · On-site
$146K - $234K/yr
... reinforcement learning, social media disinformation and influence campaigns, and so on. A strong ... feature engineering and modeling, development of deep neural networks with modern tools, such as ...
Principal Research Scientist - Autonomous Systems
Silver Spring, MD · On-site
$146K - $234K/yr
... reinforcement learning, social media disinformation and influence campaigns, and so on. A strong ... feature engineering and modeling, development of deep neural networks with modern tools, such as ...
Principal Research Scientist - Autonomous Systems
Silver Spring, MD · On-site
$146K - $234K/yr
... reinforcement learning, social media disinformation and influence campaigns, and so on. A strong ... feature engineering and modeling, development of deep neural networks with modern tools, such as ...
Principal Research Scientist - Autonomous Systems
Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site
$146K - $234K/yr
... reinforcement learning, social media disinformation and influence campaigns, and so on. A strong ... feature engineering and modeling, development of deep neural networks with modern tools, such as ...
Principal Research Scientist - Autonomous Systems
Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site
$146K - $234K/yr
... reinforcement learning, social media disinformation and influence campaigns, and so on. A strong ... feature engineering and modeling, development of deep neural networks with modern tools, such as ...
Reinforcement Learning Engineer information
See Maryland salary details
$36.9K - $50.4K
5% of jobs
$50.4K - $64K
7% of jobs
$64K - $77.5K
9% of jobs
$80.4K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$77.5K - $91.1K
14% of jobs
The median wage is $103.2K / yr.
$91.1K - $104.6K
16% of jobs
$104.6K - $118.1K
13% of jobs
$118.1K - $131.7K
6% of jobs
$138.9K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$131.7K - $145.2K
8% of jobs
$145.2K - $158.8K
8% of jobs
$158.8K - $172.3K
7% of jobs
$172.3K - $185.9K
5% of jobs
$36.9K
$112.5K
$185.9K
How much do reinforcement learning engineer jobs pay per year?
As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for reinforcement learning engineer in Maryland is $112,451.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,600.00 and $147,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What is a reinforcement learning engineer?
Reinforcement Learning Engineers are specialized professionals who design, develop, and implement algorithms based on reinforcement learning, a type of machine learning where agents learn to make decisions by receiving rewards or penalties. They work on building models that enable machines to learn optimal actions through trial and error in complex environments. Their responsibilities often include developing RL architectures, tuning hyperparameters, running simulations, and applying RL methods to real-world problems like robotics, gaming, or recommendation systems. RL Engineers typically have strong backgrounds in computer science, mathematics, and deep learning, along with experience in programming languages like Python and frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
What are some common challenges faced by reinforcement learning engineers when deploying models in real-world environments?
One of the main challenges Reinforcement Learning (RL) Engineers face is bridging the gap between simulation and real-world deployment. Models that perform well in controlled environments may struggle with unpredictable data, safety constraints, or limited feedback in production. Additionally, RL algorithms often require significant computational resources and careful tuning to avoid instability. Collaboration with domain experts and software engineers is essential to address these issues and ensure successful integration of RL solutions into existing systems.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a reinforcement learning engineer, and why are they important?
To thrive as a Reinforcement Learning Engineer, you need a strong background in machine learning, mathematics (especially probability and statistics), and programming languages like Python, often supported by a relevant degree in computer science or engineering. Familiarity with deep learning frameworks (such as TensorFlow or PyTorch), RL libraries (like OpenAI Gym), and cloud computing platforms is typically required. Problem-solving skills, creativity, and effective collaboration help set outstanding engineers apart in this field. These competencies enable the design and deployment of advanced RL solutions that address real-world challenges and drive innovation.
What is the difference between Reinforcement Learning Engineer vs Machine Learning Engineer?
| Aspect | Reinforcement Learning Engineer | Machine Learning Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Bachelor's/Master's in CS, AI, or related; experience with RL frameworks | Bachelor's/Master's in CS, Data Science, or related; experience with ML algorithms |
| Work Environment | Research labs, AI startups, tech companies focusing on RL applications | Tech companies, data-driven firms, AI departments across industries |
| Industry Usage | Specialized in RL projects like robotics, game AI, autonomous systems | Broader applications including predictive modeling, NLP, computer vision |
Reinforcement Learning Engineers focus on developing algorithms that learn through interactions with environments, often in robotics or gaming. Machine Learning Engineers work on a wider range of models and applications. While both roles require strong programming and math skills, RL Engineers specialize in sequential decision-making, whereas ML Engineers handle diverse data-driven tasks across industries.
What are popular job titles related to Reinforcement Learning Engineer jobs in Maryland?
For Reinforcement Learning Engineer jobs in Maryland, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Reinforcement Learning Engineer jobs in Maryland look for?
The top searched job categories for Reinforcement Learning Engineer jobs in Maryland are:
- Physics Informed Machine Learning
- Senior Deep Learning Research
- Patterned Learning Ai
- Ai Machine Learning Engineer
- Learning Disability
- Aws Machine Learning
- Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineer
- Contractual Machine Learning Government
- Weekend Machine Learning
- Freelance Machine Learning Compiler Engineer
What cities in Maryland are hiring for Reinforcement Learning Engineer jobs?
Cities in Maryland with the most Reinforcement Learning Engineer job openings:
2026 PhD Graduate - Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Laurel, MD • On-site
Full-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO
Re-posted 20 days ago
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating
9.6
Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
2nd of 74 rated research
Job description
Description
Do you enjoy exploring and analyzing data to find data-driven solution to complex problems?
Do you want to contribute to work that is crucial to maintaining our national security and strength?
Are you continuously searching for new ways to grow your knowledge and improve your skills?
If you are graduating with a PhD in Statistics, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field, we would love to have you join our team! We are seeking a new PhD graduate with expertise in machine learning to support multi-disciplinary teams performing a variety of quantitative tasks for defense and national security applications. You will be joining a varied team of engineers, software developers, statisticians, data scientists, and analysts who are committed to advancing the state-of-the-art in performance evaluation of the nation's strategic weapons systems throughout their lifecycle. We believe in continually growing our capabilities and cultivating a work environment that embraces innovation, integrity, trust, and teamwork.
As a member of our team, you will...
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
You will go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$105,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually
Do you enjoy exploring and analyzing data to find data-driven solution to complex problems?
Do you want to contribute to work that is crucial to maintaining our national security and strength?
Are you continuously searching for new ways to grow your knowledge and improve your skills?
If you are graduating with a PhD in Statistics, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field, we would love to have you join our team! We are seeking a new PhD graduate with expertise in machine learning to support multi-disciplinary teams performing a variety of quantitative tasks for defense and national security applications. You will be joining a varied team of engineers, software developers, statisticians, data scientists, and analysts who are committed to advancing the state-of-the-art in performance evaluation of the nation's strategic weapons systems throughout their lifecycle. We believe in continually growing our capabilities and cultivating a work environment that embraces innovation, integrity, trust, and teamwork.
As a member of our team, you will...
- Work with multi-disciplinary teams to support development of data collection, processing, and analysis efforts to assess the performance of a number of systems supporting the Navy and Air Force.
- Contribute to the full research and development lifecycle for emerging problems. This includes model and algorithm selection, experimentation, analysis, and presentation of results.
- Apply appropriate statistical and machine learning expertise towards selecting modeling approaches for complex, real-world data.
- Use internal funding opportunities to shape the direction of future research.
- Communicate technical knowledge by articulating ideas clearly through papers and presentations to technical staff, management, and government decision makers.
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
- Have a PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or a related field.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and on a team.
- Have a solid understanding of the mathematical foundations of ML, including probability, statistics, and linear algebra.
- Have experience using modern AI/ML libraries or frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar), with including adapting or extending methods for domain-specific problems.
- Demonstrate experience selecting appropriate modeling techniques for supervised, unsupervised, or reinforcement learning problems in research or real-world settings, with an understanding of when and why they are appropriate.
- Are able to obtain Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Top Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
You will go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
- Have experience in project management or leading technical teams.
- Have experience in writing technical proposals, particularly for government research projects.
- Have experience mentoring students, teaching, or communicating complex technical concepts in academic, research, or professional settings.
- Have experience applying machine learning methods to scientific, engineering, or data analysis problems, including areas such as computer vision, NLP, time-series analysis, or scientific machine learning.
- Have contributed to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, or presentations in statistics, machine learning, applied mathematics, or related fields.
- Have experience understanding, developing, or adapting modern AI models and workflows, including large language models, for quantitative analysis and decision support.
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$105,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually
What Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory employees say
Pay
Hours and flexibility
Workplace
Get the full story on Breakroom
About Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Manufacturing
Company size
5,001 - 10,000 Employees
Headquarters location
Laurel, MA, US