Machine Learning Operations Engineer

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.

ARLIS is seeking a mid-level MLOps Engineer to support the deployment, scaling, and operationalization of machine learning systems for national security applications. This role focuses on bridging research and production by enabling robust, secure, and reproducible ML pipelines in mission-critical environments. The successful candidate will work closely with AI researchers, software engineers, and domain experts to transition advanced algorithms into operational capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:
-Design, build, and maintain scalable ML pipelines for training, evaluation, and deployment.
-Operationalize machine learning models in secure, production-grade environments (on-prem, cloud, hybrid).
-Implement CI/CD workflows for ML systems, including automated testing, validation, and monitoring.
-Manage data pipelines, feature stores, and model versioning to ensure reproducibility and auditability.
-Monitor model performance, drift, and system health; implement feedback loops and retraining strategies.
-Collaborate with researchers to translate experimental models into production-ready systems.
-Integrate security best practices into ML workflows (DevSecOps for AI systems).
-Support deployment of ML systems in constrained or classified environments.
-Contribute to infrastructure design supporting AI/ML workloads (GPU clusters, distributed systems).

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.


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.

Minimum Qualifications:
-Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related field.
-3–6 years of experience in software engineering, data engineering, or MLOps.
-Experience with ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) and pipeline tools (e.g., Airflow, Kubeflow).
-Proficiency in Python and experience with containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
-Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and ML services.
-Understanding of software engineering best practices (CI/CD, testing, version control).

Preferences:
-Experience deploying ML systems in regulated or security-sensitive environments.
-Familiarity with data governance, model auditing, and explainability techniques.
-Experience with distributed training, GPU acceleration, and large-scale data systems.
-Knowledge of infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, CloudFormation).
-Experience supporting national security, defense, or intelligence-related programs.
-Active U.S. security clearance.

Work Environment & Impact:
-Work on cutting-edge AI/ML systems addressing real-world national security challenges.
-Collaborate with leading experts across disciplines in a highly innovative R&D environment.
-Help transition advanced research into operational capabilities with tangible mission impact.

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

Additional Job Details

Financial Disclosure Required

No

Department

VPR-Applied Research Lab for Intelligence & Security

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Regular

Salary Range

$150,000 - $225.000

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 Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

Resources

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