• Senior Staff Engineer Machine Learning

    General Atomics (Poway, CA)


    General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.

     

    We are looking for an experienced Machine Learning Systems Engineer to join our team in Poway, CA. This person will lead a team in system development will bring prior expertise in Data and Machine Learning automation to help scale data-driven airborne sensing systems. The ideal candidate must have a wide breadth of engineering knowledge to support writing target detection algorithms for programs such as Air to Ground and Air to Air Radar, Broadband RF, Electronic Intelligence, Electronic Attack and Anti-Submarine Warfare.

     

    Join our Perception & Sensor Fusion group to help build and refine the Dynamic Environment Model (DEM) powering multi-sensor understanding and autonomous decision-making.

     

    You will develop ML models that extract features, infer dynamics, support multi-sensor association, and enhance our probabilistic world model. Your work bridges raw sensing and high-confidence fused tracks — advancing perception, prediction, and environment representation for real-world autonomous systems.

    DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

    + With limited direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the review, research, design, development, and/or solution to advanced technical engineering problem (s).

    + Modeling & Algorithm Development

    + Develop and train ML models for:

    + Multi-sensor perception (Radar / EO-IR / ESM inputs)

    + Detection, segmentation, and spatiotemporal occupancy inference

    + Feature extraction and learned embeddings to support tracking + association

    + Uncertainty-aware prediction and motion estimation

    + Explore and integrate modern world-modeling techniques:

    + Learned occupancy networks / BEV encoders

    + Neural fields, flow-based motion models, volumetric prediction

    + ML-aided fusion (e.g., learned association probabilities)

    + Support tracking engineers by improving sensor feature fusion, classification confidence, and track priors

    + Infrastructure & Deployment

    + Build robust training + replay datasets from real sensor missions

    + Implement evaluation frameworks for multi-modal fusion performance

    + Deploy trained models into real-time C++/GPU perception pipelines (with support from systems team)

    + Validate models in simulation and flight test environments

    + Cross-functional Collaboration

    + Work closely with:

    + Perception Systems engineers (DEM & fusion infrastructure)

    + Tracking & state estimation engineers

    + Autonomy team using DEM outputs

    + Sensor teams to understand real signal behavior, noise, and uncertainty

    + Contribute to sim-to-real transfer strategy and rapid iteration loop

     

    We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

     

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    Job Qualifications:

    + Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in computer science, engineering, mathematics or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive machine learning experience as follows; fourteen or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, twelve or more years of experience with a masters degree, or nine or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent machine learning experience in lieu of education.

    + 3+ years building ML systems for perception or spatiotemporal data

    + Proficiency in Python + PyTorch or TensorFlow

    + Experience in one or more:

    + 3D deep learning, BEV networks, voxel/occupancy models

    + Multi-sensor perception (camera, radar, IR, RF preferable but not required)

    + Sequence / motion models (RNN/Transformers/flow fields)

    + Uncertainty modeling & calibration

    + Experience building datasets + training pipelines

    + Preferred

    + Familiarity with:

    + Tracking algorithms (JPDA, IMM-EKF/UKF, PHD/RFS)

    + Radar signal characteristics or EO/IR processing

    + CUDA / Triton / TensorRT (bonus, not required)

    + Spatiotemporal world models (NeRF, occupancy grids, neural mapping)

    + Work in autonomous systems, robotics, or defense perception domains

    + Ability to obtain and maintain a DOD security clearance is required.

    **Salary:** $140,940 - $252,293 **Travel Percentage Required** 0 - 25 **Relocation Assistance Provided** Provided **US Citizenship Required?** Yes **Clearance Required?** Desired **Clearance Level** Senior (8+ years) **Workstyle** Hybrid

     

    General Atomics is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. EEO is the law. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. To learn more visit https://tbcdn.talentbrew.com/company/499/v2_0/EEO Notices.pdf. U.S. Citizenship is required for certain positions.