Machine Learning Engineer III – Computer Vision & Data Systems

At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.

We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.

We are seeking a Machine Learning Engineer to build production-grade computer vision pipelines and manage end-to-end ML data infrastructure for autonomous aerial systems. You will own the full lifecycle from data curation through model deployment on edge hardware. 

Responsibilities: 

ML Model Development & Deployment 

• Design, train, and optimize object detection and tracking models (YOLO, RT-DETR, ViT) for aerial platforms 

• Deploy models on NVIDIA Jetson hardware using TensorRT, achieving real-time inference 

• Integrate vision models into ROS2 autonomy stacks with efficient message passing and synchronized sensor data 

• Profile and optimize model performance to meet compute, power, and latency constraints on embedded systems 

Data Infrastructure & MLOps 

• Build and maintain data pipelines for ingestion, labeling, versioning, and quality control of large-scale aerial imagery datasets 

• Design active learning loops and data selection strategies to maximize model performance with minimal labeling effort 

• Implement automated model evaluation frameworks and performance monitoring for deployed systems 

• Create synthetic data generation pipelines and data augmentation strategies to improve model robustness 

System Integration 

• Develop ROS2 nodes for real-time sensor processing, model inference, and downstream autonomy integration 

• Work with GStreamer and Jetson multimedia APIs for efficient camera pipeline management 

• Collaborate with perception and autonomy teams to ensure vision outputs meet system requirements 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Robotics, or related field (Master's preferred) – equivalent industry experience also welcome 

• 4-6+ years of experience in machine learning with focus on computer vision applications 

• Strong proficiency in PyTorch and modern deep learning frameworks 

• Hands-on experience deploying models on NVIDIA Jetson platforms (Orin, Xavier, or similar) 

• Solid understanding of model optimization techniques: quantization, pruning, TensorRT, ONNX 

• Experience with ROS2 for robotics applications, including sensor integration and message handling 

• Proven track record building and managing ML data pipelines and infrastructure 

• Strong Python skills with experience in data processing libraries (NumPy, Pandas, OpenCV) 

• Familiarity with MLOps tools and practices (versioning, experiment tracking, CI/CD for models) 

Preferred: 

• Experience with C++ for performance-critical vision processing 

• Knowledge of CUDA programming or GPU optimization 

• Familiarity with data labeling tools and annotation management systems 

• Experience with synthetic data generation or domain adaptation techniques 

• Understanding of aerial imagery characteristics and challenges 

• Background in object tracking algorithms (Kalman filters, Hungarian assignment, multi-object tracking) 

• Experience with GStreamer, Jetson BSP, or embedded Linux development 

• Knowledge of model monitoring and performance debugging in production systems 

• Familiarity with DVC, MLflow, Weights & Biases, or similar MLOps platforms 

#LI-BC1

What's in it for you:

Benefits: 

• Competitive total compensation package 
• Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
• 401k with company-match 
• 4 weeks of paid time off each year
• 12 annual company holidays

Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?

• Innovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

If you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team! 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.