Machine Learning Engineer

@Orchard is a growing Woman-Owned Small Business and federal prime contractor delivering science, data, technology, program management, and workforce solutions to federal agencies. The Machine Learning Engineer will develop machine learning capabilities, algorithms, software, and analytical workflows to help NOAA Ocean Exploration analyze large scientific datasets and expedition video, while collaborating with marine scientists and technical professionals to improve data review and characterization.

Responsibilities:

• Develop machine learning capabilities for evaluating large volumes of ocean exploration data and streaming video
• Design, develop, test, and refine algorithms and software that identify specific characteristics, shapes, movement, fauna, and other features within scientific data and video
• Develop computer-language subroutines, scripts, and programs that support automated or semi-automated data analysis, annotation, and characterization
• Apply appropriate machine learning and computer vision techniques to improve the efficiency and consistency of scientific data review
• Evaluate model performance and refine approaches based on scientific objectives and observed results
• Work with large scientific datasets and high-volume expedition video to identify patterns and features relevant to ocean exploration
• Collaborate with marine scientists to translate scientific questions and observation requirements into computational approaches
• Support development of tools that enable scientists to efficiently locate, annotate, classify, and characterize observations
• Assist in developing repeatable analytical workflows that can be applied to future expeditions and datasets
• Support integration of AI/ML outputs into broader scientific data analysis, annotation, and ocean exploration workflows
• Develop maintainable and reusable code supporting machine learning and data-analysis capabilities
• Document software development, algorithms, workflows, model changes, and system updates to support future corrections and enhancements
• Test and troubleshoot applications and analytical workflows to ensure reliable performance
• Recommend improvements to software, analytical methods, and machine learning workflows
• Support software corrections and updates as required
• Collaborate with marine scientists, GIS specialists, web developers, engineers, and other technical professionals
• Participate in technical discussions, scientific meetings, and project planning activities
• Translate technical machine learning concepts into understandable information for scientific and program stakeholders
• Support technical reports, presentations, demonstrations, and other program deliverables
• Support response to urgent software or analytical issues affecting supported capabilities, including occasional work outside normal business hours when required
• Support troubleshooting and resolution of issues affecting machine learning applications and associated web or data capabilities

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Marine Science, Oceanography, or related discipline
• Master's degree preferred
• Experience developing or applying machine learning solutions for data analysis, computer vision, video analysis, or related applications
• Programming experience in Python or another modern programming language
• Experience working with large datasets and developing repeatable data-analysis workflows
• Understanding of machine learning concepts, model development, evaluation, and optimization
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with scientists and technical professionals from different disciplines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, and Adobe Acrobat
• Occasional domestic travel may be required to support scientific meetings, workshops, planning sessions, training activities, or other program requirements consistent with contract needs
• Experience applying AI or machine learning to scientific, environmental, marine, or oceanographic datasets is preferred
• Experience with computer vision, image recognition, object detection, video analytics, or image classification
• Experience working with high-volume video or streaming data
• Experience with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
• Experience with scientific Python libraries and data-analysis tools
• Experience supporting NOAA, other federal agencies, academic research organizations, or marine science programs
• Familiarity with marine organisms, oceanographic data, or scientific expedition environments