Computer Engineer jobs in Virginia

Applied Research and Development (R&D) Scientist/Engineer

Signal Processing and Machine Learning (Individual Contributor)

ARIA is a specialized R&D firm where advanced science and machine learning meet real-world deployment. We build the technical engines powering next-generation defense and commercial systems, tackling high-consequence challenges that demand an agile, interdisciplinary response. We trade rigid hierarchy for total ownership, creating a culture defined by freedom and accountability. As part of an elite team, you will drive mission-leading ideas from the initial whiteboard concept all the way to final field integration.

ARiA: Real Research. Real World.TM

www.ariacoustics.com

U.S. CITIZENSHIP IS REQUIRED. This position supports Department of War (DoW) combat systems and requires eligibility for a security clearance. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) and Visa holders are not eligible.

ADVANCED DEGREE REQUIRED. Applicants must possess a M.S. or Ph.D. in a relevant technical field (Acoustics, EE, Physics, or CS). Applications without a graduate-level technical degree will not be reviewed.

THIS IS A PRACTITIONER ROLE. We are not seeking Executives or Project Managers. As an integral and contributing member of a team, you will be expected to formulate algorithms and write code that implements those algorithms.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Opportunity:

ARIA is seeking Applied R&D Scientists/Engineers motivated by technical autonomy and mission impact. We solve complex problems in unforgiving environments where data is sparse and hardware is legacy. We don't just meet contract requirements; we adopt the customer's perspective as our own to solve the problems they haven't yet found the words to describe. We succeed when our technology exceeds the operator's imagination of what was possible.

Our Culture

We operate as an agile, elite team rather than a rigid bureaucracy. We seek "principled pragmatists"—low-ego, high-agency individuals who have the confidence to defend an innovation but the humility to pivot or start over if the data or a colleague proves there is a superior way forward. We value those who are dedicated to mastering their craft through deep work, yet remain calm and collaborative when challenges arise, helping the team iterate until the mission is successfully completed.

The Standard

Ours is a high-intensity environment that measures success by the density of your impact rather than hours at a desk. We seek disciplined professionals who deliver world-class results efficiently, recognizing that sustained excellence at work is only possible when you have a fulfilling life outside of it. We provide market-leading compensation and benefits because we value your expertise, but we want ARIA to be more than just a paycheck; we want people who are truly energized by the challenges we tackle together.

SCOPE OF WORK

As an Applied R&D Scientist/Engineer, you will drive projects across the full lifecycle—from applied research through to the development of field-ready prototypes. Working closely with an interdisciplinary team, you will design, develop, and test algorithms in numerical simulation, scientific visualization, machine learning, and signal processing. Your work will power diverse products, from real-time physics-based training tools to AI-driven tactical systems.

Core Responsibilities

• End-to-End Ownership: Translate raw research concepts into field-ready software through cross-disciplinary collaboration and self-directed accountability.
• Operational Awareness: Bridge the gap between scientific theory and user reality, prioritizing the customer's mission over personal technical preferences.
• Algorithmic Resilience: Design and test "battle-hardened" algorithms capable of performing reliably in high-stakes, real-world military and intelligence environments.
• Field Validation: Transition technology from the lab to operational platforms, troubleshooting in real-time under pressure and iterating until the system succeeds in the field.

Sample Tasks

• Design, develop, and help deploy cloud-deployed software tools for data-analysis and AI assurance that will be part of a new AI platform to be used across the Department of War (DoW).
• Develop novel neural-network-based detection and classification methods and algorithms for sonar signal and information processing to be integrated into Navy combat systems.
• Conduct research using deep learning and numerical scattering models to understand the relevant physical features in acoustic scattering data for use in a project on remediating underwater sites contaminated by unexploded ordnance.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship Required: Must be eligible for a government security investigation and access to sensitive information. (Green Card/Visa holders are not eligible).
• Advanced Technical Degree: Must possess a M.S. or Ph.D. in Acoustics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field.
• Practitioner Role: This is not a management position. You are expected to formulate the math and write the code that implements it.

Technical Expertise

• Domain Experience:l Experience in signal processing (radar/sonar, waveform design, beamforming), machine learning (deep learning, kernel machines, K-Means, KNN, etc.), and modern image processing methods.
• Programming: Proficiency designing and developing code in modern languages such as Python.
• GPU Programming: Competency with tools/frameworks such as PyTorch.

Professionalism

• Resilience: Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment and maintain calm under technical pressure.
• Communication: Superior ability to distill and communicate technical solutions to both colleagues and customers.
• Continual Learning: Exceptional ability and desire to acquire new knowledge and skills to solve challenges.
• Execution: A track record of taking a project from concept to delivery with minimal oversight, including examples of overcoming significant technical setbacks.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a resume/CV and cover letter.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $125,000.00 - $225,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Relocation assistance

Application Question(s):

• This position requires compliance with Federal drug laws, even if such substances are legal in your state. Will you comply with Federal drug laws?
• Due to the nature of the information required to perform this job, U.S. Citizenship is required for this position. Are you a citizen of the United States?

Education:

• Doctorate (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• U.S. citizenship (Required)

Security clearance:

• Secret (Preferred)

Work Location: In person