AI Research Engineer Jobs in Maryland
AI Research Engineer jobs in Maryland are concentrated in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, Bethesda, and College Park, where federal contractors, defense agencies, and research universities generate steady demand for machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision specialists. Employers with a lasting presence in the state include Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Leidos, and Northrop Grumman, all of which run active AI and data science programs. Openings range from early-career research roles to senior principal engineers leading applied research programs. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find AI Research Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 29+ AI Research Engineer jobs
Build to something to be proud of.
Captivation has built a reputation on providing customers exactly what is needed in a timely manner. Our team of engineers take pride in what they develop and constantly innovate to provide the best solution. Captivation is looking for software developers who can get stuff done while making a difference in support of the mission to protect our country.
Description
Captivation Software is looking for a mid level AI/ML engineer who will be responsible for designing, creating, testing, and productizing AI/ML algorithms to solve business challenges
Responsibilities
- Select appropriate data sets
- Perform statistical analysis
- Run machine learning algorithms
- Use results to improve models
- Train and retrain systems when needed
- Experience in working with various ML libraries and packages
- Run standard test and evaluation protocols
- Provide system integration oversight
- Oversee Test and evaluation of AI and ML algorithms through an iterative design process to meet verification and validation requirements
- Research and implement a broad range of AI and ML algorithms and tools
- Design or Select appropriate data and knowledge representation methods
- Recognize software architecture, data modelling, and data structures
- Transform and convert data science prototypes into scalable solutions
- Verify data and model output quality
- Identify differences in data distribution that affect model performance
Requirements
Security Clearance:
- Must currently hold a Top Secret/SCI U.S. Government security clearance with a favorable Polygraph, therefore all candidates must be a U.S. citizen
Minimum Qualifications:
- Five (5) years of experience deploying machine learning algorithms is required.
- A Master's or Ph.D. degree in advanced math, artificial intelligence, data science, computer science or deep learning from an accredited college or university is required.
- 5 additional years machine learning experience with a relevant Bachelor's degree may be substituted for a Master's degree.
Required Skills:
- Demonstrated abilities in software engineering and AI/ML model test and evaluation.
This position is open for direct hires only. We will not consider candidates from third party staffing/recruiting firms.
Benefits
- Annual Salary: $130,000 - $270,000 (Depends on the Years of Experience)
- Up to 20% 401k contribution (No Matching Required and Vested from Day 1)
- Above Market Hourly Rates
- $3,600 HSA Contribution
- 6 Weeks Paid Time Off
- Company Paid Employee Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance/Life Insurance/Short-Term & Long-Term Disability/AD&D
Build to something to be proud of.
Captivation has built a reputation on providing customers exactly what is needed in a timely manner. Our team of engineers take pride in what they develop and constantly innovate to provide the best solution. Captivation is looking for software developers who can get stuff done while making a difference in support of the mission to protect our country.
Description
Captivation Software is looking for a mid level AI/ML engineer who will be responsible for designing, creating, testing, and productizing AI/ML algorithms to solve business challenges
Responsibilities
- Select appropriate data sets
- Perform statistical analysis
- Run machine learning algorithms
- Use results to improve models
- Train and retrain systems when needed
- Experience in working with various ML libraries and packages
- Run standard test and evaluation protocols
- Provide system integration oversight
- Oversee Test and evaluation of AI and ML algorithms through an iterative design process to meet verification and validation requirements
- Research and implement a broad range of AI and ML algorithms and tools
- Design or Select appropriate data and knowledge representation methods
- Recognize software architecture, data modelling, and data structures
- Transform and convert data science prototypes into scalable solutions
- Verify data and model output quality
- Identify differences in data distribution that affect model performance
Requirements
Security Clearance:
- Must currently hold a Top Secret/SCI U.S. Government security clearance with a favorable Polygraph, therefore all candidates must be a U.S. citizen
Minimum Qualifications:
- Five (5) years of experience deploying machine learning algorithms is required.
- A Master's or Ph.D. degree in advanced math, artificial intelligence, data science, computer science or deep learning from an accredited college or university is required.
- 5 additional years machine learning experience with a relevant Bachelor's degree may be substituted for a Master's degree.
Required Skills:
- Demonstrated abilities in software engineering and AI/ML model test and evaluation.
This position is open for direct hires only. We will not consider candidates from third party staffing/recruiting firms.
Benefits
- Annual Salary: $130,000 - $270,000 (Depends on the Years of Experience)
- Up to 20% 401k contribution (No Matching Required and Vested from Day 1)
- Above Market Hourly Rates
- $3,600 HSA Contribution
- 6 Weeks Paid Time Off
- Company Paid Employee Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance/Life Insurance/Short-Term & Long-Term Disability/AD&D
See All 29 AI Research Engineer Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find AI Research Engineer JobsAI Research Engineer Jobs by City in Maryland
Where Maryland roles are concentrated, by current openings.
AI Research Engineer Job Market in Maryland
A snapshot from current Maryland openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory10
- Leidos3
- Johns Hopkins University3
- Bluemont Technology & Research2B
- GEICO1
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Science & Research
- Aerospace & Defense
- Government & Public Sector
What Maryland Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in AI research engineer jobs across Maryland.
- Master's or PhD in computer science, AI, or a closely related technical field
- Demonstrated experience with machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
- Ability to obtain or maintain a U.S. government security clearance for federal contract work
- Strong publication record or portfolio of applied research projects in AI or ML
- Experience deploying models at scale in cloud or edge computing environments
- Proficiency in Python and familiarity with software engineering best practices
AI Research Engineer Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a ai research engineer in Maryland?
The most direct path is a master's or doctoral degree in computer science, artificial intelligence, or a related field, followed by research experience through an internship or academic lab. Maryland has no state-issued license for this role. Strong candidates build on the state's concentration of federally funded research by targeting labs at the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, or defense contractors in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, where applied AI work is the primary hiring driver.
How much do AI research engineers make in Maryland?
AI research engineers in Maryland earn a median of about $145,310 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $98,380 for the lowest 10% to over $195,190 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire ai research engineers in Maryland?
Companies currently hiring ai research engineers in Maryland include Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Leidos, and Johns Hopkins University, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Maryland's density of federal agencies and defense contractors means many openings require or strongly prefer candidates who hold or can obtain a security clearance.
Which Maryland cities have the most ai research engineer jobs?
The cities with the most ai research engineer openings in Maryland are Laurel, Bethesda, and Baltimore. The distribution reflects the Baltimore-Washington corridor's concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and research universities, with suburban hubs like Bethesda and College Park driven by institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and the University of Maryland, while Baltimore anchors the Johns Hopkins and biomedical research ecosystem.
Are there remote ai research engineer jobs in Maryland?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 50% of ai research engineer openings tied to Maryland are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the desk-based and analytical nature of the work. Research engineering tasks such as model development, experimentation, and paper writing are particularly well suited to remote arrangements, though roles tied to federal contracts or classified programs typically require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a ai research engineer in Maryland with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a research assistantship or internship at the University of Maryland's College Park campus or Johns Hopkins University, both of which run active AI research programs that regularly place graduates into industry roles. Entry-level positions at Leidos, MITRE, or government agencies often accept candidates from adjacent roles such as data analyst, software engineer, or research scientist with a strong technical portfolio. Publishing a paper, contributing to an open-source project, or completing a relevant graduate capstone gives Maryland hiring managers concrete evidence of research capability.
Where can I find and apply to ai research engineer jobs in Maryland?
You can find and apply to ai research engineer jobs in Maryland on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and interests, and apply directly to each position that fits.
See All 29 AI Research Engineer Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find AI Research Engineer Jobs