AI Research Scientist Jobs in Texas
AI Research Scientist jobs in Texas are among the most actively recruited positions in the state's technology sector, with demand running from entry-level research associates through senior and principal scientists across artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language model development. Austin, Dallas, and Houston anchor most of the hiring, where established employers including Dell Technologies, Texas Instruments, and MD Anderson Cancer Center maintain dedicated AI and data science research teams. The most sought-after specialties in Texas listings are natural language processing, computer vision, and reinforcement learning applied to enterprise software, semiconductor design, and biomedical research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Description
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) engineer will develop AI/ML proof-of-concept demonstrations and build new AI/ML solutions that scale with TxDOT’s pipelines and workflows. The role will be embedded within the Traffic Technology team with the goal to develop AI/ML for Operational Technology that improves the safety and operations of the TxDOT roadway system. The AI engineer will work across teams such as Traffic Technology, ITD AI team, and TRF to gather business requirements, develop AI software, and demonstrate successful solutions to end-users.
**Core Responsibilities**
Gather and document AI solution requirements from business stakeholders.
Develop AI proof-of-concepts and transition successful prototypes into production systems.
Design and implement scalable AI pipelines for enterprise applications.
Train, fine-tune, and validate AI/ML models for optimal performance.
Write clean, efficient software code and scripts for AI workflows.
Conduct rigorous testing and quality assurance of AI models and outputs.
Ensure compliance with organizational IT governance, security, and audit standards.
**Stakeholder Engagement & Communication**
Act as liason between Traffic Technology team, business stakeholders, and automation developers.
Facilitate requirements gathering and ensure clarity in AI solution design.
Communicate progress, risks, and issues to project sponsors and leadership teams.
**Delivery Excellence & Governance**
Ensure automation projects comply with TxDOT’s IT governance, security, and audit requirements.
Promote reusable components and standardized AI development practices.
Conduct post-implementation reviews to capture lessons learned and improve delivery methods.
**Team Coordination & Support**
Collaborate with data engineers, business analysts, and infrastructure teams.
Provide guidance on AI best practices and assist in troubleshooting.
Support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the team.
MINIMUM YEARS OF EXCPERIENCE SKILL & QUALIFICATION
--- Python – comfortable writing and debugging Python code, developed through coursework, internships, or personal projects
--- Machine Learning Fundamentals - Exposure to building and training ML models using frameworks such as scikit-learn, PyTorch, or TensorFlow
(academic, internship, or personal projects)
--- Cloud Platforms - Familiarity with at least one major cloud provider (AWS, Azure, GCP, or OCI); coursework, sandbox, or free-tier experience is
acceptable
Version Control - Experience using Git/GitHub for collaborative development
--- Databases - Working knowledge of SQL
--- Communication & Problem-Solving - Strong analytical skills and a demonstrated willingness to learn production engineering practices (Docker,
CI/CD, cloud deployment) on the job
--- Command Line Interface (CLI) - Basic comfort navigating and running commands in a terminal environment
PREFERRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATION
--- Exposure to Docker or other containerization concepts through coursework or personal projects
--- Coursework or personal projects involving computer vision (PyTorch/TensorFlow, OpenCV) or other applied ML domains
--- Familiarity with Bash or PowerShell scripting for basic automation
--- Familiarity with cloud AI services (e.g., Azure AI, AWS SageMaker, GCP Vertex AI) through coursework, certifications, or personal projects
--- Exposure to NoSQL or vector databases
--- A portfolio of academic, capstone, hackathon, or open-source ML projects (e.g., a GitHub profile)
--- Coursework or interest in cloud-based CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, or similar)
--- Curiosity about applied AI/ML research and current industry tools
--- Exposure to data pipelines or streaming concepts (e.g., Kafka) through coursework or projects
Pay: $33.00 - $38.00 per hour
Expected hours: No more than 33.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 26 AI Research Scientist Jobs in Texas
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Find AI Research Scientist JobsAI Research Scientist Jobs by City in Texas
Where Texas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
AI Research Scientist Job Market in Texas
A snapshot from current Texas openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Technology & Software
- Science & Research
- Banking & Financial Services
- Investment & Asset Management
What Texas Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in AI research scientist jobs across Texas.
- PhD or Master's degree in computer science, machine learning, or a closely related field
- Demonstrated research experience publishing in peer-reviewed AI or ML conferences
- Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
- Experience designing and training large-scale models on distributed computing infrastructure
- Strong background in statistical modeling, probability theory, and applied mathematics
- Ability to collaborate across engineering and product teams to translate research into deployed systems
AI Research Scientist Jobs in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a ai research scientist in Texas?
Most Texas employers require at least a Master's degree, and the majority of senior roles expect a PhD in computer science, artificial intelligence, statistics, or a related discipline. There is no state-issued license for this role in Texas. Candidates typically build a record of published or applied research, contribute to open-source projects, and develop proficiency in Python and leading deep learning frameworks before applying to research positions at Texas universities, tech companies, or large enterprise employers.
How much do AI research scientists make in Texas?
AI research scientists in Texas earn a median of about $121,210 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $65,480 for the lowest 10% to over $204,250 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire ai research scientists in Texas?
Employers hiring ai research scientists in Texas right now include University of Texas at El Paso, AMD, and Texas A&M University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Texas-based technology headquarters, semiconductor firms, and major academic medical centers are among the most consistent sources of research scientist openings in the state.
Which Texas cities have the most ai research scientist jobs?
Austin, Houston, and El Paso account for the largest concentration of ai research scientist openings in Texas. Austin's dense cluster of technology company headquarters and research labs drives the highest volume, while Dallas attracts enterprise software and financial technology employers, and Houston's medical center and energy sector are increasingly investing in applied AI research teams.
Are there remote ai research scientist jobs in Texas?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 38% of ai research scientist openings tied to Texas are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the core work, model development, literature review, and experimentation, can be completed without an on-site presence. Roles that require access to proprietary hardware clusters or close collaboration with wet-lab or manufacturing teams are more likely to require in-person attendance.
How can I get hired as a ai research scientist in Texas with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a research internship or graduate research assistantship at a Texas university such as UT Austin, Rice, or Texas A&M, which regularly pipeline candidates into full-time roles at affiliated industry partners. Candidates without a PhD can target research engineer or machine learning engineer titles at Texas technology companies, where strong open-source contributions, a reproducible project portfolio on GitHub, and completion of graduate-level coursework in machine learning create a competitive edge for transitioning into a researcher track.
Where can I find and apply to ai research scientist jobs in Texas?
You can find and apply to ai research scientist jobs in Texas on Migrate Mate, which lists current Texas openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 26 AI Research Scientist Jobs in Texas
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