AI Researcher Jobs in Virginia
AI Researcher jobs in Virginia are in strong demand, concentrated in defense and intelligence contracting, federal agency R&D, and enterprise technology, with openings at every level from early-career to principal researcher. The Northern Virginia corridor anchored by Arlington and McLean, along with Richmond and the Charlottesville area, account for most of the hiring activity, where organizations like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and MITRE have deep and lasting presences. The most in-demand specialties are natural language processing, computer vision, and machine learning systems applied to national security and health data problems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 10+ AI Researcher jobs
DESCRIPTION
You will partner closely with Design, Product, Engineering, and Applied Science to ensure customer evidence informs both near-term product decisions and longer-term direction. You will lead tactical and foundational research in ambiguous spaces, apply strong methodological judgment, and translate complex findings into clear recommendations that influence roadmaps, priorities, and customer outcomes.
This role is a strong fit for a researcher who can independently lead complex programs, shape the research approach for a broader problem space, and raise the quality of decision-making through credible, actionable insight.
Key job responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end research programs across a product area, including study design, recruitment, moderation, analysis, synthesis, and communication of findings
- Drive a broad range of research, from rapid evaluative studies to foundational interviews, surveys, diary studies, journey research, and mixed-methods programs
- Partner with senior cross-functional stakeholders to inform product strategy, evaluate concepts and prototypes, and improve live customer experiences
- Define research plans for ambiguous problem spaces and use strong methodological judgment to select the right approach for the decision, product stage, and level of risk
- Help teams reduce ambiguity and de-risk investments by identifying unmet customer needs, product gaps, adoption barriers, and trust issues early
- Translate research findings into clear recommendations that improve usability, adoption, trust, and overall customer experience quality
- Influence roadmaps and prioritization by ensuring customer evidence is visible, credible, and actionable at the right moments
- Build deep domain expertise through ongoing study of customer workflows, prototypes, competitive products, and industry trends
- Mentor junior researchers and contribute to raising the quality, consistency, and impact of research across the team
- Explore thoughtful ways to use AI in the research and product development process where it improves speed, depth, or quality
About the team
The AWS Applied AI Solutions team is at the forefront of AI innovation, designing and building the next generation of intelligent business applications. We work closely with global Product, Engineering, Science, Marketing, and Business Development teams to deliver compelling AI-powered experiences that transform how businesses operate. Our research team plays a critical role in ensuring these AI solutions are not just technically advanced, but truly meet customer needs and drive meaningful business outcomes.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of proven success leading User Research projects with demonstrated impact experience
- 5+ years of hands-on work with: field research, ethnography, lab-based user testing, remote testing, paper prototype testing, iterative prototype testing, concept testing, and survey design experience
- Bachelor's degree in HCDE, Human Factors, Cognitive Psychology, or a related field
- Experience in leading User Research projects with demonstrated impact
- Experience with field research, ethnography, lab-based user testing, remote testing, paper prototype testing, iterative prototype testing, concept testing, and survey design
- Experience with all aspects of research (study design, recruiting, moderation, analysis, reporting)
- Experience with behavioral data collection, quantitative data analysis, and statistics
- Have a portfolio demonstrating past work experience and deliverables (e.g., study plans, reports, personas)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Human Factors, HCDE, Cognitive Psychology or equivalent
- Experience in a technical field (software development, network development, IT, other related)
- Experience with UX Research in non-US markets
- Experience working in a highly Agile/Scrum environment
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, CA, Sunnyvale - 167,400.00 - 226,500.00 USD annually
USA, NY, New York - 167,400.00 - 226,500.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Arlington - 152,200.00 - 205,900.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Herndon - 152,200.00 - 205,900.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 152,200.00 - 205,900.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
You will partner closely with Design, Product, Engineering, and Applied Science to ensure customer evidence informs both near-term product decisions and longer-term direction. You will lead tactical and foundational research in ambiguous spaces, apply strong methodological judgment, and translate complex findings into clear recommendations that influence roadmaps, priorities, and customer outcomes.
This role is a strong fit for a researcher who can independently lead complex programs, shape the research approach for a broader problem space, and raise the quality of decision-making through credible, actionable insight.
Key job responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end research programs across a product area, including study design, recruitment, moderation, analysis, synthesis, and communication of findings
- Drive a broad range of research, from rapid evaluative studies to foundational interviews, surveys, diary studies, journey research, and mixed-methods programs
- Partner with senior cross-functional stakeholders to inform product strategy, evaluate concepts and prototypes, and improve live customer experiences
- Define research plans for ambiguous problem spaces and use strong methodological judgment to select the right approach for the decision, product stage, and level of risk
- Help teams reduce ambiguity and de-risk investments by identifying unmet customer needs, product gaps, adoption barriers, and trust issues early
- Translate research findings into clear recommendations that improve usability, adoption, trust, and overall customer experience quality
- Influence roadmaps and prioritization by ensuring customer evidence is visible, credible, and actionable at the right moments
- Build deep domain expertise through ongoing study of customer workflows, prototypes, competitive products, and industry trends
- Mentor junior researchers and contribute to raising the quality, consistency, and impact of research across the team
- Explore thoughtful ways to use AI in the research and product development process where it improves speed, depth, or quality
About the team
The AWS Applied AI Solutions team is at the forefront of AI innovation, designing and building the next generation of intelligent business applications. We work closely with global Product, Engineering, Science, Marketing, and Business Development teams to deliver compelling AI-powered experiences that transform how businesses operate. Our research team plays a critical role in ensuring these AI solutions are not just technically advanced, but truly meet customer needs and drive meaningful business outcomes.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of proven success leading User Research projects with demonstrated impact experience
- 5+ years of hands-on work with: field research, ethnography, lab-based user testing, remote testing, paper prototype testing, iterative prototype testing, concept testing, and survey design experience
- Bachelor's degree in HCDE, Human Factors, Cognitive Psychology, or a related field
- Experience in leading User Research projects with demonstrated impact
- Experience with field research, ethnography, lab-based user testing, remote testing, paper prototype testing, iterative prototype testing, concept testing, and survey design
- Experience with all aspects of research (study design, recruiting, moderation, analysis, reporting)
- Experience with behavioral data collection, quantitative data analysis, and statistics
- Have a portfolio demonstrating past work experience and deliverables (e.g., study plans, reports, personas)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Human Factors, HCDE, Cognitive Psychology or equivalent
- Experience in a technical field (software development, network development, IT, other related)
- Experience with UX Research in non-US markets
- Experience working in a highly Agile/Scrum environment
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, CA, Sunnyvale - 167,400.00 - 226,500.00 USD annually
USA, NY, New York - 167,400.00 - 226,500.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Arlington - 152,200.00 - 205,900.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Herndon - 152,200.00 - 205,900.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 152,200.00 - 205,900.00 USD annually
See All 10 AI Researcher Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find AI Researcher JobsAI Researcher Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
AI Researcher Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in AI researcher jobs across Virginia.
- Master's or doctoral degree in computer science, machine learning, or a related field
- Hands-on experience building and evaluating machine learning models in production environments
- Proficiency in Python and core ML frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
- Ability to obtain or hold an active U.S. government security clearance
- Experience publishing research or contributing to peer-reviewed technical work
- Strong communication skills for presenting findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders
AI Researcher Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a ai researcher in Virginia?
There is no state-issued license required to work as an ai researcher in Virginia. The standard path is a master's or doctoral degree in computer science, artificial intelligence, or a closely related discipline, followed by demonstrated research experience through publications, graduate lab work, or industry projects. Virginia's large defense and federal contracting sector means many roles also require the ability to obtain a security clearance, which employers typically sponsor after hire.
How much do AI researchers make in Virginia?
AI researchers in Virginia earn a median of about $157,390 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $96,300 for the lowest 10% to over $230,630 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire ai researchers in Virginia?
Employers hiring ai researchers in Virginia right now include Virginia Tech, Amazon Web Services, and Virginia Commonwealth University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors means a significant share of these openings are tied to government programs requiring research in applied AI and data science.
Which Virginia cities have the most ai researcher jobs?
Arlington, Virginia, and McLean have the most ai researcher openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia dominates because of its dense cluster of federal agencies, defense contractors, and technology firms serving government clients, while Richmond and Charlottesville contribute openings driven by university research programs and regional healthcare and financial technology employers.
Are there remote ai researcher jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 75% of ai researcher openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves coding, modeling, and analysis that can be done off-site. Roles tied to classified government programs are the most likely exception, as those often require on-site or cleared facility work.
How can I get hired as a ai researcher in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a graduate research position or a research engineer role at one of Virginia's university-affiliated labs, such as those connected to Virginia Tech or George Mason University, where applied AI work is funded by federal grants. Large contractors like Booz Allen Hamilton and Leidos run early-career and associate researcher programs that recruit candidates without industry experience. Building a public portfolio of machine learning projects and contributing to open-source repositories strengthens an application significantly for these entry-level tracks.
Where can I find and apply to ai researcher jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to ai researcher jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the Virginia market. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and interests, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 10 AI Researcher Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find AI Researcher Jobs