Research Jobs in Washington
Research jobs in Washington are in strong demand, concentrated in the life sciences, technology, public policy, and academic sectors that anchor the state's economy. Seattle, Bellevue, and the Tri-Cities area are the primary hiring centers, with major employers such as the University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and Microsoft consistently filling research roles from entry-level associates to principal investigators. The most sought-after specialties include biomedical research, data and computational research, and environmental and public health research. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 130+ Research jobs
The Human and Object Understanding team (HOUr) in the Intelligent System Experience (ISE) organization is looking for Research Engineers with a strong foundation in Machine Learning and Computer Vision to develop the next generation of multi-modal Human Sensing technologies. You will be part of a fast-paced, impact-driven Applied Research organization building foundation models for facial and full-body perception and working on cutting-edge machine learning that is at the heart of the most loved features on Apple platforms including Apple Intelligence, Camera, Photos, Visual Intelligence, etc.
Description
As a Machine Learning Research Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and developing cutting-edge AI/ML models for Human Sensing, with a focus on building robust cross-domain identity recognition systems. Multi-modal Human Sensing is a foundational capability that powers intelligent experiences based on key human traits such as identity, expression, clothing, action, gesture, gaze and human-object interaction. Major Apple Intelligence experiences such as personalized Natural Language Search, Memories Creation, as well as personalized Image Generation are powered by our ability to learn robust representations of visual human traits. Efficient real-time visual human sensing powers flagship Photography experiences such as Cinematic mode and Photographic Styles, communication experiences such as Center Stage, and paves the way for more natural human-device interactions, e.g., with the DockKit framework.","responsibilities":"Designing, implementing, and deploying state-of-the-art visual recognition systems.
Building foundation models for facial and full-body perception.
Driving data quality excellence through strategic dataset curation, validation, and generation to support world-class model development.
Building tools and frameworks for systematic failure analysis, identifying edge cases, and driving continuous model improvement.
Directly interacting with all cross-functional stakeholders to gather product requirements and translating these into actionable plans for ML research and development.
Effectively communicating results and insights to partners and senior leaders, providing clear and actionable recommendations.
Staying current with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in machine learning, multi-modal foundation models, computer vision and natural language understanding.
Actively contributing to Apple's ML community by disseminating research ideas and results, enhancing shared infrastructure, and mentoring fellow practitioners.
Preferred Qualifications
Expert-level knowledge of state-of-the-art methods in face recognition or other facial analysis and biometric systems.
Hands-on experience training and scaling multi-modal large language models (LLMs) or large-scale vision-language models (VLMs)
Experience with on-device ML, model optimization (knowledge distillation, quantization, pruning), or production-grade ML pipelines.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related fields, or equivalent professional experience in Computer Vision (CV) and Machine Learning (ML) research and development.
Proven track record of training, fine-tuning and evaluating deep learning models for vision tasks using modern ML architectures.
Background in research and innovation, demonstrated through publications in top-tier journals or conferences, patents, or impactful software developments.
Proficient in Python, PyTorch or equivalent deep learning frameworks.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $142,300 and $263,300, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
The Human and Object Understanding team (HOUr) in the Intelligent System Experience (ISE) organization is looking for Research Engineers with a strong foundation in Machine Learning and Computer Vision to develop the next generation of multi-modal Human Sensing technologies. You will be part of a fast-paced, impact-driven Applied Research organization building foundation models for facial and full-body perception and working on cutting-edge machine learning that is at the heart of the most loved features on Apple platforms including Apple Intelligence, Camera, Photos, Visual Intelligence, etc.
Description
As a Machine Learning Research Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and developing cutting-edge AI/ML models for Human Sensing, with a focus on building robust cross-domain identity recognition systems. Multi-modal Human Sensing is a foundational capability that powers intelligent experiences based on key human traits such as identity, expression, clothing, action, gesture, gaze and human-object interaction. Major Apple Intelligence experiences such as personalized Natural Language Search, Memories Creation, as well as personalized Image Generation are powered by our ability to learn robust representations of visual human traits. Efficient real-time visual human sensing powers flagship Photography experiences such as Cinematic mode and Photographic Styles, communication experiences such as Center Stage, and paves the way for more natural human-device interactions, e.g., with the DockKit framework.","responsibilities":"Designing, implementing, and deploying state-of-the-art visual recognition systems.
Building foundation models for facial and full-body perception.
Driving data quality excellence through strategic dataset curation, validation, and generation to support world-class model development.
Building tools and frameworks for systematic failure analysis, identifying edge cases, and driving continuous model improvement.
Directly interacting with all cross-functional stakeholders to gather product requirements and translating these into actionable plans for ML research and development.
Effectively communicating results and insights to partners and senior leaders, providing clear and actionable recommendations.
Staying current with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in machine learning, multi-modal foundation models, computer vision and natural language understanding.
Actively contributing to Apple's ML community by disseminating research ideas and results, enhancing shared infrastructure, and mentoring fellow practitioners.
Preferred Qualifications
Expert-level knowledge of state-of-the-art methods in face recognition or other facial analysis and biometric systems.
Hands-on experience training and scaling multi-modal large language models (LLMs) or large-scale vision-language models (VLMs)
Experience with on-device ML, model optimization (knowledge distillation, quantization, pruning), or production-grade ML pipelines.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related fields, or equivalent professional experience in Computer Vision (CV) and Machine Learning (ML) research and development.
Proven track record of training, fine-tuning and evaluating deep learning models for vision tasks using modern ML architectures.
Background in research and innovation, demonstrated through publications in top-tier journals or conferences, patents, or impactful software developments.
Proficient in Python, PyTorch or equivalent deep learning frameworks.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $142,300 and $263,300, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See All 130+ Research Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research JobsResearch Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Meta38
- University Of Washington14
- Microsoft12
- Seattle Children's10
- Amazon7
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research jobs across Washington.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in a relevant scientific, technical, or social science field
- Demonstrated experience designing, conducting, and documenting research studies or experiments
- Proficiency with statistical analysis tools or research software such as R, Python, or SPSS
- Strong written communication skills for reports, grant proposals, and peer review submissions
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet institutional or funder compliance requirements
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including clinicians, engineers, or policy analysts
Research Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research in Washington?
Most research positions in Washington require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, though many roles at universities, biotech firms, and health systems prefer a master's or doctorate. Washington does not issue a general state research license, but roles in clinical research often require Good Clinical Practice certification, and human subjects research requires Institutional Review Board approval through the researcher's institution. Entry-level researchers typically begin as research assistants or coordinators at universities or hospitals before advancing.
Which companies hire researchs in Washington?
Companies currently hiring researchs in Washington include Meta, University Of Washington, and Microsoft, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Washington's dense concentration of research universities, federally funded national laboratories, and life sciences companies means steady openings across both public institutions and private employers throughout the state.
Which Washington cities have the most research jobs?
Seattle, Redmond, and Bellevue account for the largest share of research openings in Washington. Seattle and its eastside suburbs drive volume through the University of Washington, major tech campuses, and a growing biotech corridor, while the Tri-Cities area draws heavily from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and related federal and private contractors operating in energy and environmental research.
Are there remote research jobs in Washington?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 30% of research openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves data analysis, literature review, grant writing, and reporting rather than laboratory work. The most remote-friendly roles tend to be in policy research, market research, and computational or data-heavy research disciplines.
How can I get hired as a research in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a research assistant or coordinator position at the University of Washington, Washington State University, or one of the region's large hospital systems such as UW Medicine or Providence. These institutions regularly hire candidates with only a bachelor's degree for data collection, literature review, and study coordination roles. Completing a thesis or independent study project, earning a Good Clinical Practice certificate, and building familiarity with IRB submission processes all strengthen a new applicant's profile considerably.
Where can I find and apply to research jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to research jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and interest, and apply directly through the listings.
See All 130+ Research Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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