Senior Machine Learning Researcher

About the Role

Position: Senior ML Researcher
Location: United States (Hybrid/Remote – Southeast)

Transform Maritime Intelligence with Cutting-Edge AI/ML. Your expertise in designing, training, and deploying custom ML models will directly advance our foundational perception stack,
Proteus Core
. As a Senior ML Researcher, you will lead architecture for Radar and secondary EO/IR models for object detection, semantic segmentation, and tracking in maritime environments.

• Invent and refine custom deep learning architectures for Radar and EO/IR imagery, focusing on semantic segmentation and temporal tracking.
• Develop multi‑stage ML pipelines (context + characteristic models, segmentation + classification) tailored to low‑SNR Radar returns.
• Train models on proprietary large‑scale datasets (millions of Radar samples and camera sequences) using design‑of‑experiment methods for data collection and annotation.
• Optimize and deploy models to resource‑constrained edge hardware (CPU‑only and ARM
  64 platforms), including C++ inference layers.
• Advance fusion‑aware ML models that integrate Radar with EO/IR, AIS, and cartography for robust classification in GPS‑denied or cluttered environments.
• Collaborate with fusion and autonomy engineers to ensure ML outputs integrate seamlessly into multi‑target tracking and SLAM pipelines.
• Contribute to ML‑Ops workflows: data management, large‑scale training, continuous integration of new field data, and automated evaluation pipelines.

• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience applying machine learning and signal processing to dynamic systems (graduate research counts if directly applicable).
• Demonstrated mastery of semantic segmentation and object classification models, ideally applied to non‑vision sensor modalities.
• Expert‑level Python skills with ML frameworks (Tensor Flow/Keras, PyTorch, or equivalent).
• Track record of developing ML models beyond standard YOLO‑style detectors, especially for segmentation of noisy or sparse data (Radar, sonar, or medical imaging).
• Strong background in computer vision and temporal modeling (CNNs, transformers, RNNs for sequential sensor data).
• Experience deploying ML to embedded/edge platforms with optimized C++ inference.
• Knowledge of marine, automotive, or aerial robotics systems.
• Contributions to large‑scale ML data pipelines: annotation strategies, dataset balancing, simulation‑to‑real transfer.
• Passion for advancing AI in GPS‑denied, cluttered, and low‑visibility environments.

• $132,000 – $160,000 base salary with potential equity.
• Comprehensive benefits: 401(k) with 4% company match, full health/dental/vision, life & disability insurance, generous PTO.
• Continuous learning support: conferences, training, professional growth.

• Direct impact on defining the AI backbone of maritime autonomy.
• Work on unsolved problems in automotive AI:
  Radar segmentation, maritime multi‑object tracking, sensor fusion in GPS‑denied waters.
• Collaborative environment with elite engineers and researchers.

• Hybrid and remote options for Southeast US candidates; offices in Pensacola (FL), Birmingham (AL), and Atlanta (GA).
• Hands‑on field validation through monthly data collection trips at Pensacola test facility.

Tocaro Blue, LLC is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Individual offers are based on skill, experience, geographic location, and role responsibilities. Our hiring team may redirect a candidate to another posting if appropriate.
All candidates must be eligible to access sensitive information requiring “US Person status,” typically limited to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. Tocaro Blue LLC cannot sponsor work visas for this role.