Senior Computer Scientist

Job Title

Senior Computer Scientist

MERC

Mercer Engineering Research Center

Warner Robins, GA

Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC), a research institute of Mercer University, provides high quality engineering, scientific, and technical support services to government and private industry customers.

• Serves as an internal resource on structured programming techniques for software systems.
• Leads program design reviews with customers.
• Responsible from the initial concept to design, coding, and testing to meet specifications.
• Performs analysis of algorithms and requirements for computational resources and architecture required.
• Leads a team to develop software systems, including design, implementation, and deployment of device drivers, kernel enhancements, and other essential system‑level software.
• Demonstrates proficiency in multiple software languages and operating systems.
• Leads a team to perform analysis, design, software development, and maintenance tasks for highly complex systems.
• Coaches less experienced computer scientists and ensures adherence to design and coding standards and practices.
• Mentors and leads less experienced team members.
• Leads the development, test, and integration of code for new or existing software of significant complexity involving multiple teams.
• Stays abreast of all applicable technical advancements.
• Applies and adapts theoretical principles to develop new computer software and/or hardware solutions.
• Develops approaches to solve analytical problems and documents methodologies.
• Complies with all Executive Director approved MERC‑wide policies and procedures.
• Adheres to approved MERC MSP quality management policies and promotes continuous quality improvement.
• Ensures thorough familiarity and awareness of all MERC core capabilities and remains alert for opportunities to promote MERC capabilities and interests.
• Submits suggestions for new business opportunities or reports identified customer problems or opportunities to the Director of Acquisition Strategy through a Chief Engineer/Technical Director.

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.
• Undergraduate degree in computer science with 9 years of directly related experience, or a Master’s degree with 8 years, or a Ph.D. with 3 years.
• 3 years of technical lead responsibility.
• Ability to obtain certification in accordance with DoD 8140 series requirements.
• Proficient using Python, Java, JavaScript, jQuery, C#, and .NET frameworks including MVC, Web Forms, and/or .NET Core.
• Proficient using secure coding practices.
• Proficient using database design principles and SQL.
• Proficient in the agile framework and software development life cycle.
• Experienced in developing testing strategies for components and/or applications.

• Proficiency in Tensor Flow, PyTorch, or similar libraries.
• Experience building, fine‑tuning, and deploying advanced models such as LLMs, computer vision, and recommendation systems.
• Designing scalable AI pipelines, integrating data ingestion, model training, and production deployment.
• Familiarity with CI/CD for models and model versioning.
• Skilled in feature engineering, handling large datasets, and applying vector databases for semantic search.
• Ability to interpret state‑of‑the‑art AI research and implement findings in production systems.
• Understanding of model explainability, bias mitigation, and ethical AI practices.
• Strong communication skills for cross‑functional collaboration and mentoring junior engineers in AI practices.
• Familiarity with data manipulation, cleaning, and analysis.
• Familiarity with Oracle/SQL Server.
• Knowledge of MLOps and tools like Docker and Kubernetes for product ionizing models.
• Experience with AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for deploying, scaling, and managing AI models.

Application must include a cover letter and resume. Final rank will be determined on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

MERC is a non‑profit research institute of Mercer University and offers a generous benefits package, including health and dental insurance, retirement, tuition reimbursement, and vacation/sick leave accrual, as well as holiday pay.

40

Staff MERC Exempt

EEO/Veteran/Disability