Senior Machine Learning Researcher, Birmingham

Job Description

Job Description

Location:

Southeastern United States (Hybrid/Remote) Transform Maritime Intelligence with Cutting-Edge AI/ML Are you an experienced machine learning researcher ready to push the limits of AI in one of the toughest domains—maritime autonomy? At Tocaro Blue, your expertise in designing, training, and deploying

custom ML models

will directly advance our foundational perception stack,

ProteusCore . As a

Senior ML Researcher , you will be the lead architect of Radar (and secondary EO/IR) models for object detection, semantic segmentation, and tracking. You’ll design algorithms capable of distinguishing vessels, land, shoreline constructions, wakes, and markers in dynamic maritime environments where

off-the-shelf models fall short . Your work will fuel products used by:·

Defense customers

developing USVs/ASVs for the U.S. Navy.·

Commercial OEMs

bringing advanced marine ADAS and autopilot features to market. This role is an opportunity to

define the ML foundations

of maritime autonomy—where perception evolves from situational awareness, to navigation assistance, to full autonomy. What You’ll Pioneer

Core ML and Autonomy Innovation· Invent and refine

custom deep learning architectures

for Radar and EO/IR imagery, with an emphasis on

semantic segmentation and temporal tracking , not just detection.· 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) with

design-of-experiment methods

for data collection and annotation.· Optimize and deploy models to

resource-constrained edge hardware

(CPU-only and ARM64 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. What Sets You Apart

Essential Qualifications· Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related field. · 7+ years applying

machine learning and signal processing

to real-world 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 (TensorFlow/Keras, PyTorch, or equivalent). Preferred Expertise · Track record of

developing ML models beyond standard YOLO-style detectors , particularly 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 pushing the boundaries of AI in

GPS-denied, cluttered, and low-visibility environments . Why Tocaro Blue?

Competitive Compensation&Growth· $132,000–$160,000 base salary with potential equity in a rapidly growing company. · Comprehensive benefits: 401(k) with 4% company matching, full

health/dental/vision,

life&disability insurance, generous PTO.· Continuous learning via conferences, training, and professional growth. Innovation-First Culture · Direct impact on defining

the AI backbone of maritime autonomy .· Work on problems

unsolved in automotive AI : Radar segmentation, maritime multi-object tracking, sensor fusion in GPS-denied waters.· Collaborative environment with elite engineers and researchers. · Hands-on field validation through

monthly data collection trips at our Pensacola test facility

.· A culture that balances innovation with personal growth. Equal Opportunity&Eligibility

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 are made based on skill and experience, geographic location, as well as role, responsibility, and leadership within the company, and other due diligence. Our hiring team will try to determine whether each candidate fits the job description and may choose, at their discretion, to redirect a candidate to another job offering that is more appropriate.NOTICE: All candidates for this role must be eligible to access sensitive information and items that requires“US Person status”, which is typically limited to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), with few exceptions. Tocaro Blue LLC is not able to sponsor work visas for this role.