Lead Human-Centered AI Engineer

MITRE Corporation - McLean, VA

Full-time - Mid Level

McLean, VA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Lead Human-Centered AI Engineer at MITRE Corporation will drive research in AI and Machine Learning technologies, focusing on human-centered engineering to enhance collaboration between diverse human teams and AI systems. This role involves designing and executing research that explores human interactions with emerging AI technologies, particularly in the context of national security and public sector applications.

Responsibilities

• Assist MITRE and government sponsors in defining, executing, and applying research to solve challenging collaboration problems in domains such as healthcare, intelligence, and defense.
• Apply human-centered methods to design and evaluate human interactions with LLM, AI, and ML technologies.
• Design, conduct, and communicate human-centered research on AI, including formal experimental research and observational/naturalistic research.
• Lead complex projects, planning and guiding the work of others in conducting and applying research.
• Write proposals to conduct research and prototyping that can be applied to our sponsors' concrete use cases and to advance public discussion about AI.
• Advocate for human-centered AI research inside and outside MITRE including shaping our organization's strategy in Human-Centered AI; publish research and present at conferences.
• Demonstrate expertise in academic and industry best practices for human-centered AI research.

Requirements

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Strong fundamentals in human factors, cognitive engineering, human-centered design, or another related approach to human-systems interaction.
• Experience applying user-centered design and evaluation methods including at least two of the following: task analysis, personas, journey maps, usability testing, cognitive walkthroughs, critical decision method, design thinking, participatory design.
• Experience proposing, designing, and/or conducting research on human interactions with AI systems and interfaces, including LLMs.
• Experience with one or more data analysis tools and techniques.
• Proven ability to work independently to learn new technologies, techniques, processes, platforms, and systems.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD Secret clearance.

Nice-to-haves

• PhD in Computer Science, Human Factors, Social Sciences, or related field.
• Experience with and/or passion for working with national security or the public sector.
• Track record of publications, reports, presentations, essays, etc. about human interactions with AI.
• Experience leading research teams.
• Active DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Experience in Python or another programming language frequently used for AI/ML prototyping.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits
• Exceptional professional development opportunities
• Culture of innovation that embraces diversity, inclusion, flexibility, collaboration, and career growth