AI/ML Research Associate

Job Description:

NASA Langley Research Center is seeking high-performing students with demonstrated expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) to join the AiTHENA Program-Artificial Intelligence Training and Hands-on Experience at NASA.

As an AiTHENA Research Associate, you will work directly alongside NASA scientists, engineers, and civil servants to integrate cutting-edge AI/ML techniques into mission-driven research and federal business operations. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to active projects that support NASA's strategic goals

Overview

AiTHENA supports NASA researchers by pairing high-impact projects with AI/ML and data talent to accelerate mission-relevant tools. We are seeking an AI/ML Associate / Early Career Professional (ECP) with interest in AI governance, risk analysis, and applied data support to help NASA teams build practical, responsible AI capabilities, workflows, and implementation strategies.

This position is a good fit for someone who may not have deep technical or research experience yet, but can learn quickly, follow structured guidance, and communicate clearly. You'll work closely with a NASA mentor to translate needs into clear tasks, build reusable artifacts, and support governance-aligned workflows.

Remote and in-person candidates will be considered.

Hourly pay range: $23.10 - $33.50 (depending on locality)

What You'll Do

AI Governance Support

• Help teams document and track AI-related work using simple, repeatable processes.
• Support an AI use-case process by collecting key details (purpose, users, data types, risks, constraints).
• Create and maintain governance artifacts, such as:
  • model/data "factsheets" (basic model cards, dataset summaries)
  • decision logs and traceability notes
  • checklists for responsible AI (data handling, evaluation notes, limitations)
• Assist with risk triage (not legal decisions-supporting documentation and routing): flagging common considerations like sensitive data, privacy, misuse risk, and monitoring needs.
• Help organize and communicate governance readiness for demos or reviews (briefs, slide summaries, status dashboards).

Applied Data + Prototype Support

• Prepare and organize data: collect, clean, format, and document datasets (CSV/Excel, logs, text, images).
• Run basic analyses using Python (or similar tools): summaries, charts, simple quality checks.
• Support AI/ML work by running established workflows, such as:
  • baseline models (classification/regression)
  • simple trend checks for time-series data
  • basic text processing (tagging, search, summarization with guardrails)
• Create and share prototypes such as notebooks, scripts, simple dashboards, or small utilities that a mentor team can reuse.
• Keep work reproducible and easy to follow clear file organization, notes, and step-by-step documentation.
• Participate in AiTHENA check-ins, technical exchanges, demos, and closeout deliverables.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (Engineering, Math, Science, Computer Science, Information Systems, Policy/Program Management with technical exposure, or similar) or equivalent practical experience.
• Interest in responsible AI / AI governance and comfort working with structured checklists and documentation.
• Comfort learning technical tools (you don't need to be an expert).
• Basic experience with Python or strong willingness to learn quickly.
• Familiarity with common data formats (CSV/Excel, text files) and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and presentations (notes, short readouts, simple memos).
• Strong organization and follow-through (track tasks, meet deadlines, ask for help early).
• Work authorization:
  • In-person: U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency required
  • Remote: open to individuals authorized to work in the U.S.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some exposure (coursework, projects, internships) to one or more of:
  • AI governance concepts (model cards, data documentation, risk assessment basics, evaluation/monitoring ideas)
  • Data cleaning and analysis (pandas, Excel, basic SQL)
  • Simple machine learning with scikit-learn
  • Data visualization (matplotlib/plotly)
  • Working with text data (document tagging, keyword extraction, search)
• Familiarity with Git (version control) or willingness to learn it.
• Experience working with process workflows (Jira/ADO/Trello/SharePoint) and building simple trackers/dashboards.
• Graduate students (MS/PhD), recent graduates, or career transitioners are welcome.

Location (for in-person roles, depending on project needs)

Candidates located within reasonable commuting distance of one of the following are preferred for in-person placements:

• NASA Langley Research Center (Hampton, VA)
• NASA Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility (West Virginia)
• NASA Ames Research Center (Mountain View, CA)
• NASA Headquarters (Washington, D.C.)

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive. To learn more about our company, please visit our website at www.ama-inc.com/careers and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.