Senior AI Scientist

The Elevator Pitch

Join Evolv as Senior AI Scientist/Engineer to drive applied AI innovation in physical security technology. As a key member of the ML/AI team you will be instrumental in developing and deploying state-of-the-art solutions that leverage LLMs and deep learning. Your work will focus on translating cutting-edge research into practical, high-impact applications that enhance Evolv’s product capabilities and deliver measurable value to customers. This hands-on role involves working with diverse data sources, including 3D cameras, magnetic sensors, and X-ray images to build intelligent, multi-sensor systems that operate in real-time on constrained hardware platforms. Your contributions will directly influence product features, performance, and the future of AI-powered security screening.

Success in the Role: What are performance outcomes over the first 6-12 months you will work toward completing?

In the first 30 days, you will:

• Become familiar with Evolv’s mission, data infrastructure, and AI strategy
• Explore existing ML pipelines and identify opportunities for research
• Engage in collaborative learning and contribute to peer reviews and technical discussions
• Assess the current state of LLMs and generative AI in the context of Evolv’s product roadmap

Within the First Three Months:

• Work with the product team to gather requirements and translate these to derived requirements that guide and inform ML/AI development efforts
• Initiate applied research projects focused on LLMs, deep learning, and generative AI with clear product relevance
• Engage in cross-functional communication with various engineering teams to disseminate ML/AI ideas, to inform roadmap and research priorities

By the End of the First Year:

• Deliver research prototypes that demonstrate product-ready capabilities for LLMs or generative AI
• Publish internal whitepapers and contribute to external technical communications
• Translate research into scalable, deployable solutions that enhance Evolv’s AI product offerings
• Establish Evolv as a thought leader in AI-driven security innovation
• Support the execution of Evolv’s AI strategy by aligning innovation with customer value and business growth

The Work: What type of work will you be doing? What assignments, requirements, or skills will you be performing on a regular basis?

Technical Leadership:

• Lead the development and application for LLMs, generative AI, and deep learning
• Design and evaluate novel model architectures, training regimes, and inference strategies
• Develop tools and frameworks that accelerate experimentation and deployment

Innovation:

• Drive Evolv’s AI research agenda by identifying high-impact, product-aligned opportunities
• Prototype and test new ideas in collaboration with engineering and product teams
• Engage in external research communities and stay ahead of emerging trends
• Foster a culture of innovation through experimentation, iteration, and knowledge sharing

Technical Expertise Required: Machine Learning & Computer Vision

• PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related field with 2+ years of experience in deep learning or NLP
• MS in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related field with 3+ years of experience in AI research
• Expertise in LLMs, transformer architectures, and generative models
• Strong command of emerging tools and architectures in machine learning
• Strong publication record or equivalent contributions to open-source or industry research
• Track record of delivering research with practical applications or product impact
• Experience with PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, or similar frameworks
• Understanding of model evaluation, interpretability, and responsible AI practices
• Strong programming skills in Python and C++.

What is the leadership like for this role? What is the structure and culture of the team?

You will join our R&D organization, reporting directly to the Senior Director of ML and sensors. In this role, you will interface with cross-disciplinary teams of highly skilled and autonomous engineers with expertise in Electromagnetics, Computer Vision, and AI. The R&D organization comprises more than 60 dedicated developers and managers with deep expertise who are always willing to help.  Leadership at Evolv lives our values: doing the right thing, putting people first, owning results, winning together, and being bold while staying curious. You’ll be supported by leaders who set a clear vision, foster collaboration, and empower you to do your best work. 

Where is the role located?

This role is based at our headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts. Due to the nature of our software-enabled hardware products, this position requires a minimum of 60% on-site work.

Compensation and Transparency Statement 

The base salary range for this full-time position is $119,000 – $191,000. In addition to base salary, this role offers a competitive target bonus, equity, and a comprehensive benefits package. This range reflects our commitment to pay transparency and equity, in alignment with applicable state laws. Our compensation ranges are determined based on factors such as role, level, location, market benchmarks, and internal equity. The posted range represents the good-faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this role across U.S. locations. Actual compensation within the range will be based on the candidate’s skills, experience, education, and geographic location. 

In accordance with state and local pay transparency laws—including those in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and others—we disclose salary ranges in all job postings and provide additional information upon request. 

During the hiring process, your recruiter will share: 

• The specific salary range for your preferred location 

• A general overview of our benefits and equity offerings 

• Insights into how compensation decisions are made, including factors that influence starting pay 

We are committed to fair pay practices, and we regularly review our compensation programs to ensure they are competitive, equitable, and aligned with our values. 

At Evolv, we’re on a mission to help make public spaces safer through innovative security technology. So, we're looking for future teammates who embody our values, people who: 

• Do the right thing, always; 

• Put people first' 

• Own it; 

• Win together; and continue to  

• Be bold, stay curious. 

When you join Evolv, you’ll not only work with cutting-edge technology but also enjoy competitive benefits that support your well-being, and personal growth.  

Our Benefits Include:  

• Equity as part of your total compensation package  

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance  

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)  

• A 401(k) plan (and 2% company match)  

• Unlimited vacation policy   

• Quarterly stipend for perks and benefits that matter most to you  

• Tuition reimbursement to support your ongoing learning and development  

• Subscription to Calm  

Evolv Technology (“Evolv”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace, and all employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law in the locations where we operate. Evolv will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. 
 

Evolv is committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of the job application process, please connect with us at [email protected].