Senior AI/ML Engineer

The Senior Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) Engineer serves as the agency's senior technical data scientist providing mission critical analytics to detect and mitigate consumer product hazards. This position is located in the Directorate for Epidemiology (EP), Office of Risk Reduction (EXRR) at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Major duties

This position is officially titled Data Scientist (Artificial Intelligence). The working title is Senior AI/ML Engineer. The incumbent supports the modernization of CPSC's analytical ecosystem by designing and implementing AI/ML models, advanced analytical methods, cloud native workflows, and automation that accelerate hazard triage and strengthen data driven decision making across the agency. The Senior AI/ML Engineer performs the following duties: Designs, develops, tests, and deploys supervised, unsupervised, NLP, deep learning, and agent-enabled AI models that detect risks, surface signals, and identify leading indicators. Uses modern ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) and scalable compute environments to build high-performance models that meet standards for accuracy, fairness, robustness, and transparency. Advises on high-quality data pipelines for ingestion, transformation, validation, quality enforcement, and preprocessing of diverse datasets. Operationalizes models in secure cloud environments (preferably Azure), leveraging cloud-native services, containerization, CI/CD automation, and scalable compute. Conducts analytical research to identify trends, patterns, and emerging hazards through statistical learning, causal inference, scenario modeling, and "what-if" simulations. Supports the agency's hazard detection research agenda by proposing new analytical methods, experimenting with novel architectures, and implementing advanced machine learning approaches. Acts as a key stakeholder with state-of-the-art knowledge in AI/ML, participating in working groups, communities of practice, and interagency collaborations. Works closely with program offices, engineering teams, compliance staff, field investigators, and agency leadership to translate analytic requirements into operational ML solutions. Communicates uncertainty, assumptions, limitations, and risk tradeoffs associated with modeling decisions and analytical findings. Designs and develops AI agents and retrieval-augmented systems (e.g., Copilot Studio, Python-based agents) that operationalize hazard detection workflows. Integrates AI agents with APIs, event streams, dashboards, and case management systems to reduce cycle time from signal to action. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

In addition to the mandatory education requirement, all applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: GS-14: 1) Demonstrated experience advancing AI/ML and analytics initiatives by leading components of model development, data preprocessing, feature engineering, model validation, and model monitoring; 2) improving data pipelines and cloud-based workflows to ensure scalable, reliable analytics; 3) managing, executing, and leveraging MLOps pipelines; 4) applying advanced analytical and machine-learning techniques to detect patterns and identify emerging trends or data signals; 5) developing clear, actionable visualizations and technical documentation; and 6) collaborating closely with technical experts and program stakeholders to design and implement practical, data-driven solutions that strengthen risk detection and decision-making. Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Mandatory Education Requirement. All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify: A. A bachelor's or higher degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position. The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position. OR B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience. There is no substitution for specialized experience at this grade level. You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable during the application process. Official transcripts will be required upon appointment. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. All education claimed by applicants will be verified.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen. This is a Public Trust Position. Employment in this position requires a background investigation. If you are selected and cannot meet the criteria requirement for the pre-employment waiver and/or a favorable suitability determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed or undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Please see http://www.sss.gov for more information. Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to appointment and the appropriate background investigation forms to determine suitability for Federal employment. False statements or responses on these forms can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service. The selectee will be required to complete a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the I-9 Form. We will compare information provided on the I-9 Form to records available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The system confirms employee's identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the CPSC; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the CPSC or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.