Research & Development Engineer

Summary

Vector Solutions is an AI-enabled performance platform serving public, educational, and commercial sectors. The company seeks an experienced R&D Engineer to build, test, and refine AI-powered features for its SaaS products, integrating AI/ML services, supporting model-related data tasks, and collaborating on testing, documentation, and code reviews under senior engineering direction.

Responsibilities

• Build, test, and refine prototypes and features that apply AI and machine learning models (including large language models) to Vector's SaaS products, under the direction of senior engineers and R&D leadership
• Write, debug, and maintain application code that integrates AI/ML APIs and services into existing product workflows
• Support data preparation, labeling, and pipeline tasks needed to train, fine-tune, or evaluate AI models, following guidance from senior team members
• Execute experiments designed by senior engineers, document results, and summarize findings for team review
• Collaborate with QA to test AI-driven features for accuracy, reliability, and performance prior to release
• Assist in monitoring deployed AI features for performance issues, escalating problems to senior engineers as needed
• Contribute to internal documentation of AI workflows, model usage guidelines, and known limitations
• Participate in code reviews and incorporate feedback from senior engineers and technical leads
• Stay current on emerging AI tools and techniques relevant to assigned project work
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of professional software development experience
• Hands-on experience with AI/ML-related projects
• Strong working knowledge of at least one modern programming language commonly used in AI/ML development (e.g., Python, JavaScript, or similar), gained through several years of hands-on development experience
• Solid understanding of machine learning concepts and practical experience with common AI/ML frameworks or APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Hugging Face, TensorFlow, PyTorch)
• Ability to take direction and requirements from senior engineers and R&D leadership and independently translate them into working, well-tested code
• Strong attention to detail and ability to test and validate technical work before hand-off
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for documenting work and collaborating with cross-functional teams
• Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks within a clearly defined project scope
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git)
• Willingness to learn and adapt to new tools, frameworks, and AI techniques
• Experience working with LLM APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic) or open-source ML frameworks
• Experience in a SaaS product development environment; prior experience integrating AI/ML capabilities into production applications

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of professional software development experience
• Hands-on experience with AI/ML-related projects
• Strong working knowledge of at least one modern programming language commonly used in AI/ML development (e.g., Python, JavaScript, or similar), gained through several years of hands-on development experience
• Solid understanding of machine learning concepts and practical experience with common AI/ML frameworks or APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Hugging Face, TensorFlow, PyTorch)
• Ability to take direction and requirements from senior engineers and R&D leadership and independently translate them into working, well-tested code
• Strong attention to detail and ability to test and validate technical work before hand-off
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for documenting work and collaborating with cross-functional teams
• Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks within a clearly defined project scope
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git)
• Willingness to learn and adapt to new tools, frameworks, and AI techniques

Nice to Haves

• Experience working with LLM APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic) or open-source ML frameworks
• Experience in a SaaS product development environment; prior experience integrating AI/ML capabilities into production applications

Benefits

• Friendly, open, and casual work environment
• Comprehensive benefits package effective the first of the month after hire
• Matching 401(k) retirement plan
• Healthy work-life balance with flexible work arrangements and generous time off
• Generous referral incentive program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Pet Insurance
• OnePass Gym/Wellness Discount Program
• Calm Health-Employee Membership
• Company social events
• Employee Resource Groups
• Philanthropic opportunities