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Machine Learning Engineer, Senior

9 Mothers· Engineering
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Austin, TX$150k - $250kFull-timePosted 3mo ago

About the role

Senior Machine Learning Engineer role at 9 Mothers Defense to design, train, and maintain models powering the counter-sUAS perception stack, with emphasis on model research, dataset engineering, and training infrastructure for detection, classification, and discrimination of aerial targets. Onsite in Austin, TX.

Responsibilities

  • Design, train, and iterate on machine learning models for detection, classification, and tracking of aerial targets.
  • Own the dataset pipeline end-to-end, including data collection, labeling, curation, augmentation, synthetic data generation, and closed-loop retraining based on field performance.
  • Build and maintain training infrastructure, including experiment tracking, compute orchestration, and evaluation harnesses.
  • Define metrics and evaluation methodologies that correlate to real-world operational performance.
  • Support deployment of trained models into the production perception stack, and address discrepancies between training and deployed performance.
  • Analyze field data to identify and address model failure modes.

Qualifications

  • Demonstrated experience shipping machine learning systems into production under real-world operational requirements.
  • Fluency in PyTorch or JAX, including full training loop development beyond fine-tuning off-the-shelf models.
  • Strong software engineering skills beyond model development, including ownership of training infrastructure.
  • Proficiency in Python; working knowledge of C++ or Rust at the training-to-deployment boundary.
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to pass a background check.

Skills

Required:Machine Learning EngineeringPyTorch or JAXPython
Nice to have:C++ or Rust

Benefits

  • Meaningful Early Equity: You aren't just an employee; you are a foundational owner. Your contributions directly drive the value of your stake in the company.
  • Direct Roadmap Influence: You will have a seat at the table, directly shaping our product and technology trajectory from day one.
  • Mission-Critical Work: We build systems the Department of War needs to counter immediate threats.
  • The Builder's Playground: Onsite lab with NVIDIA Jetsons, high-end scopes, and 3-D printers.
  • 100% Employer-Paid Premiums: Medical, dental, and vision premiums fully covered; partial coverage for dependents.
  • Unlimited PTO: Take time you need to stay sharp and recharge.
  • Zero Red Tape: Direct reporting to founders with autonomy on technical decisions.
  • Austin-Based Culture: Onsite team in Austin, TX with rapid field-testing.
  • Relocation Assistance: Support to relocate to Austin.
Last updated Oct 25, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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About 9 Mothers

AI weapon systems

We are making AI weapon systems for the modern battlefield. Our first product EDDA is a small, low power, low cost fully autonomous-capable counter drone system. It's designed to be used on vehicles, bases, or carried - to stop group 1 suicide drones.

Hard TechHardwareDronesGovTechAerospace
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