Summary
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).
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.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your resume and supporting documentation will then be reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Based on agency resources, a subset of those submitting complete application packages and completing the online assessment will move on to the next phase of the process. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13068762 After the vacancy closes, we will review your application package to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your resume and supporting documentation will then be reviewed. Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, salary, duties performed for each position, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level/pay band. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited to an interview. Qualified candidates will be considered in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Direct Hire Guidelines. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. CTAP/ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating. Veterans' Preference does not apply to the direct hire recruitment procedures. Selections made under this notice will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. You may not be considered for the position if any part of the application is incomplete. Your application may not receive appropriate consideration without the required supporting documentation.