AI Research Scientist I

Join Axon and be a Force for Good.

At Axon, we’re on a mission to Protect Life. We’re explorers, pursuing society’s most critical safety and justice issues with our ecosystem of devices and cloud software. Like our products, we work better together. We connect with candor and care, seeking out diverse perspectives from our customers, communities and each other.
Life at Axon is fast-paced, challenging and meaningful. Here, you’ll take ownership and drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission that matters at a company where you matter.

Life at Axon is fast-paced, challenging and meaningful. Here, you’ll take ownership and drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission that matters at a company where you matter.

Your Impact
We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Computer Vision and Machine Learning Scientist to join our AI team, focusing on AI applications in Cloud, Devices and Robotics. As a key member of our research and development efforts, you will play a crucial role in advancing the state-of-the-art in Multimodal Large Language Models (MLLMs), Computer Vision technologies for our cloud, devices and robotics. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and deploy cutting-edge computer vision algorithms and solutions that enable intelligent perception and understanding of visual data.
What You’ll Do
Location: Seattle, WA
Reports to: Senior Manager, Research Science

• Research and develop advanced MLLMs, GenAI, and Computer Vision techniques for cloud, devices and sensors from multimodal data sources.
• Design and implement efficient and scalable MLLM models for inference and analysis of visual data.
• Explore novel approaches to address challenges in object detection, recognition, tracking, segmentation, and scene understanding.
• Optimize algorithms for performance, memory footprint, and energy efficiency to meet the requirements of resource-constrained devices.
• Join force with MLEs or firmware or hardware engineers to leverage hardware accelerators and optimize algorithms for specific hardware architectures.
• Evaluate the performance of MLLM models using real-world datasets and design experiments to validate their effectiveness.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest research trends and advancements in computer vision, machine learning, and deep learning, MLLMs, GenAI and integrate relevant findings into our projects.
• Contribute to patent disclosures, academic publications, and technical documentation to share insights and findings with the broader community.
• Experience coach and mentor junior scientists.

What You Bring

• PhD and 1 years experience in Computer Science and Robotics or a related field with a focus on robotics perception, MLLMs, computer vision, machine learning, or artificial intelligence.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C/C++, experience with deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras and experience with ROS or robotic operational system.
• Drive one or more phases of the ML development lifecycle: shape datasets, investigate modeling approaches and architectures, train/evaluate/tune models and implement the end-to-end training pipeline.
• Leverage state-of-the-art research to deliver high quality models enabling multiple AI projects at scale.
• Contribute back to the research community via academic publications, tech blogs, open-source code and contributing to internal/external AI challenges
• Experience in developing computer vision algorithms for resource-constrained devices such as mobile phones, IoT devices, or embedded systems is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively present complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Benefits that Benefit You

• Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
• Discretionary paid time off
• Paid parental leave for all
• Medical, Dental, Vision plans
• Fitness Programs
• Emotional & Mental Wellness support
• Learning & Development programs
• And yes, we have snacks in our offices

Benefits listed herein may vary depending on the nature of your employment and the location where you work

Location: This role is based out of our Seattle, WA office and follows a hybrid schedule. We rely on in-person collaboration and ask that team members work onsite Tuesday through Friday, with flexibility to work remotely on Mondays. We believe connection fuels innovation, and our in-office culture is designed to support meaningful teamwork and mentorship.

#LI-Hybrid

Axon is a total compensation company, meaning compensation is made up of base pay, bonus, and stock awards. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: level, function, training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, geographic market, and often a combination of all these factors. Our benefits offer an array of options to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. To see more details on our benefits offerings please visit https://www.axon.com/careers.

Base Pay Range

$139,500 - $223,200 USD

Don’t meet every single requirement? That's ok. At Axon, we Aim Far. We think big with a long-term view because we want to reinvent the world to be a safer, better place. We are also committed to building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they check every box in the job description. If you’re excited about this role and our mission to Protect Life but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification listed here, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Important Notes

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. The job description may change or be supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.

Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment.

We collect personal information from applicants to evaluate candidates for employment. You may request access, deletion, or exercise other CCPA rights at axongreenhousesupport@axon.com or via our Axon Privacy Web Form. For more information, please see the Your California Privacy Rights section of our Applicant and Candidate Privacy Notice.

Axon’s mission is to Protect Life and is committed to the well-being and safety of its employees as well as Axon’s impact on the environment. All Axon employees must be aware of and committed to the appropriate environmental, health, and safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Axon employees are empowered to report safety concerns as they arise and activities potentially impacting the environment.

We are an equal opportunity employer that promotes justice, advances equity, values diversity and fosters inclusion. We’re committed to hiring the best talent — regardless of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances — and empowering all of our employees so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or special need that requires assistance or accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email recruitingops@axon.com. Please note that this email address is for accommodation purposes only. Axon will not respond to inquiries for other purposes.

Phishing alert: Axon will never ask you to pay for any part of the hiring process, including training, equipment, or background checks. We do not make job offers via text message, WhatsApp, or instant messaging platforms without a formal interview process. All legitimate job openings are listed on our official careers page at https://www.axon.com/careers. If you receive a suspicious offer or outreach from an email address that is not @axon.com, or if you are asked for sensitive personal information (bank details, Social Security Number) prematurely, please ignore the message and report it to recruitingops@axon.com.

Axon is a total compensation company, meaning compensation is made up of base pay, bonus, and stock awards. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: level, function, training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, geographic market, and often a combination of all these factors. Our benefits offer an array of options to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. To see more details on our benefits offerings please visit https://www.axon.com/careers.

Please note prior to proceeding: Axon will determine, in its sole discretion, whether to sponsor or continue sponsorship of any employment-based visa, including an H-1B petition, transfer, or extension, or other petition. Axon cannot guarantee that work authorization will be sought and reserves the right to withdraw this offer or terminate employment in the event that Axon determines not to or is unable to proceed with visa sponsorship. Any verbal or written commitment made by Axon regarding visa sponsorship is non-binding and may be changed at any time in Axon's sole discretion.

Due to the nature of Axon’s products and technology, certain job-related technical data is subject to U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In order for certain Non-U.S. Persons to access this technology/data, Axon must apply for and be issued a deemed export license from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Any Non-U.S. Person is subject to deemed export regulations except a Non-U.S. Person who (1) is granted U.S. Permanent Resident status, as demonstrated by the issuance of a permanent resident visa (i.e., Green Card)); or (2) is granted U.S. citizenship; or (3) is granted status as a protected person (i.e., Asylee or Refugee) under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medicinal or recreational purposes in the state where you reside.

The following questions apply only to an employee’s ability to access firearms in accordance with Reference 5.1, 18 U.SC. § 922(d), (g) and (n), Reference 5.7, 27 C.F.R. § 478.32. Answering dishonestly to any of the below questions may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Possession of firearms by Prohibited Possessors is a violation under U.S. federal law and can result in criminal penalties.

Please answer all questions below in a “Yes” or “No” format.