{"id":3495423,"url":"https://alion.io/job/usaa-ai-ops-research-engineer-mid-level","title":"AI Ops Research Engineer-Mid -Level","company":{"id":4683,"name":"USAA","domain":"usaa.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/usaa","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":100,"open_postings":18,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.056,"repost_share":0.056,"time_to_fill_p50_days":9,"computed_at":"2026-11-05T05:54:30Z"}},"role":"AI/ML","role_family":"AI/ML","seniority":"middle","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["San Antonio, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":93770,"max":168790,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":168790},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":4,"visa_sponsorship":true,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"AI Agents","optional":false},{"name":"AIOps","optional":false},{"name":"Anomaly Detection","optional":false},{"name":"Dynatrace","optional":false},{"name":"Grafana","optional":false},{"name":"Incident Management","optional":false},{"name":"LLM","optional":false},{"name":"Machine Learning","optional":false},{"name":"OpenTelemetry","optional":false},{"name":"Path Planning","optional":false},{"name":"Prometheus","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"PyTorch","optional":false},{"name":"Scikit-learn","optional":false},{"name":"TensorFlow","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-29T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-29","last_verified_at":"2026-11-05T06:55:42Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":7,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":7},"description":"Why USAA?\nAt USAA, our mission is to empower our members to achieve financial security through highly competitive products, exceptional service and trusted advice. We seek to be the #1 choice for the military community and their families.\nEmbrace a fulfilling career at USAA, where our core values - honesty, integrity, loyalty and service - define how we treat each other and our members. Be part of what truly makes us special and impactful.\nWe are proud to support active-duty military spouses. USAA roles may offer remote or hybrid flexibility for active-duty military spouses consistent with applicable policy and business needs.\nThe Opportunity\nWe are seeking a dedicated AI Operations Research Engineer-Mid -Level. The AI Operations Research Engineer conducts applied research and experimentation to identify and advance emerging AI capabilities for Application and Infrastructure Operations. The role monitors industry trends, AI/ML research, open-source technologies, and vendor capabilities, translating promising developments into prototypes and evidence-based recommendations.\nThis hands-on role explores machine learning, generative AI, agentic AI, predictive operations, intelligent observability, and automation to determine which capabilities can improve reliability, resilience, incident management, and operational efficiency. Success is measured by turning emerging technology into validated opportunities that can inform product and engineering investment.\nThis position will be based in San Antonio; TX and offers a flexible working environment with an on-site requirement of5 days per week. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.\nWhat you'll do:\nResearch emerging AI, AIOps, observability, automation, and industry trends to identify technologies and approaches with potential value for Application and Infrastructure Operations.\nTranslate operational challenges and emerging technologies into research hypotheses, experiments, prototypes, and measurable evaluation criteria.\nEvaluate machine learning, generative AI, agentic AI, predictive analytics, anomaly detection, root-cause analysis, and intelligent automation for operational use cases.\nDevelop rigorous evaluation and testing methods to assess accuracy, reliability, scalability, failure modes, production readiness, and business value.\nTranslate validated research into technical recommendations and production opportunities, identifying which capabilities should advance, be refined, or be discontinued.\nCommunicate research findings and recommendations to engineering, product, risk, and leadership stakeholders, including key opportunities, limitations, risks, and investment considerations.\nWhat You Have:\nBachelor's degree in a STEM or Business field with applied quantitative or behavioral research fields; OR 4 years of relevant education and/or experience.\n4+ years of experience in applied research, AI/ML, data science, software engineering, operations research, or related technical fields.\nStrong programming and analytical skills using Python and relevant AI/ML or data-analysis tools.\nExperience designing experiments, developing prototypes, analyzing results, and making evidence-based recommendations.\nWorking knowledge of machine learning, statistical analysis, generative AI, and LLM concepts.\nAbility to rapidly evaluate emerging technologies and distinguish technical potential from production readiness.\nStrong written and verbal communication skills, including communicating complex findings to technical and nontechnical audiences.\nKnowledge of AI governance, model risk, data management, privacy, security, or operational risk principles.\nWhat Sets You Apart:\nExperience applying AI/ML to AIOps, observability, reliability engineering, infrastructure operations, or incident management.\nExperience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or scikit-learn.\nExperience researching or prototyping generative AI, agentic AI, or autonomous operations capabilities.\nExperience building AI evaluation frameworks, including model comparisons, benchmarks, regression testing, and failure-mode analysis.\nFamiliarity with AIOps and observability technologies such as Dynatrace, BigPanda, Moogsoft, OpenTelemetry, Prometheus, or Grafana.\nExperience evaluating emerging AI technology in a regulated or highly controlled environment.\nDemonstrated success transitioning research or prototypes into engineering roadmaps or production-development initiatives\nCompensation range: The salary range for this position is: $93,770- $168,790.\nUSAA does not provide visa sponsorship for this role. Please do not apply for this role if at any time (now or in the future) you will need immigration support (i.e., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT Training Plans, etc.).\nCompensation: USAA has an effective process for assessing market data and establishing ranges to ensure we remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range based on your experience and market data of the position. The actual salary for this role may vary by location.\nEmployees may be eligible for pay incentives based on overall corporate and individual performance and at the discretion of the USAA Board of Directors.\nThe above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.\nBenefits: At USAA our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellness. These benefits include comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, 401(k), pension, life insurance, parental benefits, adoption assistance, paid time off program with paid holidays plus 16 paid volunteer hours, and various wellness programs. Additionally, our career path planning and continuing education assists employees with their professional goals.\nFor more details on our outstanding benefits, visit our benefits page on USAAjobs.com.\nApplications for this position are accepted on an ongoing basis, this posting will remain open until the position is filled. Thus, interested candidates are encouraged to apply the same day they view this posting.\nUSAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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