Research Engineer II
University of Southern California
Arlington, VA · Posted May 4, 2026
Just laid off? Start here: a plan for the first weeks
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Where Arlington, VA ranks
Where Arlington, VA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best cities for education pay after cost of living$124k · of 8
- #2Best all-round cities for AI careers in the Southeast89 / 100 · of 33
- #3Best cities for government pay after cost of living$140k · of 18
- #3Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Mid-Atlantic456 openings · of 68
- #4Best cities for aerospace and defense pay after cost of living$152k · of 19
- #4Best cities for AI-skill jobs in the Southeast14% · of 87
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among mechanical engineers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for mechanical engineers: 8% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
University of Southern California has filed 10 layoff notices in the last twelve months, covering 65 workers, most recently September 2026. These are public filings with state labor departments, and an open role can sit alongside them. See the filings
Skills this job asks for
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About the job
Implements technical solutions to novel research problems. Collaborates with more senior research staff to transform research ideas into implemented solutions. Contributes to larger team efforts in implementing research prototypes. Contributes to documentation and publications as needed. Independently develops parts of a larger system. Proposes approaches to problems and methods for implementing solutions using state-of-the-art tools. Divides project-level goals into smaller tasks to be addressed by researchers. Initiates the design, development and implementation of technology research projects. Investigates the feasibility of applying scientific principles and concepts to potential inventions and products. Plans and executes applied research. Maintains substantial knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories, and may contribute to scientific literature and conferences.
The annual base salary range for this position is $124,000 - $140,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
Minimum Education: Master's degree
Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 5 years
Minimum Skills: Knowledge of one or more relevant programming languages (e.g., Python, C++, Goolang). Experience with Linux. Experience with Virtual LAN and/or Virtual Extensible LAN. Experience with Melanox Switches. Experience with SDN programming. Experience with Ansible, Bash and Nagios. Experience with Prometheus. Familiarity with and Simple Network Management Protocol. Experience with applicable IT protocols (e.g., Border Gateway Protocol, Secure Shell, Transport Layer Security). Experience with iptables and Network File System. Position requires U.S. citizen with active Top Secret (TS) clearance and SCI eligibility. Preferred Education: Master's degree
Preferred Experience: 7 years Preferred Skills: Proven leadership ability. Experience in a university environment. Experience with artificial intelligence, very large-scale integration design, machine learning, deep learning (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, HuggingFace), and Dockerization.
USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu . Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
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