Supervisory AI/ML Engineer

Summary

The Supervisory Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) Engineer serves as the agency's senior supervisory data scientist leading 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

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This position is officially titled Supervisory Data Scientist (Artificial Intelligence). The working title is Supervisory AI/ML Engineer. The Supervisory AI/ML Engineer is directly responsible for the end-to-end data science lifecycle from problem framing and experiments design through data curation, model development, validation, and interpretability, producing statistically rigorous insights that help to shape agency policy and enforcement prioritization and improves detection accuracy.

Work reflects expertise in statistical learning, algorithmic innovation, and causal inference, applying advanced methods to varied structured/unstructured sources at scale. The incumbent leads a team that builds AI agents that operationalize safety analytics using tools such as Microsoft Copilot Studio, Python agents, and retrieval pipelines to accelerate triage and decision flow. Integrates agents with APIs, event streams, dashboards, and case management systems to reduce cycle time from signal to action and support proactive hazard detection. Serves as a technical expert on data science principles and concepts to construct data fusion products that merge data from multiple systems. Maintains state of the art knowledge of AI/ML development through close contact with industry and other federal activities; participates in AI/ML working groups, communities of practice, and CPSC or governmentwide forums.

The Supervisory AI/ML Engineer:

• Leads and defines the agency's data science research agenda for hazard detection and product risk modeling; establishes methodological standards, reproducibility protocols, and peer review processes.
• Leads large-scale, analytically intensive data science program through advanced data science methodologies, statistical modeling, and applied ML. Helps to transform hazard detection processes by replacing manual systems with automated data-driven approaches capable of evaluating high-volume, high-velocity datasets.
• Leads the design and implementation of advanced technical solutions (e.g. supervised / unsupervised, Natural Language Processing (NLP), deep learning, agent native and opensource generative pretrained transformers (GPTs), and multiagent orchestration) to extract actionable insights, rigorously evaluate model performance, and enhance product safety decision making. The role emphasizes data quality, performance, and interoperability in modern cloud environments (Azure), enabling the Commission's strategic acceleration toward a proactive product safety operating model.
• Ensures strong cross functional collaboration to advance organizational priorities and deliver the CPSC mission.
• Leads data storytelling that transforms complex data and model outputs into clear narratives, decision briefs, and visual analytics (dashboards, reports) for technical and nontechnical audiences; and surfaces foresights by identifying leading indicators, signals, and trends; perform scenario analysis and "what-if" simulations to anticipate emerging hazards and shorten time to intervention.
• Communicates uncertainty, assumptions, and limitations to senior leaders and horizontal agency offices; connects insights to current internal and external policy, enforcement, and program impacts; and serves as a architect and implements end-to-end ML pipelines, including data ingestion, preprocessing, model training, evaluation, and deployment. Implements model monitoring (drift, data/feature quality, bias, and business KPIs), alerting, and automated rollback to keep systems safe and responsive.
• Designs high quality data pipelines (ingest, transform, validate) across structured and unstructured sources; enforces data contracts, lineage, and documentation. Partners with analytics teams to make datasets discoverable and performant for iterative model development.
• Mentors and guides junior AI/ML engineers through structured coaching, technical reviews, and career development support. Provides hands-on supervision in designing ML pipelines, coding best practices, and responsible AI principles. Fosters a learning culture by organizing knowledge-sharing sessions, pair programming, and code walkthroughs. Sets clear expectations, provides actionable feedback, and ensures alignment with agency standards for quality, security, and compliance. Encourages innovation while maintaining rigor in documentation, reproducibility, and governance artifacts. Drives adoption and change management.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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.

Depending on your status, this position may require serving a 1-year supervisory probationary period.

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.

Qualifications

In addition to the mandatory education requirement, all applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

GS-15: 1) Experience leading and overseeing enterprise scale AI/ML and advanced analytics programs; 2) directing the end to end data science lifecycle (data engineering, modeling, validation, deployment, monitoring); 3) modernizing cloud native analytical ecosystems; 4) applying AI/ML to detect risks, hazards, early indicators, signals, or emerging trends; and 5) with supervisory or senior technical leadership improving mission outcomes in complex public safety or operational environments.

Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position by the closing date of this announcement.

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.

Additional information

CPSC provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/[redacted]5-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information).

Payment of relocation expenses is NOT authorized.

All the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work.

Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

As a condition of employment, the selectee must reside in the local commuting area of the duty station listed in this announcement. Proof of residence may be required.

Must meet the criteria requirement for the pre-employment waiver and/or a favorable suitability determination within a reasonable period of time, otherwise the employment offer may be withdrawn.

CPSC headquarters employees (Bethesda, MD) will be relocating to 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC. This position will transition to the new location upon completion of the move. The transition is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Applicants should be aware that acceptance of this position includes the requirement to report to the new location once the relocation is finalized.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

CPSC offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: paid vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays per year, life and health insurance, Long Term Care insurance, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending account program, and retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan).

CPSC also offers a broad array of work-life flexibilities and services to employees such as, flexible work schedules, transit subsidies, fitness center, and employee assis