NIWC - Undergraduate II (Junior/Senior): Generative AI Project (Task No 5308-2509)

Overview

The hourly rate for this position is $17.25 for Undergraduate II and $19.28 for Undergraduate III and is non-negotiable. 

Under general supervision, incumbents must have course work in the discipline requested on the task order Statement of Work.

This Statement of Work covers the need for student services to develop software and computer-based solutions for Generative AI Vision Movie Production and Storyboarding. The technical objective is to develop a process and workflow for Generative AI Storyboarding for Center applications: Apply Generative AI Storyboarding to create storyboards for Vision Movie production, apply Generative AI Storyboarding to create Use Case (UX/UI) Storyboards for Center projects and apply Generative AI Storyboarding to create planning storyboards and visuals for Tactical Planning using AMPT.

In FY24 the GEN AI for Vision Movie Production project completed a survey of commercial and open-source in an ongoing effort to gain efficiencies in the areas of Center movie production, Center project proposal presentations, use case creation, and visuals creation for tactical planning. The survey focused on open-source solutions that can be hosted and maintained locally via commercial cloud solutions. The tradeoffs for commercial cloud solutions are they are easier to use and can produce higher quality content, but with less precise control of the final product. Open­source hosted locally adds greater security and offers more fme control, but video quality is lagging. Locally trained AI models require custom hardware to be purchased, installed, maintained and updated. For FY24 the GEN AI for Vision Movie Production created the following products: specific Image and Video workflows, general movie Creation workflow, initial storyboard Workflow, and sample vision content. FY25 goals include the expansion of the generative AI tools to improve the movie storyboards, support projects for use/case development, creation of planning visuals and aid in execution plan for Center movie.

Responsibilities

Duties will include the following:

• Assist with installation, design, development, implementation, training, testing, and evaluation of Large Language Models, Diffusion Models, and Generative Video Models.
• Assist with installation, design, development, implementation and evaluation of front-end AI rendering tool(s).
• Assist with computer hardware design, set up, test, and evaluation including memory installation, graphics card installation, performance benchmarking, maintenance, and tradeoffs.
• Assist with developing software scripts to improve efficiency of AI generation process.
• Assist with commercial software and hardware solutions to improve GEN Al production environment.
• Assist with design, development of custom Al plugins for both LLM and generative capabilities.

Qualifications

The student must be at the Junior or Senior level and have experience in 50% of the task requirements and be able to accomplish 50% of the work independently. Is not required to be an SDSU Student.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Under Graduate Level 2: Computer Engineering major preferred; relevant majors such as Computer Science and Software Engineering be suitable given relevant coursework and/or work experience.
• Under Graduate Level 3: Computer Engineering major preferred; relevant majors such as Computer Science and Software Engineering be suitable given relevant coursework and/or work experience.

Required Coursework and/or relevant work and/or laboratory experience:

• Object Oriented Programming
• Data Structures & Algorithms
• Problem Solving w/ Computers
• Discrete Mathematics for CS

Desired Coursework and/or relevant work and/or laboratory experience:

• Digital circuit design and analysis
• Linear Algebra for Machine Learning
• Multivariable & Vector Calculus
• Operating Systems
• Small-signal analysis, operational amplifiers, MOSFETs

Additional Qualifications Desired:

• Experience training Large Language Models, Diffusion Models, and Generative Video Models
• Experience with ComfyUI, LM Studio
• Experience using Python and/or C++ (both preferred)
• Experience with microcontrollers (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32) and breadboard-based circuits ( or similar)
• Experience with Github or other version control tool and version control principles
• Experience with installing, upgrading, maintaining, and benchmarking computer hardware and software.
• Experience with multithreaded programming
• Comfortable with working independently, in group settings, and as a leader
• Flexible with learning new programming languages based on project needs
• Experience in deploying software.
• 3 .0+ GP A preferred

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

• This position will require the employee to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance
• Due to the regulations established by the Department of Defense, only US Citizens may qualify
• This is a student position and is limited to working 20 hours per week
• This position will remain open until filled
• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.