Senior AI Engineer / Software Developer - TS/SCI with Polygraph

Description

Lead AI and machine learning work on mission systems that run on classified networks, as a hands-on technical lead.

You will set the architecture, governance alignment and engineering standards for AI features across the program, and build a small team over time.

You will work with program leadership, government stakeholders and security accreditation authorities to deliver AI features that are effective, auditable and compliant in a high-side environment.

The company is a global technology and professional services firm serving US government, defense and intelligence agencies, with about 26,000 staff across 50+ countries.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and maintain AI-enabled applications and services in air-gapped and government cloud environments.
• Deploy, serve and tune LLMs and ML models on-premises or in accredited cloud enclaves, without relying on external APIs.
• Build retrieval-augmented generation pipelines and embedding workflows over controlled data, applying data handling and classification controls.
• Put the program's AI governance framework into practice: model capability tiering, use-case approval, rules of engagement and audit logging.
• Support accreditation work, including engaging the Authorizing Official, providing RMF documentation inputs and gathering responsible AI evidence.
• Build and tune data pipelines that feed AI features, and integrate them with existing program systems and workflows.
• Set code quality, testing and documentation standards for the AI engineering function, and mentor mid-level developers as the team grows.
• Present the technical approach and results to program leadership and government customers.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI with polygraph to start.
• Security+CE or another IAT Level II or higher certification, required to start.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years of related experience, with skills in AI, ML and Python automation.
• 8+ years of professional software development, or 6+ with a relevant advanced degree, including 3+ years building or integrating ML/AI.
• Expert-level Python, plus working proficiency in at least one other language such as JavaScript/TypeScript or Java.
• Hands-on experience deploying or serving LLMs or ML models in disconnected, on-premises or government cloud environments such as Azure Government, AWS GovCloud or equivalent.
• Production experience with model inference, embeddings, vector search and prompt engineering.
• Experience with containerization (Docker/Kubernetes or equivalent) and CI/CD in restricted environments.
• Solid grasp of data security, classification handling and responsible AI practice.
• Proven record of working directly with government customers and turning mission needs into technical solutions.
• US citizenship required.
• Preferred: experience supporting RMF accreditation or AO engagement for AI/ML systems.
• Preferred: familiarity with open-weight model deployment such as Llama or Mistral, and with quantization and optimization for constrained hardware.
• Preferred: experience with ML frameworks, PyTorch preferred.
• Preferred: prior work on IC or DoD programs; NRO experience is a significant plus.
• Preferred: experience standing up or leading a small engineering team.

Conditions

Regular, onsite role in Chantilly, Virginia, USA, with 40 scheduled hours a week and no travel required.

The likely salary range is $164,382 to $218,500. This is not a guarantee; pay is set by experience, geographic location and possibly contract terms, and could fall outside this range.

Hiring includes an identity verification using advanced biometrics and AI to confirm authenticity and prevent fraud. You must be on camera during virtual interviews, and the company may take your picture for verification. By proceeding, you authorize use of your biometric data for identity verification and security.

Equal opportunity employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Benefits

• Medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, plus dental and vision plans for all US-based employees.
• 401(k) with pre- and post-tax contributions up to IRS annual limits and a company match.
• Full flex work weeks where possible, plus vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave.
• Short- and long-term disability, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness, and business travel and accident insurance, provided or available.
• AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities.
• An internal mobility team to help you reach your career goals.
• Competitive pay and paid time off.