AI Machine Learning Developer Principal

SAIC • Chantilly, VA

8h • Hybrid

About The Position

SAIC is seeking a principal AI/ML developer to join its Solutions and Technology Group and report to the Intel Space CTO. In this matrixed role, the developer leads the creation, prototyping, and operationalization of AI/ML proof of concepts for Intelligence Community mission use cases. The role supports multiple programs and requires balancing competing priorities, timelines, and delivery expectations. The position is a hybrid opportunity for candidates in Chantilly or Reston, Virginia, with travel of 10% of the time. Candidates must have an active Top Secret clearance and be able to obtain TS/SCI clearance.

The developer rapidly designs, builds, and deploys high-fidelity, visual prototypes involving generative AI and large language models, natural language processing, computer vision, and predictive analytics. Prototypes may be developed on unclassified systems or on-premises in a SCIF. The role also transitions prototypes into secure, multi-tenant cloud environments and air-gapped networks, builds automated CI/CD pipelines, containerizes applications, and supports compliance with federal software assurance and security standards. The developer coordinates execution and schedules across programs, demonstrates solutions to senior Intelligence Community customers, and maintains reusable code and architectural documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline and 9 or more years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree and 7 years of relevant experience.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Active Top Secret clearance and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.
• Proficiency in Python and software engineering practices, including Git version control, unit testing, and clean code architectures.
• Hands-on experience developing machine learning models using frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow and handling structured and unstructured data.

Nice To Haves

• Experience deploying AI/ML models in secure, multi-tenant cloud environments such as AWS C2S/SC2S or Azure Government, or in air-gapped networks.
• Familiarity with MLOps and orchestration platforms such as MLflow, Kubeflow, Apache Airflow, or Triton Inference Server.
• Experience using lightweight frontend tools such as Streamlit or Gradio to build functional, interactive demonstration interfaces.
• Familiarity with Intelligence Community missions.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and deploy high-fidelity AI/ML prototypes for complex Intelligence Community mission needs, including generative AI/LLMs, NLP, computer vision, and predictive analytics.
• Collaborate with program leads and stakeholders to align prototypes with user workflows and evolving technical requirements.
• Transition proof-of-concept systems into secure multi-tenant cloud environments and air-gapped networks.
• Build automated CI/CD pipelines, containerize applications, and support compliance with federal software assurance and security standards.
• Divide technical execution across multiple programs with overlapping deliverable timelines.
• Coordinate schedules and priorities with multiple Project Managers to meet high-priority milestones.
• Conduct live technical demonstrations for senior Intelligence Community customers.
• Maintain clean, reusable codebases and architectural documentation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal