AI Machine Learning Developer Principal

SAIC • Chantilly, VA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

SAIC is seeking an AI/ML Developer Principal to join its Solutions and Technology Group and report to the Intel Space CTO. This matrixed role leads the creation, prototyping, and operationalization of AI/ML proof-of-concepts tailored to Intelligence Community mission use cases. The position supports multiple programs as a shared technical subject matter expert, balancing overlapping timelines, competing priorities, and changing delivery expectations. It is a hybrid opportunity for candidates in Chantilly or Reston, Virginia, and requires an active TS clearance with the ability to obtain TS/SCI.

The role rapidly designs, builds, and deploys high-fidelity, visual AI/ML prototypes—including generative AI/LLMs, NLP, computer vision, and predictive analytics—to address IC mission needs. Prototypes may be developed in unclassified environments or on-premises in a SCIF. The developer works with program leads and stakeholders to align prototypes with user workflows and emerging technical requirements.

The position also transitions sandboxed proof-of-concepts into secure, multi-tenant cloud environments such as AWS C2S and Azure Secret, as well as air-gapped networks. It involves building automated CI/CD pipelines, containerizing applications, and meeting federal software assurance and security standards. The developer coordinates technical work across programs and their overlapping deliverable timelines, negotiates schedules with Project Managers, conducts demonstrations for senior IC customers, and maintains reusable codebases and architectural documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline and 9+ years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree and 7 years of relevant experience.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Active TS clearance with the ability to obtain TS/SCI.
• 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 visual AI/ML prototypes for complex Intelligence Community mission needs, including generative AI/LLMs, NLP, computer vision, and predictive analytics.
• Align prototypes with real-world user workflows and emerging technical requirements in collaboration with program leads and stakeholders.
• Transition sandboxed proof-of-concepts into secure, multi-tenant cloud environments and air-gapped networks.
• Build automated CI/CD pipelines, containerize applications, and ensure compliance with federal software assurance and security standards.
• Divide technical execution across multiple active programs with overlapping deliverable timelines.
• Coordinate priorities and negotiate schedules 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