AI Machine Learning Developer Principal

SAIC • Reston, VA

11h • Hybrid

About The Position

SAIC is seeking Principal AI/ML Developers for its Solutions and Technology Group. Reporting 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 role supports multiple programs as a shared technical subject matter expert, balancing competing priorities, timelines, and delivery expectations. Candidates should be adept at rapidly translating complex concepts into functional demonstrations. This is a hybrid opportunity for candidates in Chantilly or Reston, Virginia. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and hold an active TS clearance with the ability to obtain TS/SCI.

The position involves rapidly building high-fidelity visual prototypes in areas such as generative AI and large language models, natural language processing, computer vision, and predictive analytics. Prototypes may be developed in unclassified settings or on-premises in a SCIF. The developer aligns prototypes with user workflows and mission requirements, then transitions suitable solutions into secure cloud environments or air-gapped networks. The role also supports CI/CD pipeline development, containerization, security compliance, cross-program execution, technical demonstrations, 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 TS clearance and 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 on air-gapped networks.
• Familiarity with MLOps and orchestration platforms such as MLflow, Kubeflow, Apache Airflow, or Triton Inference Server.
• Experience with 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 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 emerging technical requirements.
• Transition sandboxed proofs-of-concept 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 timelines and deliverables.
• Coordinate schedules with multiple Project Managers to meet high-priority milestones.
• Conduct live technical demonstrations for senior Intelligence Community customers.
• Maintain reusable codebases and architectural documentation.

What This Job Offers

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