AI (ML) Engineer - Colorado Springs, CO
About The Position
Davidson is seeking an AI (ML) Engineer to support a fast-paced, innovative Missile Defense Agency program focused on creating advanced modeling and simulation, optimization, and AI capabilities for the Guam Defense System. The program brings together specialists in Modeling & Simulation, AI/Machine Learning, DevSecOps, and Cybersecurity. The engineer will develop AI/ML products that contribute to the program’s AI/ML strategy, support projects throughout their lifecycle, and communicate concepts and results to technical and non-technical audiences. The role involves close collaboration with data team members, functional subject-matter experts, software engineers, network security, DevOps, and other teams that use AI/ML products. The selected candidate must be able to work with little direct supervision, contribute to a product delivery team, and meet time-critical delivery schedules. Work will be performed at a contractor facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and at Schriever SFB. Limited travel of less than 10% of the time may be required to support program meetings.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 4 to 6+ years of relevant experience, or a master's degree and 3 years of experience.
- Fundamental understanding of AI/ML principles and experience supporting AI/ML projects from conception to deployment.
- Familiarity with deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and reinforcement learning.
- Experience with Large Language Models/Generative AI and prompt engineering, including using LLM/GAI solutions for human-machine teaming in software development.
- Algorithmic understanding of heuristic and black-box optimization approaches, such as Genetic Algorithms, Simulated Annealing, Bayesian Optimization, and Particle Swarm Optimization.
- Familiarity with Decision Trees, Random Forests, Support Vector Machines, Neural Networks, Convolutional Neural Networks, and Long Short-Term Memory models.
- Experience evaluating models using concepts such as cross-validation, drift monitoring, model cards, and bias/fairness testing.
- Familiarity with responsible AI/model governance.
- Proficiency in building optimization models in at least one of Python, C, or C++.
- Understanding of Python's common data stack, including NumPy, Pandas, and SciPy.
- Experience with Python ML frameworks such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch.
- Experience with collaborative programming tools such as Git and GitLab.
- Familiarity with Linux operating systems.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Self-motivated, with the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, collaborative team environment.
- Ability to travel on a limited basis, less than 10% of the time, for program meetings.
- Hold an active DoD Secret clearance at the time of application and be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
Nice To Haves
- 5+ years of relevant experience in Operations Research/Machine Learning.
- Demonstrable experience building ML models in Python.
- Experience with data manipulation and machine learning for large datasets.
- Experience with MLOps tools such as Kubeflow, MLflow, and DVC.
- Knowledge of modern application development, including containerization with Docker/Kubernetes.
- Demonstrable experience applying analytical and programming skills to optimization problems.
- Strong algorithmic understanding of classical optimization techniques, such as linear programming and gradient descent.
- Familiarity with Agile processes and development methodology.
- Familiarity with cloud computing platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.
Responsibilities
- Serve as an AI Engineer on a team creating multiple AI/ML projects and the development and training environment in which they are created.
- Collaborate closely with data team members and functional subject-matter experts.
- Develop advanced optimization models to enhance customer products.
- Train models and algorithms within a software product as part of a cross-functional team.
- Support the full lifecycle of AI/ML projects, from problem definition and data collection through model development, deployment, and monitoring.
- Design, develop, and implement AI/ML models and algorithms using appropriate tools and techniques.
- Test and validate AI/ML models to ensure quality and accuracy.
- Collaborate with software engineering, network security, and DevOps teams to deploy models into production environments.
- Monitor model performance in production and identify areas for improvement.
- Communicate AI/ML concepts and results to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Coordinate with multiple teams that will use AI/ML products.
- Work with the AI/ML Lead to define problem statements and success metrics for AI/ML products.
- Experiment with innovative theories, ideas, and concepts.
- Self-organize and participate in an Agile development lifecycle.
- Ask questions, build consensus, and collaborate within a cross-functional team.
- Provide design input and help decompose, estimate, and refine backlog requirements.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
