Senior AI/ML Engineer

Ignite Digital•Chesapeake, VA

2d•$150,000

About The Position

Ignite Digital is seeking a Senior AI/ML Engineer to support a U.S. Navy program in the Norfolk, Virginia area. The engineer will design, develop, and deploy secure AI/ML models and intelligent automation capabilities for Navy operational workloads, readiness analytics, enterprise data harmonization, training systems, and decision-intelligence platforms. The role calls for deep technical expertise, mission orientation, and experience in Department of War (DoW) classified environments. The engineer will deliver end-to-end data science workflows and secure cloud-native pipelines, while implementing model governance and audit controls aligned with Navy security requirements. The role involves working with Forward Deployed Engineers, data engineers, DevSecOps teams, cybersecurity teams, and Navy mission stakeholders to operationalize AI/ML capabilities and support analytics and decision-support systems. An active DoW SECRET clearance is required. Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Requirements

At least 7 years of hands-on experience in AI/ML model development and data engineering.
Proficiency with Python, SQL, cloud services such as Azure and AWS GovCloud, and AI/ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Scikit-learn.
Experience building and deploying ML models in secure DoD/IC environments.
Experience supporting Navy, NAVWAR, NIWC, or related Defense organizations.
Understanding of DevSecOps pipelines, CI/CD, security scanning, and automated deployment.
Excellent communication skills and ability to work with mission users and technical SMEs.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field.
Active DoW SECRET clearance required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field preferred.
Experience with Snowflake AI Data Cloud, Cortex AI, Databricks, or Advana/Jupiter platforms.
Experience supporting Navy training systems, HR modernization pipelines, readiness analytics, or C4I environments.
Familiarity with SCCA cloud environments, Flank Speed integration patterns, and role-based access controls.
Experience with semantic layer development, analytics pipelines, or operational decision-support systems.

Responsibilities

Architect, build, and deploy AI/ML models within DoW-aligned IL4/IL5 environments.
Execute end-to-end data science workflows, including data ingestion, cleansing, feature engineering, model development, optimization, validation, and production deployment.
Develop secure cloud-native pipelines using Azure ML, Snowflake Cortex AI, Databricks, or similar platforms aligned with Navy standards.
Implement model governance, versioning, lineage, and audit controls consistent with Navy security requirements.
Work with Forward Deployed Engineers, data engineers, DevSecOps teams, and Navy mission stakeholders to operationalize AI/ML capabilities.
Support automation of analytics workflows, dashboards, semantic layers, and predictive modeling functions for operational decision support.
Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure compliance with Navy security, classification, SCIF procedures, and DD254 requirements.
Document technical artifacts and contribute to iterative prototyping cycles used across Navy portfolios.