8+ years of software engineering experience, particularly in AI or ML deployment.
Proficient in Python with experience in REST APIs and LLM provider interfaces.
Demonstrated experience building RAG pipelines or agent workflows in production.
Responsibilities
Build and integrate secure AI gateway services including APIs and usage controls.
Develop applications and workflows using retrieval-augmented generation and related protocols.
Enforce identity, authorization, and policy controls while maintaining audit trails.
Evaluate model and agent behavior, focusing on security and data integrity.
Demonstrate capabilities to mission users and incorporate their feedback into future releases.
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance starting on your first day, with 90% coverage by Apavo effective January 1, 2027.
401(k) plan with a 3.5% employer match starting January 1, 2027.
20 days of paid time off plus 11 paid federal holidays.
Up to $3,000 annually for training and certification reimbursement.
Parking reimbursement available.
Full Job Description
About the Role
Apavo is hiring AI Engineers to build and integrate secure AI capabilities for an Intelligence Community mission. You'll work on site with government users and a cross-functional engineering team to take AI tools from prototype to operational use.
What You'll Do
Build and integrate secure AI gateway services: model-provider APIs, model routing, request validation, rate limiting, and usage and cost controls.
Develop agentic applications and workflows using retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), the Model Context Protocol (MCP), and schema-validated tool calls.
Enforce identity, authorization, and policy controls, and maintain audit trails and request tracing.
Evaluate model and agent behavior, including prompt-injection and data-leakage testing, guardrails, and redaction.
Demonstrate capabilities to mission users and fold their feedback into the next release.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
Active TS/SCI clearance.
8+ years of software engineering, including hands-on work deploying AI or ML capabilities.
Strong Python and experience with REST APIs and LLM provider interfaces.
Experience building RAG pipelines or agent workflows in production.
Preferred Qualifications
Current on-site work in an IC customer space, with active account access.
Experience in IL4 or classified environments.
Containers, Kubernetes or OpenShift, and secure software development practices.
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance starting on your first day, with Apavo covering 90% effective January 1, 2027.
401(k) with a 3.5% employer match, starting January 1, 2027.
20 days of paid time off plus 11 paid federal holidays.
Up to $3,000 a year in training and certification reimbursement.
