SAIC

AI Machine Learning Developer Principal

SAIC$160K — $200K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering or related field
  • 9+ years relevant experience (or 7 years with a Master's degree)
  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Active TS/SCI clearance or ability to upgrade
  • Proficiency in Python and software engineering practices
  • Experience with AI/ML frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow

Responsibilities

  • Design and build high-fidelity AI/ML prototypes for Intelligence Community missions
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure prototypes meet user workflows
  • Transition PoCs to secure cloud environments and air-gapped networks
  • Build CI/CD pipelines and ensure compliance with federal standards
  • Divide technical execution across multiple active programs
  • Negotiate timelines with Project Managers to meet milestones
  • Conduct live technical demos for senior customers and maintain documentation

Benefits

  • Hybrid work opportunity, open to candidates in Chantilly or NOVA
  • Access to cutting-edge AI/ML technology
  • Dynamic role supporting multiple high-impact programs
  • Opportunity to lead and innovate within a matrixed environment
  • Engagement with senior-level stakeholders in the Intelligence Community
Full Job Description
Job Description

Description

We are seeking to build a team of AI/ML Developers to join our Solutions and Technology Group, reporting to the Intel Space CTO. In this matrixed role, you will lead the creation, prototyping, and operationalization of cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) Proof of Concepts (PoCs) specifically tailored for Intelligence Community (IC) mission use cases.

This is a dynamic, high-impact set of positions supporting multiple programs. You will operate as a shared technical subject matter expert, balancing intermixed timelines, competing program priorities, and evolving delivery expectations. The ideal candidates excels at rapid prototyping, taking complex concepts and turning them into functional demonstrations. This is a hybrid opportunity and are open to candidates in Chantilly or NOVA. Candidates must have an active TS/SCI clearance.

1. Rapid PoC & Demo Prototyping (40%)
  • Design & Build: Rapidly design, build, and deploy high-fidelity, visual AI/ML prototypes (GenAI/LLMs, NLP, computer vision, predictive analytics) to address complex IC mission needs. The PoCs can be either on the unclassified side or on-prem in a SCIF.
  • Mission Alignment: Collaborate with program leads and stakeholders to align prototypes with real-world user workflows and emerging technical requirements.
2. Operationalization & MLOps Integration (30%)
  • Secure Deployment: Transition sandboxed PoCs into secure, multi-tenant cloud environments (AWS C2S, Azure Secret) and air-gapped networks.
  • Pipeline Engineering: Build automated CI/CD pipelines, containerize applications, and ensure compliance with federal software assurance and security standards.
3. Matrixed Program Support & Timeline Management (20%)
  • Cross-Program Execution: Successfully divide technical execution across multiple active programs with distinct, overlapping deliverable timelines.
  • Priority Coordination: Proactively negotiate schedules with multiple Project Managers to ensure all high-priority milestones are met.
4. Technical Communication & Stakeholder Engagement (10%)
  • Demos & Docs: Conduct compelling live technical demonstrations for senior IC customers and maintain clean, reusable codebases and architectural documentation.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 9+ years of relevant experience; OR Master's degree with 7 years of relevant experience.
  • Candidates must be U.S. Citizens
  • Clearance: Active TS/SCI (or ability to immediately upgrade from TS if SCI was held within the last 3 years).
  • Programming Skills: Proficiency in Python and software engineering practices (version control with Git, unit testing, clean code architectures)
  • Foundational AI/ML Frameworks: Hands-on experience developing ML models using frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow, and handling structured/unstructured data.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience deploying AI/ML models in secure, multi-tenant cloud environments (e.g., AWS C2S / SC2S, Azure Government) or air-gapped networks.
  • Familiarity with MLOps and orchestration platforms (e.g., MLflow, Kubeflow, Apache Airflow, Triton Inference Server).
  • Experience using lightweight frontend tools (e.g., Streamlit, Gradio) to build functional, interactive user interfaces for demonstrations.
  • Familiarity with IC missions

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

Overview

SAIC accepts applications on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.

About SAIC

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is a technology integrator in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets. SAIC has approximately 26,000 employees and operates in more than 70 countries. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia. SAIC provides services to the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense, the intelligence community, and civilian agencies. The company also serves commercial customers in the healthcare, energy, and financial services sectors.
Learn more about SAIC
Size
26,000 employees
Market Cap
$6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$206 million
Founded
1969
5 Year Trend
+10.7%
Revenue
$6.8 billion
NASDAQ

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