Generative AI Specialist / AI & ML Developer

Peraton

• $135K — $216K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical field with at least 5 years of experience; an additional 4 years can substitute for a degree.
  • 3 years in software development or data science, with a minimum of 2 years focused on generative AI, LLMs, or NLP.
  • Hands-on experience with foundation models like GPT 4, Claude, and Gemini.
  • Strong skills in Python and familiarity with frameworks such as LangChain and Hugging Face.
  • Experience building retrieval augmented generation (RAG) systems using vector databases.
  • Cloud experience with AWS or Azure and deploying AI models in production environments.
  • Understanding of AI safety practices including bias mitigation and hallucination detection.

Responsibilities

  • Design and optimize generative AI solutions using advanced models like GPT 4/5 and Azure OpenAI.
  • Implement agentic LLM architectures with structured outputs and various AI workflows.
  • Build and maintain prompt libraries and QA pipelines for defense-grade AI content.
  • Integrate generative AI into existing platforms ensuring compatibility with DoD systems.
  • Research emerging generative AI techniques for operational effectiveness.
  • Translate operational requirements into deployable AI solutions to support government operations.
  • Document novel techniques and workflows potentially constituting intellectual property.

Benefits

  • Work on high-impact research and development initiatives in AI.
  • Opportunity to influence the defense AI landscape directly.
  • Access to advanced generative AI technologies and tools.
  • Potential for engaging in overseas travel related to project needs.
Full Job Description
Responsibilities

Peraton is hiring: Generative AI Specialist / AI & ML Developer.

 

Location: On-site, Annapolis Junction / Jessup, MD

 

Required: U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI with Poly security clearance. 

 

Additional Requirement: Current, valid U.S. passport (potential OCONUS travel)

 

About the Role:

Peraton is seeking an experienced Generative AI Specialist to support high-impact Internal Research and Development (IRAD) initiatives focused on AI/ML-driven platforms for Operations in the Information Environment (OIE).

  • This role is central to delivering advanced generative AI capabilities supporting COCOM information operations across CENTCOM, NORTHCOM, INDOPACOM, AFRICOM, and EUCOM.
  • You will drive innovation in LLMs, agentic AI workflows, and generative AI application development—directly influencing Peraton’s competitive position in the defense AI landscape.

In this role, you will:

  • Design and optimize generative AI solutions using GPT 4/5, Claude, Gemini, and Azure OpenAI, including prompt engineering, fine-tuning, and retrieval augmented generation (RAG).
  • Implement agentic LLM architectures with structured outputs (JSON/GeoJSON), chain-of-thought/chain-of-debate methods, and multi-agent orchestration.
  • Build and maintain prompt libraries, evaluation frameworks, and QA pipelines for defense-grade AI content.
  • Integrate generative AI into existing platforms via documented APIs, ensuring interoperability with DoD systems (Maven, C2IE, IRIS).
  • Research emerging generative AI techniques (multimodal models, synthetic data generation, AI-assisted analysis for information operations).
  • Translate COCOM operational requirements into deployable AI solutions; support TTX events and platform demonstrations.
  • Implement Responsible AI practices including bias detection, validation, hallucination mitigation, and HITL workflows.
  • Support MVP-aligned milestone delivery, contributing to TRL progression and ROI measurement.
  • Document novel prompting techniques, model configurations, and workflows that may constitute IP or trade secrets.

 

 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field and minimum of 5 years relevant experience. An additional 4 years of experience may substitute for the bachelor's degree.
  • Minimum of 3 years in software development or data science, including 2+ years focused on generative AI, LLMs, or NLP.
  • Hands-on experience with foundation models (GPT 4, Claude, Gemini, Llama, Mistral) including prompt engineering, few-shot learning, fine-tuning, and API integration.
  • Strong Python skills; experience with LangChain, LlamaIndex, Hugging Face, OpenAI/Anthropic APIs.
  • Experience building RAG systems using vector databases (Pinecone, Weaviate, ChromaDB, pgvector).
  • Cloud experience (AWS, Azure) and deploying AI/ML models in production.
  • Understanding of AI safety, hallucination mitigation, bias reduction, and prompt injection protection.
  • Experience with Git, CI/CD, and DevSecOps practices.
  • U.S. citizenship required.
  • Ability to obtain a final TS/SCI with Poly security clearance.
  • Current, valid U.S. passport for potential OCONUS travel.

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Master’s degree.
  • Experience with agentic AI architecture, multi-agent workflows, and LLM tool-use.
  • Hands-on experience with fine-tuning, RLHF, DPO, LoRA/QLoRA.
  • Familiarity with multimodal models and defense/intelligence applications.
  • Experience with IRIS, OMEGA, or similar operational platforms.
  • Background supporting IO, PSYOP, influence analysis, or COCOM operations.
  • Knowledge of MLOps, A/B testing, and LLM evaluation frameworks (RAGAS, DeepEval).
  • Experience with synthetic data generation, simulation, or Monte Carlo methods.
  • Understanding of geospatial data formats (GeoJSON, KML) and visualization tools (Plotly, D3.js).
  • Strong communication skills for technical-to-nontechnical translation and customer demos.
  • Relevant cloud/AI certifications (AWS, Azure, Google, DeepLearning.AI).

Key Technologies & Platforms:

 

GPT 5, Claude, Gemini, Azure OpenAI Service, LangChain, LlamaIndex, Hugging Face Transformers, Python, Pinecone, ChromaDB, Weaviate, pgvector, AWS, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, REST APIs, JSON/GeoJSON, Plotly, D3.js, IRIS, Maven, C2IE, OMEGA, FedRAMP IL2–4.

 

Target Salary Range$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

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