ECS

Senior AI Engineer

ECS$120K — $160K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Current Secret security clearance (ability to obtain Top Secret security clearance)
  • 10+ years of experience in AI engineering or machine learning development in defense or enterprise tech
  • Hands-on proficiency with Python and AI frameworks like PyTorch, TensorFlow, SageMaker, etc.
  • Experience in integrating AI automation into operational support environments
  • Ability to produce formal AI deliverables and communicate with diverse stakeholders
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Responsibilities

  • Designs and implements AI capabilities for War Data Platform Core Integration
  • Builds and deploys ML classification pipelines and NLP models across various data environments
  • Integrates AI-driven tools to enhance user experience and automate workflows
  • Conducts model evaluations to validate operational suitability for mission users
  • Produces automation roadmaps, architecture diagrams, and performance dashboards
  • Collaborates with teams to integrate AI into enterprise pipelines and improve resolution times
  • Performs other assigned duties

Benefits

  • Dynamic work environment within a key governmental initiative
  • Opportunity to contribute to advanced defense AI projects
  • Engagement with senior leadership and high-level operational analysts
  • Access to cutting-edge technologies and practices in AI development
  • Potential for career advancement in a high-stakes governmental context
Full Job Description
Everforth ECS is seeking a Senior AI Engineer to work in the National Capital Region covering the Pentagon, Falls Church, and Fairfax. Please Note: This position is contingent upon contract award.

The War Data Platform (WDP) is a key initiative within the U.S. Department of War's (DoW) AI-First strategy introduced in early 2026. The WDP separates business and financial data from operational warfighting data, aiming to accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) on the battlefield. The WDP extends to Unclassified, Secret, and Top Secret environments, and supports collaboration between Combatant Commands, Joint Staff directorates, Senior Executive Service leaders, and operational analysts.

The Senior AI Engineer serves as a senior-level AI architect and practitioner responsible for designing, building, and deploying advanced artificial intelligence capabilities that modernize WDP Core Integration's operational support functions across all classification tiers. This role leverages machine learning, natural language processing, and retrieval-augmented generation techniques to automate mission-critical workflows, accelerate request resolution, and strengthen WDP's AI-enabled user experience from the Pentagon to the tactical edge.
• Designs and implements advanced artificial intelligence capabilities supporting War Data Platform (WDP) Core Integration modernization objectives by developing automated mechanisms that accelerate request intake, categorization, triage, and routing across Tier 0 through Tier 3 support channels for customers across NIPRNet, SIPRNet, and JWICS enclaves.
• Builds and deploys machine learning classification pipelines, natural language processing models, and retrieval-augmented generation components using platforms such as Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, SageMaker, Amazon Comprehend, and Elasticsearch to identify intent, assign routing paths, and detect anomalous patterns within high-volume operational data streams.
• Integrates AI-driven chatbots, recommender engines, and knowledge discovery modules into the WDP Core Integration user experience to provide instant guidance, dynamic knowledge article suggestions, and automated resolution workflows aligned to Government-approved Standard Operating Procedures and mission readiness objectives.
• Conducts model evaluation using precision, recall, F1 scores, latency thresholds, and throughput benchmarks to validate operational suitability for Combatant Command, Service Headquarters, Joint Staff, and Senior Executive Service mission users.
• Produces deliverables including automation roadmaps, machine learning architecture diagrams, system interface specifications, AI-enabled workflow designs, performance dashboards, and modernization impact reports.
• Collaborates with platform engineers, cybersecurity teams, and mission leads to integrate AI enhancements into enterprise pipelines while reducing ticket resolution times, eliminating bottlenecks, and driving continuous improvement in user sentiment metrics, SLA compliance, and cross-enclave operational efficiency.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Current Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in artificial intelligence engineering, machine learning development, or a closely related discipline within a federal, defense, or enterprise technology environment, with demonstrated senior-level expertise designing and deploying production-grade AI/ML systems at scale.
• Hands-on proficiency developing and operationalizing machine learning classification pipelines, natural language processing models, and retrieval-augmented generation architectures using Python and one or more of the following frameworks and platforms: PyTorch, TensorFlow, SageMaker, Amazon Comprehend, or Elasticsearch, including experience deploying these capabilities into multi-enclave government or cloud environments.
• Demonstrated experience integrating AI-driven automation - including chatbots, recommender systems, and automated triage workflows - into enterprise operational support or data platform environments, with the ability to validate model performance using standard evaluation metrics such as precision, recall, F1 score, and latency benchmarks in support of production readiness requirements.
• Experience producing formal AI engineering deliverables including automation roadmaps, ML architecture diagrams, system interface specifications, and performance dashboards, with the ability to effectively communicate technical AI concepts and design decisions to program managers, platform engineers, cybersecurity teams, and senior government stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, with a proven ability to weigh the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and identify the most appropriate solution.
• Highly developed interpersonal and oral/written communication skills, with the ability to effectively and professionally interact with a diverse set of stakeholders (from peers to end-users to executive management).

About ECS

ECS is a leading provider of digital solutions and services to the federal government. The company was founded in 2001 by Roy Kapani and has since grown to become a trusted partner to a wide range of government agencies. ECS offers a broad range of services, including cloud computing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The company has been recognized for its innovative solutions and has won numerous awards, including the AWS Public Sector Partner of the Year award.
Learn more about ECS
Size
2,000 employees
Industry

Similar Jobs

  • AI/ML Software Engineer
    $69K — $158K *
    Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.
    Washington, DC 20011 (District Of Columbia County)
  • Metropolitan Commercial Bank
    AI Engineer
    $130K — $200K *
    Metropolitan Commercial Bank
    New York, NY 10025 (New York County)
  • SMX
    Full Stack AI Developer (5319)
    $135K — $227K *
    SMX
    Hanover, MD 21076 (Howard County)
  • SAIC
    AI Engineer Associate
    $90K — $120K *
    SAIC
    Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 (Prince Georges County)
  • Sr. Gen AI Engineer
    $120K — $150K *
    Woongjin, Inc
    Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660 (Bergen County)
  • AI/ML Engineer
    $120K — $150K *
    VXForward LLC
    Washington, DC 20011 (District Of Columbia County)

More Jobs at ECS

  • ECS
    STO Programmatic SETA
    $120K — $150K *
    Arlington, VA 22204 (Arlington County)
    Aerospace & Defense
    In-Person
  • ECS
    AI Methodologist
    $120K — $150K *
    Fairfax, VA 22030 (Fairfax City County)
    Aerospace & Defense
    In-Person
  • ECS
    Software Engineer IV
    $100K — $130K *
    Moorestown, NJ 08057 (Burlington County)
    Aerospace & Defense
    In-Person
  • ECS
    Software Engineer III
    $100K — $130K *
    Moorestown, NJ 08057 (Burlington County)
    Aerospace & Defense
    In-Person
  • ECS
    Program Control Analyst Senior
    $90K — $120K *
    Fairfax, VA 22030 (Fairfax City County)
    Aerospace & Defense
    In-Person

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Senior AI Engineer jobs: