AI Application Engineer

Bigbear.ai; McLean (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

BigBear.ai is seeking a hands-on AI Application Engineer to build next-generation enterprise AI applications. You will work on an AI platform that combines LLMs, RAG, data integration, and dynamic user interfaces to help organizations automate complex business processes and make better decisions.

You will design and implement full-stack solutions using Python, REST APIs, React/TypeScript, and relational databases, collaborating with AI engineers and domain experts to deliver production-quality

Qualifications

• 3+ years of software development experience, backend and/or full-stack.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
• Strong Python and REST API development experience.
• Experience building modern web apps using JavaScript/TypeScript and React.
• Working knowledge of SQL and relational databases.
• Experience with LLM-powered apps, RAG, AI agents, or LLM API integrations.
• Familiarity with Git, Docker, testing, and debugging.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop full-stack AI applications using Python, REST APIs, React/TypeScript, and relational databases.
• Build AI-powered features using LLMs, RAG, semantic search, and agent-based architectures.
• Develop integrations connecting AI agents with enterprise databases, APIs, documents, and business systems.
• Contribute to a configurable AI platform with domain knowledge, reusable capabilities, and workflow automation.
• Implement data visualization, dashboards, chat interfaces, and AI-assisted workflows.
• Experiment with AI frameworks and tools to evaluate new capabilities.
• Collaborate with solution architects, AI engineers, and domain experts to turn requirements into working apps.
• Write maintainable, tested, secure, production-quality software using modern practices.
• Leverage AI coding assistants to accelerate development while upholding engineering standards.
• Support modernization and integration of existing applications as needed.

Skills

Python

REST APIs

React/TypeScript

SQL

LLM/RAG

AI apps

Git

Docker

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

PostgreSQL

LangChain

APIs (REST/GraphQL)

CI/CD

Job description

Residency

All applicants must currently reside in the United States

Overview

BigBear.ai is seeking a hands-on AI Application Engineer to help build next-generation enterprise AI applications.

You will work on an innovative AI platform that combines large language models (LLMs), AI agents, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), enterprise data integration, and dynamic user interfaces to help organizations make better decisions and automate complex business processes.

This is an opportunity to go beyond traditional chatbot development and help create configurable, domain-aware AI applications that support operational workflows, business analytics, decision-making, and enterprise automation.

We are looking for a software engineer who enjoys hands-on development, experimenting with emerging AI technologies, and turning innovative ideas into working applications.

What you will do

• Design and develop full-stack AI applications using Python, REST APIs, React/TypeScript, and relational databases
• Build AI-powered features using LLMs, RAG, semantic search, and agent-based architectures
• Develop integrations connecting AI agents with enterprise databases, APIs, documents, and business systems
• Help build a configurable AI platform that supports domain-specific knowledge, reusable AI capabilities, workflow automation, and interactive user experiences
• Implement and enhance data visualization, dashboards, chat interfaces, and AI-assisted business workflows
• Experiment with AI frameworks, tools, and technologies to evaluate and implement new capabilities
• Collaborate with solution architects, AI engineers, and domain experts to transform business requirements into working applications
• Develop maintainable, tested, secure, and production-quality software using modern development practices
• Leverage AI coding assistants to accelerate development while maintaining strong engineering standards
• Support modernization and integration of existing applications as needed

What you need to have

• 3+ years of software development experience, including hands-on backend and/or full-stack application development
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
• Strong Python programming skills and experience developing REST APIs using FastAPI, Flask, or similar frameworks
• Experience developing modern web applications using JavaScript/TypeScript and React or comparable frontend technologies
• Working knowledge of SQL and relational databases such as PostgreSQL
• Practical experience developing or integrating LLM-powered applications, including RAG, AI agents, or LLM API integrations
• Familiarity with modern development tools, Git, Docker, testing, and debugging
• Ability to learn new frameworks quickly, solve complex technical problems, and independently deliver working software

What we'd like you to have

• Experience with LangChain, LangGraph, LangChain4j, or similar AI application frameworks
• Experience with vector databases such as pgvector, Weaviate, or other semantic search technologies
• Familiarity with AI agent tool integration, Model Context Protocol (MCP), and agent orchestration
• Experience integrating multiple LLM providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, or Ask Sage
• Experience with configurable platforms, workflow automation, or dynamic application interfaces
• Experience with PostgreSQL, Redis, Keycloak/OAuth, and enterprise authentication
• Experience with Dash/Plotly, Nx monorepos, or modernization of legacy applications
• Familiarity with CI/CD, containerization, and cloud-native deployment
• Experience developing software for government, defense, or other regulated environments

Pay transparency

Please note that the targeted compensation range is provided as an estimate, and any actual compensation offer may vary depending on the needs of the company or an applicant's skill set, competencies, experience, education, certifications, location, or other factors. The estimated range does not include the value of any benefits offered.

About BigBear.ai

BigBear.ai is a leading provider of AI-powered decision intelligence solutions for national security, supply chain management, and digital identity. Customers and partners rely on Bigbear.ai’s predictive analytics capabilities in highly complex, distributed, mission-based operating environments. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, BigBear.ai is a public company traded on the NYSE under the symbol BBAI. For more information, visit https://bigbear.ai/ and follow BigBear.ai on LinkedIn: @BigBear.ai and X: @BigBearai.

BigBear.ai is an Equal opportunity employer all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.