AI Lead Software Architect

Dark Wolf; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Dark Wolf in Herndon, VA, is seeking an AI Lead Software Architect to drive enterprise cloud data and AI initiatives. This role focuses on architecting scalable AI platforms for advanced analytics and AI workloads.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years of experience in architecting AI solutions and optimizing AI search experiences. A degree in Computer Science or related field is required. Experience with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP is desirable.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience designing and architecting scalable AI platforms to develop and deploy AI solutions leveraging ML techniques and deep learning.
• Experience optimizing AI search experiences using platforms such as OpenSearch and vector databases.
• Strong expertise in AWS, Azure, or GCP cloud platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design and architect scalable AI platforms to develop and deploy AI solutions leveraging ML techniques and deep learning.
• Drive joint architecture design with business stakeholders and gather requirements for AI use cases on the AI platform.
• Optimize AI search experiences using platforms such as OpenSearch.

Skills

AWS

Azure

GCP

Python

Spark

OpenSearch

ML techniques

Deep learning

Containerization

DevOps practices

Education

Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or related

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit-Learn

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Overview

Dark Wolf constructs and deploys data management and analytics solutions for the defense and intelligence communities. We’re proud to boast a world-class engineering team that thrives on solving complex mission challenges.

Dark Wolf is seeking a highly motivated and self-directed professional to fill the role of AI Lead Software Architect to drive enterprise cloud data and AI initiatives. This role focuses on delivering scalable, secure, and high-performance platforms supporting advanced analytics and AI workloads. Architect and build enterprise-grade Agentic AI applications that combine LLMs, retrieval, structured data access, search, orchestration, and workflow automation.

Responsibilities

• Design and architect scalable AI platforms to develop and deploy AI solutions leveraging ML techniques and deep learning techniques.
• Drive joint architecture design with business stakeholders, data scientists, engineering teams, product, and other partners to gather functional and non-functional requirements for AI use cases on the AI platform.
• Architect and build enterprise-grade Agentic AI solutions that combine LLMs, retrieval, structured data access, search, orchestration, governance, compliance, and workflow automation.
• Optimize AI search experiences using platforms such as OpenSearch and vector databases to support high-relevance, large-scale enterprise applications.
• Utilize Python, Spark, OpenSearch, Iceberg, Lakekeeper, and ETL frameworks in implementation.

Required Qualifications

• A degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or related.
• 15+ years of experience designing and architecting scalable AI platforms to develop and deploy AI solutions leveraging ML techniques and deep learning.
• 15+ years of experience driving joint architecture design with stakeholders to gather requirements for AI use cases on the AI platform.
• 15+ years of experience architecting and building enterprise-grade Agentic AI solutions that combine LLMs, retrieval, structured data access, search, orchestration, governance, compliance, and workflow automation.
• Experience optimizing AI search experiences using platforms such as OpenSearch and vector databases.
• Proficiency with Python, Spark, OpenSearch, Iceberg, Lakekeeper, and ETL frameworks.

Desired Qualifications

• Strong expertise in AWS, Azure, or GCP cloud platforms.
• Proven experience in architecting large-scale data ML/AI solutions.
• Hands-on implementation and leadership experience driving AI innovation, software development, ensuring scalability, performance, and data governance.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders; primary customer liaison with oversight of multiple programs.
• Ability to host and deliver demonstrations, including building prototypes, to support customer-driven capability demonstrations.
• Proven experience as an AI/ML platform architect.
• Deep understanding of ML algorithms, deep learning architectures, models, and frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-Learn).
• Expertise in hybrid cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure) and their AI services.
• Strong knowledge of model development life cycle, software engineering principles, and data engineering practices.
• Experience with containerization and orchestration tools on-premises and in the cloud (e.g., AKS, GKE, OpenShift, Docker, Kubernetes) for deploying AI/ML models.
• Ability to design and optimize distributed computing systems for AI/ML workloads.
• Familiarity with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and automation tools in AI/ML contexts.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to address complex technical challenges.

Position Clearance Requirement

TS/SCI with Full-Scope Polygraph

Location

Chantilly/Herndon, VA.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer. Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.