AI/ML Developer

SAIC; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC seeks an early-career AI/ML Developer to join our Solutions and Technology Group in Reston, VA. You will help create and operationalize AI/ML PoCs, including GenAI, NLP, and computer vision for IC missions.

The role involves hybrid work with on-site SCIF/customer facilities as required. Responsibilities include prototyping, environment setup, secure deployment, CI/CD integration, demos, and documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related technical discipline with 2+ years of software or AI/ML experience.
• Master’s degree in related discipline with 0+ years of experience.
• Foundational proficiency in Python and core software engineering practices (Git, testing, clean code).
• Hands-on exposure to at least one major ML framework (PyTorch or TensorFlow).

Responsibilities

• Rapid PoC & demo prototyping for GenAI/LLMs, NLP, and CV tailored to IC missions.
• Environment setup for both unclassified and SCIF-based AI development.
• Secure deployment & MLOps including containerization and model packaging.
• Pipeline integration into CI/CD in secure multi-tenant cloud environments (AWS/Azure).
• Demos and stakeholder support with clean, commented codebases.
• Draft technical documentation, API guides, and system diagrams.

Skills

Python

Git-based version control

Unit testing

Clean code architectures

ML frameworks (PyTorch or TensorFlow)

Demonstrates AI/ML prototyping

Education

Bachelor’s in Computer Science / Data Science / Engineering

Master’s in related discipline (0+ years)

Tools

Docker

React

AWS/Azure cloud concepts

Job description

Description

SAIC is building an early-career AI/ML Developer team within our Solutions and Technology Group, reporting to the Intel Space CTO. In this matrixed role, you will support the creation, prototyping, and operationalization of cutting-edge AI/ML Proof of Concepts (PoCs)—including GenAI/LLMs, NLP, and computer vision—specifically tailored to Intelligence Community (IC) mission use cases. These are dynamic, high-impact positions supporting multiple IC programs in both unclassified and classified environments. This is a hybrid role for candidates residing in the Northern Virginia corridor, with on-site work in SCIFs and customer facilities as needed.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Rapid PoC & demo prototyping (≈50%): Assist senior developers in designing, coding, and deploying visual AI/ML prototypes (GenAI/LLMs, NLP, computer vision) to address IC mission needs.
• Environment setup: Help configure and maintain development environments and local tooling for both unclassified and SCIF-based AI development.
• Secure deployment & MLOps (≈30%): Collaborate with senior engineers to containerize applications (e.g., Docker) and package models for deployment into secure environments.
• Pipeline integration: Assist in integrating prototypes into CI/CD pipelines and deploying them into secure, multi-tenant cloud environments (AWS and/or Azure).
• Demos & stakeholder support (≈20%): Prepare prototype environments for customer demonstrations and ensure codebases are clean, well-structured, and well-commented.
• Documentation: Draft clear technical documentation, API guides, and system diagrams to support the transition of prototypes into operational systems.

Qualifications

• Residency in the Northern Virginia corridor with the ability to support a hybrid work model (remote plus on-site SCIF/customer locations as required).
• Active Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain SCI access.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related technical discipline and 2+ years of relevant software or AI/ML experience.
• OR Master’s degree in a related technical discipline with 0+ years of relevant experience.
• Foundational proficiency in Python and core software engineering practices (e.g., Git-based version control, unit testing, clean code architectures).
• Hands-on exposure to at least one major ML framework (e.g., PyTorch or TensorFlow) through coursework, personal projects, internships, or professional tasks.

Clearance Requirements:

• Active Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain SCI access.
• TS/SCI strongly preferred and may be required for specific program tasking.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Docker and basic cloud concepts in AWS and/or Azure.
• Experience using lightweight frontend tools or frameworks (e.g., React) to build functional, interactive user interfaces for demonstrations.
• Familiarity with Intelligence Community missions, environments, and workflows.

Physical Requirements:

• Works primarily in an office, lab, or SCIF environment using computers and standard office equipment.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer workstation.
• May require occasional lifting of laptops and related equipment (up to ~20 lbs).
• Ability to commute to Northern Virginia-area SAIC and customer facilities and to travel occasionally to other customer sites as required by the program.

Target salary range: $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

SAIC is a premier technology integrator, solving our nation's most complex modernization and systems engineering challenges across the defense, space, federal civilian, and intelligence markets. Our robust portfolio of offerings includes high-end solutions in systems engineering and integration; enterprise IT, including cloud services; cyber; software; advanced analytics and simulation; and training. We are a team of 23,000 strong driven by mission, united purpose, and inspired by opportunity. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $6.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see Working at SAIC. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability