AI ML Engineer/Developer

Apavo Corporation; Virginia, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Apavo Corporation seeks a Senior AI/ML Data Engineer to architect data ecosystems powering vector search, RAG, and LLM applications for DoD and IC clients. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver secure, scalable AI data platforms and mentor engineers.

Required are TS/SCI clearance, 20+ years of experience in AI/ML/data engineering, and deep cloud proficiency. The role emphasizes leadership, governance, and clear communication with senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Active, current Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph clearance is mandatory.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative discipline (equivalent experience considered)
• 20+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, data engineering, distributed systems, cloud architecture, or AI/ML platform development
• Proven experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale AI, machine learning, generative AI, or Agentic AI solutions
• Demonstrated success architecting and implementing production cloud-native data systems supporting advanced analytics and AI workloads
• Proven experience working within complex enterprise environments managing security, infrastructure, technology dependencies, governance requirements, and competing priorities
• Expert proficiency in Python, SQL, and modern software engineering practices
• Deep experience with Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud data and AI platforms
• Experience implementing vector databases, embedding pipelines, retrieval systems, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation architectures
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, orchestration platforms, infrastructure automation, and observability tooling
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Proven ability to influence decisions and drive consensus among diverse technical and business stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Architect, build, and maintain enterprise-scale data platforms supporting vector databases, semantic search, RAG, Agentic AI systems, and LLM apps
• Establish data quality, lineage, source attribution, prompt/context traceability, explainability, and evaluation controls
• Lead architectural decision-making for AI-supporting data infrastructure balancing performance, security, reliability, maintainability, and cost
• Collaborate with Data Scientists, ML Engineers, Architects, Cybersecurity, and Software Engineers to translate AI requirements into production capabilities
• Translate AI concepts into actionable impacts, risks, and opportunities for senior leadership
• Coordinate with stakeholders across organizations to align AI initiatives and maximize reuse
• Implement monitoring, observability, and alerting for reliable AI data platforms
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring, promote engineering best practices and innovation
• Assess emerging AI technologies and frameworks to improve capabilities

Skills

TS/SCI Clearance

Python

SQL

Cloud Platforms

Azure

AWS

GCP

Vector Databases

Embedding Pipelines

RAG

LLM Architectures

CI/CD

Orchestration

Observability

Communication Skills

Govt/Defense Experience

Python & SQL Proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, or related quantitative discipline

Tools

N/A

Job description

Description

Job Title: AI/ML Engineer/Developer

Reports To: Management

FLSA Status: Full Time/Exempt

Apavo is at the forefront of cybersecurity, providing services to military, defense, and critical infrastructure industries. Joining the Apavo team means becoming part of a company rooted in the principles of quality, and communication. We value positive, candid interactions and the belief that everyone has valuable contributions to make. Apavo stands out for its commitment to a work-life balance and fostering a growth mindset among all team members. If you are looking to make a meaningful impact in the cybersecurity world while growing professionally in a supportive environment, Apavo is the place for you.

Job Purpose:

The Senior AI/ML Data Engineer will serve as a technical leader responsible for architecting the data ecosystem that powers vector search, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), large language model (LLM) applications, and emerging Agentic AI capabilities in support of Apavo’s DoD and Intelligence Community clients. This role works across infrastructure, cybersecurity, software engineering, and mission stakeholders to rapidly deliver scalable, secure, and reliable AI solutions, and is expected to communicate complex technical concepts and architectural tradeoffs to senior leaders and mission stakeholders.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Senior AI/ML Data Engineer responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Architect, build, and maintain enterprise-scale data platforms supporting vector databases, semantic search, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Agentic AI systems, and large language model applications
• Establish and implement controls for data quality, lineage, source attribution, prompt and context traceability, explainability, and evaluation of AI system outputs
• Lead architectural decision-making for AI-supporting data infrastructure, balancing performance, scalability, security, reliability, maintainability, and cost
• Partner with Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, Architects, Cybersecurity teams, and Software Engineers to translate AI requirements into production-grade capabilities
• Translate highly technical AI, machine learning, and data architecture concepts into clear operational impacts, risks, opportunities, and implementation considerations for senior leadership
• Coordinate with stakeholders across multiple organizations to align AI initiatives, maximize reuse of enterprise capabilities, and eliminate duplication of effort
• Implement monitoring, observability, and alerting to ensure the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of AI-supporting data platforms
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers while promoting engineering best practices and innovation across the organization
• Assess emerging AI technologies, vector database platforms, retrieval frameworks, and engineering approaches to improve organizational AI capabilities

The Senior AI/ML Data Engineer is expected to have additional duties as assigned in support of corporate cyber security services. Additional details are reviewed in accordance with company policies.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Active, current Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph clearance is mandatory
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative discipline (equivalent experience considered)
• 20+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, data engineering, distributed systems, cloud architecture, or AI/ML platform development
• Proven experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale AI, machine learning, generative AI, or Agentic AI solutions
• Demonstrated success architecting and implementing production cloud-native data systems supporting advanced analytics and AI workloads
• Proven experience working within complex enterprise environments managing security, infrastructure, technology dependencies, governance requirements, and competing priorities
• Expert proficiency in Python, SQL, and modern software engineering practices
• Deep experience with Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud data and AI platforms
• Experience implementing vector databases, embedding pipelines, retrieval systems, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation architectures
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, orchestration platforms, infrastructure automation, and observability tooling
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Proven ability to influence decisions and drive consensus among diverse technical and business stakeholders

Desired Skills & Frameworks:

• Experience serving as a Principal Engineer, Lead Data Engineer, Solution Architect, or Technical Lead
• Experience building and operating enterprise-scale vector search, RAG, knowledge management, and LLM-based platforms
• Hands-on experience with large-scale distributed data processing frameworks
• Experience leading engineering teams and mentoring junior and mid-level engineers
• Experience supporting AI adoption efforts within large government, defense, intelligence, or highly regulated organizations
• Familiarity with AI governance, model evaluation frameworks, explainability, and responsible AI implementation practices

Other:

This is typical office or administrative work, and there is no exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

This position requires sedentary work. Sedentary work is defined as: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Apavo Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and strictly prohibits any type of harassment or discrimination in regards to race, religion, age, color, sex, disability status, national origin, genetics, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender expression, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and/or local laws.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Apavo Corporation to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Apavo Human Resources at [e-mail] or 571-407-0069

Employment with Apavo Corporation is on an at-will basis, meaning either you or the Company can terminate the employment relationship, at any time, for any or no reason, and with or without cause or notice. As an at-will employee, your employment with Apavo Corporation is not guaranteed for any length of time.