AI/ML Engineer II

Torch.AI; McLean, Leawood (VA, KS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Bonuses

Unlimited PTO

Medical options

401(k) plan

Dental and vision

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Torch.AI is hiring for a Full‑Time role eligible for security clearances. The position focuses on designing and implementing end‑to‑end ML workflows for semantic search, classification, and retrieval, with emphasis on reliable, production‑grade AI services.

You’ll tune embeddings and RAG components while collaborating with data engineering and backend teams. Ideal candidates have 3–6 years in applied ML/NLP, strong Python skills, and experience with Transformers, spaCy, and PyTorch.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 3–6 years of experience building applied ML systems or NLP workflows.
• Strong Python development skills; production‑quality services.
• Experience training, tuning, evaluating, and deploying ML models.
• Familiarity with ML/NLP libraries (Transformers, spaCy, scikit‑learn, PyTorch).
• Exposure to cloud environments and containerized deployment patterns.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Design end‑to‑end ML workflows for semantic search, classification, entity resolution, and retrieval.
• Build production‑ready AI services with reliability and testability.
• Develop and tune embedding pipelines, retrieval systems, and RAG components.
• Collaborate with data engineering and backend teams to integrate ML into scalable systems.
• Implement evaluation workflows tied to mission performance (accuracy, latency, robustness).
• Support deployment, monitoring, and versioning of ML models in MLOps lifecycle.
• Participate in architecture discussions aligned to platform constraints.

Skills

Python

ML systems

NLP workflows

Cloud environments

Communication

Collaboration

Education

B.S./M.S. in CS/Engineering

Tools

Transformers

spaCy

scikit-learn

PyTorch

Job description

Location

HQ – Leawood, KS 66211 (primarily headquarters; some hybrid/remote positions available in Arlington, VA, Washington, DC, and Maryland with up to 10% travel)

Position Type

Full‑Time – Clearance Eligible

Security Clearance

Eligible for Secret, Top Secret, or Top Secret/SCI clearance. U.S. citizenship required. No visa sponsorship.

What You’ll Do

• Design and implement end‑to‑end ML workflows supporting semantic search, classification, entity resolution, and retrieval.
• Build production‑ready AI services with strong attention to reliability, testability, and maintainability.
• Develop and tune embedding pipelines, retrieval systems, and retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG) components.
• Collaborate with data engineering and backend teams to integrate ML capabilities into scalable systems.
• Implement evaluation workflows tied to measurable mission performance (accuracy, latency, robustness).
• Support deployment, monitoring, and versioning of ML models as part of a disciplined MLOps lifecycle.
• Participate in architecture discussions and propose solutions aligned to platform constraints and mission needs.

Core Skills & Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field.
• 3–6 years of experience building applied ML systems or NLP workflows.
• Strong Python development skills; production‑quality services.
• Experience training, tuning, evaluating, and deploying ML models.
• Familiarity with modern ML/NLP libraries (Transformers, spaCy, scikit‑learn, PyTorch).
• Exposure to cloud environments and containerized deployment patterns.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams.

Additional Valuable Experience

• Experience with embeddings, vector search, RAG, and semantic retrieval systems.
• Familiarity with MLflow, DVC, Kubeflow, SageMaker, or similar tooling.
• Experience with graph‑based retrieval, agentic systems, or tool‑use architectures.
• Experience supporting defense, intelligence, ISR, or mission environments.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Quarterly performance bonuses.
• Equity participation within first 12 months.
• Unlimited PTO + 11 paid company holidays.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Weekly in‑office catering at HQ.
• 401(k) plan (no current employer match, under consideration).
• PPO, HSA, and TRICARE Supplement medical options.
• Above‑market HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care FSA options.
• Dental and vision plans above national averages.
• Employer‑paid life insurance (1× salary).
• Employer‑paid Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability.
• Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity coverage.
• Up to $300/month in tax‑advantaged commuter benefits.

EEO & Equity

Torch.AI is an Equal Opportunity / Aff