AI/ML Operationalization Specialist

Guidehouse; McLean (VA); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Referral Program

Mobility Stipend

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking an AI/ML Operationalization Specialist to transform prototypes into production ML systems. You will work across on-site and remote environments to deploy models on platforms like Advana, built on Databricks, and ensure secure, scalable operations.

You will design and maintain ML pipelines, observability frameworks, and model lifecycle processes that meet government performance and security requirements, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver mission-critical

Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance required.
• Experience deploying, managing, and maintaining ML models in production.
• Hands-on Databricks experience (Delta Lake, MLflow, model registry, workflows).
• Proficiency building data pipelines and automated jobs in Python/Scala.
• Familiarity with Spark and cloud-native deployment patterns.
• Experience with monitoring, logging, and MLOps observability tools.
• Able to operate in government environments with security requirements.

Responsibilities

• Operationalize ML models into secure production environments.
• Design, deploy, and optimize data and ML pipelines for CI/CD of analytics.
• Implement monitoring, dashboards, drift detection, logging, and alerts.
• Collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and stakeholders to meet requirements.
• Harden ML workflows per federal cybersecurity controls.
• Troubleshoot production issues and optimize performance across clouds.
• Support documentation and sustainment of ML operational workflows.

Skills

Databricks Platform

ML Ops in Production

Python/Scala

Spark

Security Clearances

Model Monitoring & Logging

CI/CD for ML

Tools

Delta Lake

MLflow

Workflow Orchestration

Job description

What You Will Do

As an AI/ML Operationalization Specialist, you will support the RFP-defined technical workstreams by transforming machine learning prototypes into fully operational, secure, scalable, and monitorable production systems. You will work across both on site and remote environments to ensure the reliable deployment of ML models onto mission platforms such as Advana, which is built on Databricks. You will design, build, and maintain ML pipelines, observability frameworks, automation tools, and model lifecycle processes that meet government requirements for performance, security, and sustainment.

Job Family

Data Science Consulting

Travel Required

Up to 10%

Clearance Required

Active Secret

What You Will Do

As an AI/ML Operationalization Specialist, you will support the RFP-defined technical workstreams by transforming machine learning prototypes into fully operational, secure, scalable, and monitorable production systems. You will work across both on site and remote environments to ensure the reliable deployment of ML models onto mission platforms such as Advana, which is built on Databricks. You will design, build, and maintain ML pipelines, observability frameworks, automation tools, and model lifecycle processes that meet government requirements for performance, security, and sustainment.

Core Responsibilities

• Operationalize ML models into secure production environments using Databricks-based architectures.
• Design, deploy, and optimize data and ML pipelines that support continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) of analytical capabilities.
• Implement model monitoring, performance dashboards, drift detection, logging, and alerting frameworks.
• Collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and mission stakeholders to ensure models meet operational expectations.
• Harden ML workflows in accordance with federal cybersecurity controls and government data-handling policies.
• Troubleshoot production issues and optimize system performance across cloud and on-prem environments.
• Support documentation, configuration management, and sustainment of ML operational workflows.

What You Will Need

• Active Secret clearance.
• Experience deploying, managing, and maintaining ML models in production environments.
• Hands‑on experience with Databricks, including Delta Lake, MLflow, model registry, and workflow orchestration.
• Proficiency building data pipelines and automated jobs in Python or Scala.
• Familiarity with distributed data processing frameworks (e.g., Spark) and cloud‑native deployment patterns.
• Experience implementing monitoring, logging, and MLOps observability tools.
• Ability to work within government environments and adhere to federal security requirements.
• Ability to collaborate with cross‑functional teams, communicate technical concepts, and support mission users.

What Would Be Nice To Have

• Experience supporting DoD or federal analytics platforms such as Advana.
• Experience with Databricks Unity Catalog or similar governance frameworks.
• Background in building CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps, GitLab, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with Kubernetes, containerized workloads, or workflow schedulers.
• Experience with feature stores, metadata management, and automated model retraining.
• Understanding of zero‑trust principles and federal cybersecurity guidelines (e.g., RMF, NIST).

The annual salary range for this position is $98,000.00-$163,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits Include

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement PlanBasic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.