AI/ML Platform Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance

Retirement contributions

Work/life balance

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab is seeking an AI/ML Platform Engineer to work on cutting-edge machine learning solutions. This role requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 2 years of experience. You will design multi-agent systems, fine-tune LLMs, and contribute to the wider mission of critical defense solutions. The position offers a competitive salary of $85,000 to $195,000 annually, comprehensive benefits, and an inclusive work culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Math, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years of experience in software engineering, machine learning, or relevant fields.
• Experience building production or production-adjacent LLM-powered systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python and ML stack (NumPy, pandas).
• Hands-on experience with LangChain and/or LangGraph.

Responsibilities

• Design and build multi-agent systems using modern open-source frameworks.
• Fine-tune LLMs for specific applications and evaluate results.
• Research and prototype ML algorithms for production tasks.

Skills

Python

Machine Learning

Data Science

Software Engineering

LangChain

LangGraph

Education

Bachelor's degree in Math or Computer Science

Master's or Ph.D. in related field

Tools

Docker

Podman

PyTorch

Job description

Job Description

Are you passionate about applying hands‑on expertise to build and deliver artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions?

Are you looking to tackle a wide range of complex problems in a field that is evolving faster than almost any other in technology?

Do you have a strong desire to collaborate and work within a team of highly skilled researchers?

If so, we’re looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking a highly motivated AI/ML platform engineer who will contribute to solving cutting‑edge challenges that didn’t exist until recently — integrating agents with enterprise tools, fine‑tuning models for regulated use cases, and building the operational discipline that keeps AI systems reliable as the underlying technology changes monthly. You will be joining a team of engineers and scientists who are at the forefront of APL’s mission to provide innovative solutions to critical challenges in missile defense.

As an AI/ML Platform Engineer

• You will work at the intersection of software engineering, data science, and machine learning, to turn experimental models into scalable, operation‑ready solutions.
• You will design and build multi‑agent and single‑agent systems using modern open‑source frameworks (e.g., LangChain/LangGraph, CrewAI, AutoGen, and their successors) that automate and augment work across our enterprise and developer tools.
• You will fine‑tune LLMs for specific applications using modern techniques (e.g., LoRA). Prepare training data, run training jobs on shared infrastructure, evaluate results against task‑specific benchmarks, and hand off to the ML team’s serving platform.
• You will research and prototype ML algorithms for specific production tasks, measure their performance and limitations rigorously, and produce clear assessments of their robustness and the confidence we can place in them.
• You will interact with various data types, formats, and structures in a clear and appropriate manner for algorithm training and testing and perform any data cleaning, normalization, or manipulation as needed.
• You will create effective visualizations and comprehensive documentation to explain complex topics to a variety of audiences.

Qualifications

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Math, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Have 2+ years of experience in software engineering, machine learning, or relevant fields.
• Have experience building production or production‑adjacent LLM‑powered or agent‑based systems.
• Have strong proficiency in Python, including the scientific/ML stack (PyTorch or similar, NumPy, pandas).
• Have hands‑on experience with LangChain and/or LangGraph.
• Have the ability to translate mathematical concepts into well‑documented and efficient code.
• Have work experience with containerization and running containers using Podman or Docker.
• Can effectively communicate ideas and results.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you…

• Have a Master’s or Ph.D. in Engineering, Math, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Have 4+ years of experience in designing and implementing AI/ML algorithms for a variety of datasets.
• Are competent in a wide variety of programming languages, including MATLAB, C++, Python, and Java, on both Linux and Windows platforms.
• Have experience using high‑performance computing structures like GPUs and CPU clusters.
• Have work experience with statistical modeling, computer vision, autonomy, deep networks, adversarial networks, or optimization.
• Have work experience with MLOps and associated tools, like MLflow, DVC, or LakeFS.
• Have the ability to obtain a Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world‑class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore‑Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$195,000 Annually