AI-Native Software Engineer - JobID-0024

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT)

Arlington (VA)

On-site

USD 114,000 - 231,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Competitive PTO

401(k) with matching

Tuition Assistance Reimbursement

Job summary

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT) is seeking an AI-Native Software Engineer for the Warfare Systems team in Arlington, VA.

You will build software in an AI-augmented environment, applying generative AI throughout requirements, design, code, tests, and system analysis to accelerate delivery and enhance reliability.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field or equivalent experience.
5–7 years of full-time professional experience.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time, as needed.
Demonstrated curiosity and experimentation with emerging AI technologies.
Daily use of generative AI coding tools (GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Codeium, ChatGPT, Claude).
Experience using LLMs for code generation, debugging, test generation, and docs automation.
Familiarity with agent-based development workflows and AI-assisted environments.
Strong communication and collaboration across engineering, security, compliance, etc.

Responsibilities

Use generative AI tools as a core part of daily software engineering workflows.
Demonstrate AI-enabled techniques to improve productivity and software quality.
Define and evolve AI-augmented engineering standards and practices.
Prototype and evaluate AI developer tooling.
Mentor teams on generative AI in development workflows.
Integrate AI components into DoW software environments.
Develop AI-driven data processing and NLP pipelines.
Deliver AI-enabled dashboards, interfaces, and insights.
Identify lifecycle areas accelerated by AI and automation.

Skills

Generative AI tools

LLM-based code generation

AI developer tooling

Prompt engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

GitHub Copilot

Cursor

Codeium

ChatGPT

Claude

LangChain

LangGraph

Semantic Kernel

Docker

Kubernetes

VMware

Job description

Compensation:

$114,000 - $231,000 / year

Department:

Engineering

Location:

Arlington, VA

Compensation:

$114,000 - $231,000 / year

Description

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking an AI-Native Software Engineer to be part of our Warfare Systems team and based out of our Arlington, VA location.

They will develop software in an AI-augmented engineering environment where generative AI tools are used throughout the software lifecycle — including requirements analysis, architecture design, code generation, test creation, debugging, documentation, and system analysis.

This engineer will work within multidisciplinary teams to accelerate delivery, enhance reliability, and operationalize autonomous and intelligent behaviors across complex DoW systems and is ideal for engineers who actively experiment with new AI tools and enjoy discovering faster and more effective ways to build software.

The Warfare Systems business area is one of six mission-critical business units within the IDT organization and is directly responsible for building, testing, and deploying the Navy’s next generation of tactical warfare and weapons systems. As the nation enters the ‘technology-first’ era of warfare, the Warfare Systems group will be responsible for enabling and accelerating the mission-critical tactical capability that is delivered to the warfighter. The Warfare System AI-Native Software Engineer will work with our team of software and systems engineers, building tactically relevant and technically innovative solutions to ensure the highest impact on the US Navy.

Clearance & Location Requirements:

All applicants must currently possess an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.

This is an on-site position. Requiring at least 3 days in office, based out of our Arlington, VA location.

Key Responsibilities

Use generative AI tools (LLM copilots, autonomous coding agents, AI test generators) as a core part of daily software engineering workflows

Demonstrate and share AI-enabled engineering techniques that improve team productivity and software quality

Help define and evolve AI-augmented engineering standards, patterns, and best practices

Prototype and evaluate emerging AI developer tooling (agent frameworks, code copilots, automated testing agents)

Mentor engineering teams on effective use of generative AI in development workflows

Integrate AI Components into Complex DoW Software Environments

Integrate AI models and services into mission-critical software systems.

Develop Intelligent Data Processing and NLP Pipelines

Deliver AI-Enabled Dashboards, Interfaces, and Insights

Help identify areas of the software lifecycle that can be accelerated through generative AI and automation.

Who You Are:

Who You Are (Required):

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent full-time professional experience.

5-7 years of full-time professional experience

Ability to travel up to 10% of the time, as needed

Demonstrated curiosity and experimentation with emerging AI technologies and engineering practices.

Daily use of generative AI coding tools such as GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Codeium, ChatGPT, Claude, or similar systems

Experience using LLMs for code generation, debugging, test generation, and documentation automation

Familiarity with agent-based development workflows and AI-assisted engineering environments

Experience designing prompt workflows or system prompts to improve developer productivity

Ability to critically evaluate AI-generated code for correctness, security, and performance

Strong understanding of AI concepts and practical deployment patterns

Demonstrated ability to scope requirements for engineering solutions that meet business challenges using AI with measurable outcomes

Experience in engineering solutions that integrate AI models into production workflows to improve User Experience and productivity

Understanding of security and compliance considerations when implementing AI solutions, especially in sensitive or classified environments, to support multiple deployment environments

Understanding of secure software development practices and AI-specific security risks as they pertain to a full SDLC

Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to define requirements, scope projects, and deliver solutions independently

Strong communication skills — ability to collaborate and explain complex concepts to diverse audiences, and synthesize details into actionable recommendations and implementations

Cross-functional collaboration — builds strong relationships across engineering, security, compliance, etc.

What Makes You Stand Out:

Experience building AI-augmented developer tooling

Familiarity with LLM orchestration frameworks (LangChain, LangGraph, Semantic Kernel, etc.)

Experience integrating AI capabilities into DevSecOps pipelines

Experience deploying or operating self-hosted LLMs in secure environments

Proficiency in containerization (Docker, Podman, etc.) and orchestration frameworks (Swarm, Kubernetes, etc.)

Development, system integration, and test experience with complex DoW systems

Experience supporting and working with cross-functional teams in a dynamic environment

Familiarity with US Navy and US Army tactical C2 or sensors such as Aegis, CEC, CAC2S, IBCS, SPY-1, etc. system design is desired

Experience with creating and configuring Virtual Machines (VMware, VirtualBox, etc.)

Problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate ambiguous situations

Excellence in technical communication with peers and non-technical cohorts

Ability to work closely with Program Managers and Chief Engineers to document, manage and communicate systems and software requirements

Attention to detail

Initiative, creativity, reliability, teamwork

Strong organization and planning skills

Solid analytical abilities, coupled with a strong sense of ownership, urgency and drive

Pay Range*:

$114,000 - $184,000 or $135,000 - $231,000

This amount may not be reflective of actual compensation that may be earned as pay is dependent on a candidate’s experience, skills, and education. The posted range does not include bonuses, commissions, tips, or other benefits. IDT is often looking to place multiple candidates at various levels. Therefore, more than one pay range has been included, commensurate with experience.

Job Benefits

Why Work at Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT):

IDT is a growing company with a vibrant, entrepreneurial culture. We are headquartered in Arlington, VA with additional offices in Fall River, MA; Mount Laurel, NJ; and San Diego, CA. At each location, our employees work together in a modern, snack-filled, and social office space, designing innovative solutions for our defense industry customers. We offer employees competitive pay and benefits including: