AI Prompt Engineer

Socket.dev; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

CDIT LLC in the United States seeks a highly creative AI Prompt Engineer to design, test, and optimize prompts for Large Language Models within an Agile team supporting a federal border security mission.

You will translate complex requirements into effective AI interactions, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to prompt fine-tuning and RAG strategies while ensuring compliance with security and background checks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 0–3 years of professional software development experience or relevant academic project work.
• 1+ year of hands-on experience with LLMs (e.g., OpenAI GPT series, Llama, Gemini)
• Proficiency in Python or JavaScript/TypeScript
• Familiarity with prompt engineering techniques (few-shot, chain-of-thought, structured outputs, function calling)

Responsibilities

• Design, test, and optimize prompts for generative AI models (LLMs).
• Conduct structured testing to compare prompt variations and drive improvement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate prompts
• Provide input on model fine-tuning and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) strategies.
• Debug unexpected model behaviors, identify root causes in prompt structure or data context.

Skills

Python

JavaScript/TypeScript

LLMs hands-on

Prompt engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Software Engineering / IT

Tools

OpenAI GPT series

Llama

Gemini

Job description

CDIT LLC is seeking a highlycreative, technically proficient, and detail-oriented AI Prompt Engineer tojoin a growing AI team supporting a federal border security mission. This roleis responsible for designing, testing, and optimizing prompts for LargeLanguage Models (LLMs) to produce high-quality, reliable outputs across a rangeof mission use cases — translating complex requirements into effective AIinteractions, within an Agile delivery environment.

Responsibilities

• Prompt Design & Optimization — Develop,refine, and iterate on prompts for generative AI models (LLMs) to elicitdesired behaviors and outputs.
• Iterative Testing & Analysis — Conductstructured testing to compare prompt variations and drive continuousimprovement.
• Collaboration — Work closely withcross-functional teams to integrate prompts that streamline manual processes.
• Fine-Tuning & RAG Support — Provide input onmodel fine-tuning and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) strategies.
• Problem Solving — Debug unexpected modelbehaviors, identifying root causes in prompt structure or data context.

RequiredQualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to passa federal background investigation (criminal, drug use, and misconduct checks).
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, SoftwareEngineering, IT, or related field (equivalent experience considered)
• 0–3 years of professional software developmentexperience or relevant academic project work
• 1+ year of hands-on experience with LLMs (e.g., OpenAIGPT series, Llama, Gemini)
• Proficiency in at least one programming language(Python, JavaScript/TypeScript)
• Familiarity with prompt engineering techniques(few-shot, chain-of-thought, structured outputs, function calling)

DesiredQualifications

• Strong, data-driven problem-solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Exposure to RAG concepts, embeddings, and vectordatabases
• Understanding of AI safety considerations (promptinjection, bias, data privacy)
• Exposure to Agile/Scrum environments

CDIT LLC is an Equal OpportunityEmployer. This position supports a federal government client and requires theability to obtain and maintain a background investigation as a condition ofemployment.