AI Software Developer (Mid-level) - TS/SCI with Polygraph

gdit; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Growth opportunities

Internal mobility support

Total rewards program

Military-friendly culture

Job summary

GDIT seeks a mid-level AI Software Developer to build AI-enabled features for mission applications on classified networks. You will implement ML/LLM capabilities under governance guardrails, working with established architectures and applying production-quality software engineering practices.

Under the guidance of the Senior AI Engineer, you will contribute to data pipelines, model integration, and secure deployment in air-gapped environments with strong emphasis on security, auditability, and

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI (poly required or in process).
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of professional software development experience.
• Strong Python proficiency and working knowledge of at least one additional language (JavaScript/TypeScript, Java, or similar).
• Hands-on experience with AI/ML concepts in real projects: model inference, embeddings, vector search, or prompt engineering.
• Experience with REST APIs, JSON, SQL, and version control (Git).
• Comfort working in restricted or disconnected development environments, or demonstrated ability to adapt to them.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills; ability to work on-site in a SCIF full time.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software applications incorporating AI/ML capabilities within air-gapped and accredited government cloud environments.
• Implement LLM-backed features (retrieval-augmented generation, embeddings, summarization, classification) using locally hosted models and program-approved patterns.
• Build and maintain data pipelines supporting AI-driven features, with correct classification handling and data hygiene.
• Integrate AI capabilities with existing program systems and workflows via REST APIs and structured data formats.
• Write clean, testable, well-documented code; participate in code reviews and follow team engineering standards.
• Implement required logging, audit, and evaluation instrumentation per the program's AI rules of engagement.
• Support deployment, monitoring, and iterative improvement of AI-enabled systems, including model updates transferred into the environment.
• Collaborate with program staff and stakeholders to refine requirements into working software.

Skills

AI/ML concepts

Python

REST APIs

Git

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Docker

PyTorch

Llama

Hugging Face transformers

Ollama

Job description

Type of Requisition

Regular

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess

Top Secret/SCI

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain

Top Secret SCI + Polygraph

Public Trust/Other Required

None

Job Family

Data Science and Data Engineering

Job Qualifications

Skills:

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Large Language Models (LLMs), Machine Learning (ML)

Certifications:

None

Experience:

8 + years of related experience

US Citizenship Required:

Yes

Job Description

We are seeking a mid-level AI Software Developer to build and integrate AI-enabled features into mission applications operating on classified networks. Working under the direction of the Senior AI Engineer, you will implement machine learning and large language model capabilities within established architectural patterns and governance guardrails, alongside strong general software engineering work. This role emphasizes practical, production-quality delivery in an environment where AI systems must run locally - without external API access - and where security, auditability, and data handling discipline are part of everyday engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software applications incorporating AI/ML capabilities within air-gapped and accredited government cloud environments
• Implement LLM-backed features (retrieval-augmented generation, embeddings, summarization, classification) using locally hosted models and program-approved patterns
• Build and maintain data pipelines supporting AI-driven features, with correct classification handling and data hygiene
• Integrate AI capabilities with existing program systems and workflows via REST APIs and structured data formats
• Write clean, testable, well-documented code; participate in code reviews and follow team engineering standards
• Implement required logging, audit, and evaluation instrumentation per the program's AI rules of engagement
• Support deployment, monitoring, and iterative improvement of AI-enabled systems, including model updates transferred into the environment
• Collaborate with program staff and stakeholders to refine requirements into working software

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI (poly required or in process)
• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of professional software development experience
• Strong Python proficiency and working knowledge of at least one additional language (JavaScript/TypeScript, Java, or similar)
• Hands-on experience with AI/ML concepts in real projects: model inference, embeddings, vector search, or prompt engineering
• Experience with REST APIs, JSON, SQL, and version control (Git)
• Comfort working in restricted or disconnected development environments, or demonstrated ability to adapt to them
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills; ability to work on-site in a SCIF full time

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience running or integrating locally hosted LLMs (Llama, Mistral, Hugging Face transformers, vLLM, Ollama, or similar) rather than solely commercial APIs
• Familiarity with PyTorch or similar ML frameworks
• Experience with Docker and CI/CD pipelines, especially in offline or artifact-mirrored setups
• Exposure to government cloud (Azure Government, AWS GovCloud) or IC/DoD program environments
• Understanding of data security, classification handling, and responsible AI practices
• Prior NRO or IC program experience

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE

At GDIT, the mission is our purpose, and our people are at the center of everything we do.

• Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities
• Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals
• Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off
• Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace

OWN YOUR OPPORTUNITY
Explore a career in data science and engineering at GDIT and you’ll find endless opportunities to grow alongside colleagues who share your determination for solving complex data challenges.

The likely salary range for this position is $142,792 - $189,750. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Travel Required

None

Telecommuting Options

Onsite

Work Location

USA VA Chantilly

Total Rewards at GDIT

Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post-tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long-term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.

Our Identity Verification Process

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.

About Our Work

We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission-ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development. Join our Talent Community to stay up to date on our career opportunities and events at gdit.com/tc.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans