AI Software Engineer - Expert

Darkwolfsolutions; Chantilly, Herndon (VA, VA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Dark Wolf is seeking an AI Software Engineer - Expert to lead the architecture, optimization, and implementation of high-throughput AI platforms. You will build complex agentic LLM workflows and steer multi-cloud deployments.

Ideal candidates have TS/SCI clearance and 7–10+ years of software engineering and systems architecture experience. This full-time role is based in Chantilly/Herndon, VA, with salary range $165,000–$200,000 and competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• US citizen with active TS/SCI and Full-Scope Polygraph.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 7–10+ years of software engineering and systems architecture experience, with leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural execution and implementation of enterprise AI applications and complex agent workflows.
• Optimize model inference speed, memory efficiency, and quantization for air-gapped deployments.
• Design resilient multi-cloud container infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code tooling.
• Establish security scanning frameworks and lead vulnerability remediation across production systems.
• Serve as a technical lead, driving Agile sprint deliverables, managing technical debt, and mentoring engineering teams.

Skills

Python

C++

Go

Asynchronous

Terraform

Kubernetes

Agile Leadership

MLOps

Security

Multi-cloud

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS/Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Terraform

IaC tooling

CI/CD pipelines

Containerization

Job description

Dark Wolf constructs and deploys data management and analytics solutions for the defense and intelligence communities. We’re proud to boast a world-class engineering team that thrives on rolling up their sleeves to solve your mission’s biggest challenges.

Dark Wolf is seeking an AI Software Engineer - Expert to lead the technical architecture, optimization, and implementation of high-throughput AI platforms. You will be responsible for building complex agentic LLM workflows, optimizing model performance for resource-constrained environments, managing multi-cloud architecture, and driving software engineering best practices across development pods.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural execution and implementation of enterprise AI applications and complex agent workflows.
• Optimize model inference speed, memory efficiency, and quantization techniques for air-gapped deployments.
• Design resilient multi-cloud container infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tooling.
• Establish security scanning frameworks and lead vulnerability remediation efforts across production systems.
• Serve as a technical lead, driving Agile sprint deliverables, managing technical debt, and mentoring engineering teams.

Required Qualifications:

• Clearance: Must be a US Citizen holding an active TS/SCI security clearance with an active Full-Scope Polygraph.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Experience: 7-10+ years of software engineering and systems architecture experience, with demonstrated leadership.

Technical Competencies:

• AI Frameworks: Advanced knowledge of RAG architectures, framework customization, and orchestration strategies.
• AI Models: Expertise in model quantization, distillation, and custom multi-agent system design.
• Machine Learning: Extensive experience with MLOps pipeline automation, model inference optimization, and deployment lifecycle.
• Programming & Scripting: High-level mastery of Python, C++, Go, and asynchronous programming design.
• Containerization: Deep experience with Kubernetes cluster management, service mesh integration, and orchestration.
• Agile Frameworks: Proven experience acting as a Technical Pod Lead or Scrum Master driving development execution.
• Multi-Cloud Architecture: Multi-cloud systems architecture experience using Terraform and cloud-native frameworks.
• Security Scanning Tooling: Expert knowledge of DevSecOps security integrations, compliance checks, and remediation strategies.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced Certifications: AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), or Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA).
• Proven track record deploying complex AI models in classified, air-gapped intelligence networks.

Position Clearance Requirement

US Citizenship with an active TS/SCI security clearance with Full-Scope Polygraph

Location

Location: Chantilly/Herndon, VA.

Target Salary Range

Target Salary Range: $165,000.00 – $200,000.00 (Commensurate with specialized expertise and technical skillset).

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

We are strictly looking for direct, full-time W2 employees. We do not engage with third-party staffing agencies, C2C, or 1099 independent contractors for this role.