AI Software Engineer - Expert

Dark Wolf; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Dark Wolf in Chantilly/Herndon, VA seeks an AI Software Engineer - Expert to lead the architectural design and implementation of high-throughput AI platforms. You will build complex agentic LLM workflows and optimize model performance for resource-constrained environments.

You will also manage multi-cloud infrastructure, drive DevSecOps practices, and mentor engineering teams while aligning with Agile sprint cycles.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead the 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 IaC 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 teams.

Skills

RAG architectures

Model quantization

MLOps

Python

C++

Go

Kubernetes

Agile / Scrum

Multi-cloud architecture

DevSecOps

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering (Master’s preferred)

Tools

Terraform

Kubernetes

IaC tooling

Service mesh

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

Chantilly/Herndon, VA.

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.