Al/ML Engineer Technical Lead - TS/SCI w Poly

Peraton; United States; On-site; USD 229,000 - 366,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days PTO

Bonus plan eligibility

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Peraton seeks an AI/ML Engineer Technology Lead to design, develop, and deploy enterprise AI/ML solutions. You will guide a team of AI/ML engineers, shape roadmaps with customer leadership, and ensure production-ready, secure deployments across cloud environments.

You will mentor teams, drive workforce planning, and advise on emerging AI technologies while collaborating with stakeholders to scale impact on mission-critical initiatives.

Qualifications

• 17 years with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Advanced Mathematics, or related field; or 10 years with a Master's; or 7 years with a Ph.D.
• Strong proficiency with Python and AI/ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, Keras).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Experience with MLOps, CI/CD, Docker, Kubernetes, and distributed systems.
• Understanding of data pipelines, model lifecycle, and scalable AI architectures.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI/ML technical leadership for design, development, testing, deployment, and productization.
• Mentor AI/ML engineering teams and guide workforce planning and hiring.
• Collaborate with customer leadership to define AI/ML roadmap and strategy.
• Develop scalable, secure production-ready AI/ML solutions across cloud environments.
• Oversee integration with enterprise data platforms and operational environments.

Skills

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit-learn

Keras

Cloud platforms AWS/Azure/GCP

Docker

Kubernetes

MLOps

Agile/DevSecOps

Security clearance TS/SCI

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/Data Science

Master's degree in CS/Engineering/Data Science

PhD in CS/Engineering/Data Science

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Spark

Kafka

Hadoop

Job description

Responsibilities

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled AI/ML Engineer Technology Lead to design, development, and deployment of advanced Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning solutions supporting mission‑critical enterprise initiatives. This role serves as the technical lead for enterprise AI/ML efforts, responsible for building, growing, and guiding a team of AI/ML engineering and practitioners. This individual collaborates with customer technical leadership to define and realize their AI/ML roadmap and is expected to bring both deep technical expertise and the business acumen necessary to develop strategy, manage stakeholder relationships, and scale a high‑performing team.

The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in machine learning, software engineering, cloud‑native technologies, and MLOps with strong leadership and customer engagement skills. This individual will help transform AI/ML prototypes into scalable, secure, production‑ready enterprise solutions while mentoring technical teams and collaborating with customer leadership.

Key Responsibilities ‑ AI/ML Technical Leadership

Technical Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as the primary point of contact (POC) for all AI/ML-related technical matters with customers and stakeholders
• Lead the design, development, testing, deployment, and productization of AI/ML technologies supporting mission‑critical objectives
• Develop and communicate AI/ML strategies and technical roadmaps aligned with customer and mission requirements
• Advise leadership on emerging AI/ML technologies, research areas, and industry advancements
• Represent AI/ML capabilities during customer engagements, briefings, demonstrations, and technical reviews
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to AI/ML engineering teams
• Support workforce planning, staffing strategy, hiring, and professional development initiatives

AI/ML Engineering & Development

• Design, develop, and optimize scalable machine learning and deep learning models for structured and unstructured data
• Transform research prototypes into secure, scalable, production‑ready enterprise solutions
• Support NLP, predictive analytics, anomaly detection, computer vision, and generative AI initiatives
• Evaluate and productize AI/ML models across commercial and government cloud architectures
• Integrate AI/ML solutions across enterprise systems, data platforms, and operational environments
• Ensure AI/ML solutions meet performance, scalability, reliability, and operational requirements

Cloud, MLOps & Enterprise Integration

• Develop production‑grade AI/ML pipelines, CI/CD workflows, and MLOps capabilities
• Provide system integration oversight across AI/ML pipelines and enterprise platforms
• Collaborate with software engineers, cloud architects, cybersecurity teams, and customer stakeholders
• Support deployment and optimization of AI/ML solutions across cloud‑native and distributed environments
• Evaluate emerging technologies and align technical solutions with operational and enterprise objectives

Qualifications

Core Competencies

• AI/ML Technical Leadership
• Cloud & Enterprise Architecture
• MLOps & Production AI Systems
• Team Building & Mentorship
• Strategic Problem Solving
• Mission‑Focused Innovation
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Required Qualifications

• 17 years with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Advanced Mathematics, or related technical field, or 10 years with a Master's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Advanced Mathematics, or related technical field, or 7 years with a Ph.D in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Advanced Mathematics, or related technical field
• Strong proficiency with Python and AI/ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit‑learn, or Keras
• Experience with cloud platforms including AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform
• Experience with MLOps, CI/CD pipelines, Docker, Kubernetes, and distributed systems
• Strong understanding of data pipelines, model lifecycle management, and scalable AI architectures
• Experience operating within Agile or DevSecOps environments
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Active/current TS/SCI security clearance with a current polygraph is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Intelligence Community (IC), DoD, or federal government programs
• Experience with Large Language Models (LLMs), Generative AI, RAG architectures, and vector databases
• Familiarity with AI governance, explainable AI (XAI), and responsible AI practices
• Experience with Spark, Kafka, Hadoop, or GPU‑enabled distributed computing platforms

Benefits

Peraton offers enhanced benefits to employees supporting this critical National Security program, which include heavily subsidized employee benefits coverage for you and your dependents, 25 days of PTO accrued annually up to a generous PTO cap, and eligibility to participate in an attractive bonus plan.

Investing in Your Growth

Selected candidates may be eligible for enhanced professional development opportunities, including training, certification programs, and skill‑building experiences tailored to individual strengths, career goals, and role‑specific requirements.

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next‑generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range

$229,000 - $366,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.