Artificial Intelligence and High-Performance Computing Practitioner

The Aerospace Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Paid holidays

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

401(k) Plan

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks a hands-on Project Engineer for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science/Big Data Mining, to serve the SPD within the National Systems Group. The role supports USG AI/HPC initiatives in a highly classified environment and requires on-site work with customers in Northern Virginia.

You will analyze AI and computing performance, translate research into mission-ready solutions, and collaborate with USG partners to deliver end-to-end technical insights for defense and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, high-performance computing, AI, or a related STEM field.
• 6 years of experience in AI/ML research, design, and implementation.
• Proficiency with Python, PyTorch, C, and related languages.
• Software development skills in ML engineering, algorithms, LLM deployment, and DL.
• Fluent in Linux and OS concepts from hardware to application layer.
• Experience with CUDA and GPU-accelerated computing.
• Current Top Secret/SCI clearance with polygraph; US citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Assess AI, ML, and advanced computing capabilities and risks.
• Provide practical, non-advocacy technical advice on AI/ML applications.
• Coordinate with Aerospace experts and USG partners for end-to-end insights.
• Collaborate onsite with customer and agencies to address issues.
• Deliver technical analyses and recommendations for informed decisions.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

CUDA

Linux

AI/ML

GPU HPC

Education

B.S. CS

Tools

CUDA

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space. The National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community (IC) and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch. Special Projects Directorate (SPD), under the National Systems Group, National Intelligence Division (NSG/NID), works to meet US national priorities as part of the Aerospace FFRDC. The scope of SPD varies from unclassified to some of the most sensitive programs, providing unique opportunities for Aerospace personnel to address exceptionally difficult mission problems. We require skills in space, aeronautics, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), signal processing, advanced sensing, microelectronics (design, fabrication, reliability), material processing, systems engineering and integration (SE&I), acquisition planning, and program management. SPD's unique access to data and customer missions requires the highest levels of security access and highest standards of conduct. SPD provides a unique opportunity to work fast-paced, sensitive, and specialized missions for the US Government (USG). We are seeking a hands-on, engaged, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC) Practitioner (Project Engineer - Artificial Intelligence and Data Science/Big Data Mining) for a technical role within SPD’s Applied Systems (AS) to provide technical expertise to USG Customer AI and HPC initiatives in a highly classified environment. The selected candidate will lead high-impact solutions to meet unique USG challenges; analyze AI and computing performance to inform USG and various mission partner investments; perform AI and large-scale software architecture and engineering in collaboration with other USG elements; and facilitate product deliverables. The selected candidate will draw on academic research and prior cyber, AI, and HPC experience to operationalize techniques, and translate expertise into practical, applied mission-ready solutions. This position is located with customers in Northern Virginia and requires partial on-site work.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Assess technology capabilities, implementation risk and opportunities, and integration for AI, machine learning, and advanced computing
• Leverage hands‑on technical expertise to ensure assessments and recommendations are grounded in practical implementation
• Provide objective, non‑advocacy technical advice on the application of AI and machine learning solutions across architectures and acquisition portfolios
• Coordinate with Aerospace technical experts and other FFRDC partners to ensure coherent, end‑to‑end technical insight
• Work effectively in an onsite environment with the customer, as well as with other USG agencies, non‑traditional partners, contractors, and Aerospace program offices to address issues and challenges
• Provide the customer with sound technical analyses, practitioner insights, and recommendations to ensure coherent, end‑to‑end technical capacity for informed decision‑making

What You Need to be Successful

• Minimum Requirements for the Project Engineer - Artificial Intelligence and Data Science/Big Data Mining:
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, high-performance computing, AI, or a related STEM field
• 6 years of experience in the research, design, and implementation of AI/machine learning algorithms
• Demonstrated experience with Python, PyTorch, C, and other programming languages and platforms
• Software development skills, including machine learning engineering, algorithm design, LLM deployment, and deep learning
• Fluency in Linux and operating system concepts, from the hardware layer to the application layer
• Experience with CUDA and GPU‑accelerated computing
• Experience with frontier AI development, from advanced LLM techniques to GPU/hardware design
• This position requires a Current Top Secret/SCI security clearance and a polygraph. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

• Advanced degree in engineering, mathematics, science, computer science, or another technical discipline
• Familiarity with Aerospace Corporation AI/HPC and data science practices, including technical evaluations and risk assessment
• Experience working in an FFRDC or trusted advisory environment
• Thorough understanding of the SPD Customer and the IC
• Familiarity with cybersecurity tools, tactics, techniques, and procedures
• Experience working collaboratively with multiple US departments and agencies

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade‑based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. (Min – Max) $129,000.00 - $193,500.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry‑leading benefits. Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company‑paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Right Place

The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.

Right Path

Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.

Right Purpose

We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.