Frontier AI Research Engineer, Lead

Booz Allen Hamilton; McLean (VA); Hybrid; USD 128,700 - 292,000; Full time

Job summary

Booz Allen Hamilton is seeking a Frontier AI Research Engineer, Lead to evaluate emerging AI advances, design and deliver end-to-end AI systems spanning infrastructure, frontier LLMs, agentic applications, and physical AI pipelines.

You will lead technical delivery, guide architectural decisions, and translate prototype learnings into scalable frameworks while collaborating with business units to integrate AI into complex environments.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in deep technical engineering.
• Experience designing and building advanced AI systems, including managing them.
• Experience developing AI prototypes, products, or high‑visibility technical demonstrations.
• Experience leading technical exchanges and evaluations with commercial partners and executive stakeholders.
• Experience with translating research into scalable, revenue‑generating solutions.
• Experience guiding R&D efforts from concept through implementation.
• Ability to create and drive technical roadmaps aligned with organizational goals.
• Ability to display high creativity, intellectual curiosity, and enthusiasm for showcasing innovative AI capabilities.
• Bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate emerging advancements across hyperscalers, leading AI labs, academia, and venture‑backed companies.
• Conduct hands‑on technical assessments, benchmarks, and proof‑of‑concepts to validate applicability and performance.
• Own the technical delivery of end‑to‑end AI systems spanning infrastructure, frontier LLMs, agentic and multi‑agent applications, and physical AI pipelines.
• Deliver working systems—not slideware.
• Work with business units to support hands‑on integration of emerging AI technologies in complex customer environments such as cloud, hybrid, edge, or disconnected.
• Ensure production rigor without sacrificing innovation speed.
• Provide day‑to‑day technical leadership to engineers and researchers.
• Conduct design reviews, guide architectural decisions, and raise the overall technical bar of the Applied Research team.
• Convert prototype learnings into reusable frameworks, reference architectures, accelerators, and technical artifacts that scale across programs and business units.

Skills

Deep technical engineering

AI system design

AI prototypes/products

Technical leadership

Translating research to revenue

R&D leadership

Technical roadmaps

Creativity & curiosity

Bachelor’s degree

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Doctorate preferred

Tools

MLOps

Cloud AI infrastructure

Job description

The Opportunity

Frontier Research operates at the edge of what’s possible to convert breakthrough capabilities into real‑world impacts. Frontier Research functions as both a strategic radar and an execution engine, turning frontier AI capabilities into differentiated IP, new product directions, and transformational business opportunities.

Job Title

Frontier AI Research Engineer, Lead

Responsibilities

• Evaluate emerging advancements across hyperscalers, leading AI labs, academia, and venture‑backed companies.
• Conduct hands‑on technical assessments, benchmarks, and proof‑of‑concepts to validate applicability and performance.
• Own the technical delivery of end‑to‑end AI systems spanning infrastructure, frontier LLMs, agentic and multi‑agent applications, and physical AI pipelines.
• Deliver working systems—not slideware.
• Work with business units to support hands‑on integration of emerging AI technologies in complex customer environments such as cloud, hybrid, edge, or disconnected.
• Ensure production rigor without sacrificing innovation speed.
• Provide day‑to‑day technical leadership to engineers and researchers.
• Conduct design reviews, guide architectural decisions, and raise the overall technical bar of the Applied Research team.
• Convert prototype learnings into reusable frameworks, reference architectures, accelerators, and technical artifacts that scale across programs and business units.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in deep technical engineering.
• Experience designing and building advanced AI systems, including managing them.
• Experience developing AI prototypes, products, or high‑visibility technical demonstrations.
• Experience leading technical exchanges and evaluations with commercial partners and executive stakeholders.
• Experience with translating research into scalable, revenue‑generating solutions.
• Experience guiding R&D efforts from concept through implementation.
• Ability to create and drive technical roadmaps aligned with organizational goals.
• Ability to display high creativity, intellectual curiosity, and enthusiasm for showcasing innovative AI capabilities.
• Bachelor’s degree.

Nice to Have

• Experience scaling AI systems from prototype to enterprise‑grade product environments.
• Experience in a leadership role of multidisciplinary engineering or research teams delivering high‑impact technical outcomes.
• Experience building or advising AI‑driven businesses, including monetization strategies and go‑to‑market planning.
• Experience with driving innovation programs, incubators, or R&D portfolios.
• Experience with cloud‑native AI infrastructure, MLOps, or large‑scale model deployment.
• Experience as a thought leader in AI, including speaking at technical keynotes, conferences, or public forums.
• Ability to engage and influence senior executives, commercial partners, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to display a record of published research, patents, or conference presentations in AI, ML, or emerging technologies.
• Ability to maintain a strong network within the AI research or engineering community to support recruiting and partnership development.
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, AI, or a related technical field preferred; Doctorate degree a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

At Booz Allen we offer comprehensive health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work‑life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and demonstration of our values. Full‑time and part‑time employees working at least 20 hours a week are eligible to participate in Booz Allen’s benefit programs. The projected compensation range for this position is $128,700.00 to $292,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of the total compensation package.

Work Model

• Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility.
• Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen facility frequently, in alignment with leadership expectations and the needs of the role. You may also be required to work from or visit a customer facility.
• Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed at a Booz Allen office or customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Commitment to Non‑Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.