Lead AI/ML Engineer

Applicable Limited; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a visionary Lead AI/ML Engineer to drive innovation in AI and ML solutions. This role involves full-stack development and leadership in AI solution architecture, requiring deep expertise in building scalable AI systems and mentoring engineers. The ideal candidate will work on model development, data engineering, and deployment while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver tailored AI solutions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in AI/ML engineering.
• Minimum 4 years of experience delivering GenAI solutions.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and implement machine learning models.
• Build data ingestion and transformation pipelines.
• Deploy models to production and create APIs.

Skills

AI

ML

Leadership

Communication

Education

AI/ML certifications

Tools

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Databricks

SageMaker

Snowflake

Vertex AI

Job description

Req ID: 323683

NTT DATA strives to hire exceptional, innovative, and passionate individuals who want to grow with us. If you want to be part of an inclusive, adaptable, and forward-thinking organization, apply now.

We are currently seeking a Lead AI/ML Engineer to join our team in Ashburn, Virginia (US-VA), United States (US).

We are seeking a visionary and hands-on Lead AI/ML Engineer to drive innovation and delivery across AI, GenAI, and ML Ops solutions for enterprise and government sectors. This role combines full-stack development with advanced machine learning engineering, operational excellence, and leadership in AI solution architecture. The ideal candidate is a technical leader with deep expertise in building scalable AI systems, mentoring engineers, and deploying impactful solutions in complex, high-stakes environments.

Job Responsibilities Include

Model Development & Implementation

• Evaluate, fine-tune, and implement machine learning models, including large language models (LLMs), focusing on adapting existing models to meet specific business needs.
• Build and train ML models, including defining preprocessing, feature engineering, validation strategies, and hyperparameter tuning.
• Analyze ML algorithms for suitability, assess error patterns, and develop strategies for continuous model improvement.
• Identify opportunities for transfer learning and relevant training datasets.

Data Engineering & Infrastructure

• Build data ingestion and transformation pipelines to support model training and deployment.
• Verify data quality, perform data cleaning, and oversee data acquisition processes as needed.
• Design and implement enterprise ML platforms, feature stores, and SDKs to support reproducible, scalable ML applications.
• Author and maintain Python packages for data science and engineering teams.

Deployment & Integration

• Deploy models to production and create APIs to integrate AI models into business operations.
• Support the migration and monitoring of cloud-based NLP environments.
• Drive cybersecurity practices in AI platform deployments.

Research & Innovation

• Lead R&D of GenAI tools, including staffing and coding assistants for federal agencies.
• Develop and evaluate AI-driven tools such as pull request classifiers and coding support tools.
• Architect and operationalize vectorization pipelines for structured and unstructured data.

Technical Leadership & Strategy

• Provide technical leadership in AI technologies, including GenAI, machine learning, deep learning, and NLP.
• Ensure the technical quality of AI solutions, including architecture, design, implementation, and deployment.
• Scope, plan, and manage complex AI projects from inception to delivery.
• Assist AI product managers and stakeholders in understanding AI models' potential and limitations.

Collaboration & Client Engagement

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and build strong client relationships to propose tailored AI/ML solutions.

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in AI/ML engineering, software development, or related fields.
• Minimum 4 years of experience delivering GenAI solutions and scalable ML Ops platforms in enterprise and federal contexts.
• Minimum 4 years of software engineering experience in Python.
• Minimum 4 years of experience with ML/AI platforms like Databricks, SageMaker, Snowflake, and Vertex AI.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with AI frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and deploying AI models.
• Minimum 1 year of experience managing engineering teams and mentoring junior staff.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• AI/ML certifications from recognized platforms.
• Experience developing SDKs, CLI tools, and automation scripts.
• Experience working with LLM architecture and fine-tuning LLMs.
• Knowledge of generative models, GANs, and transformer-based models.
• Understanding of ethical standards in AI.
• Proficiency in multiple programming languages.
• Strong communication skills for engaging both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Active participation in the AI/ML community.

#FEDSEC

About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a $30 billion global leader in business and technology services, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We are committed to innovation, diversity, and sustainability, with expertise across more than 50 countries. Our services include consulting, data and AI, industry solutions, and more. Visit us at us.nttdata.com.

We are dedicated to accessibility and equal opportunity. For accommodations or inquiries, contact us at https://us.nttdata.com/en/contact-us. We value diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices.