Lead AI/ML Systems Engineer for Defense & Intelligence

Lever, Inc.; Aberdeen, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

NextGen Federal Systems is seeking an AI/ML Principal Engineer to partner with data scientists, ML engineers, and intelligence analysts. You will design, evaluate, and integrate advanced AI/ML capabilities across Military Operational Systems and NextGen products, shaping technical direction and supporting government stakeholders.

In this role you will lead cross-functional teams, validate solutions, and help transition cutting-edge models into operational environments, ensuring reliability,

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science or related field; MS/PhD preferred.
• 8+ years of AI/ML, analytics, or systems engineering experience.
• Ability to rapidly learn emerging technologies in evolving mission domains.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with data interpretation.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Deliver AI/ML-focused systems engineering expertise to validate technical and operational solutions.
• Design and develop AI/ML-based solutions for defense, intelligence, and mission applications.
• Contribute AI/ML engineering inputs to acquisition documents (SOWs, specifications, engineering plans, evaluation strategies).
• Prepare analysis products and strategic recommendations aligned to government objectives.
• Diagnose and resolve AI/ML system challenges to ensure reliability and mission readiness.
• Define problem spaces, lead studies, and supervise analytical data collection to support decision-making.
• Provide guidance and consultation to cross-functional personnel.
• Assist in implementing modern AI/ML frameworks, tools, and software development practices.
• Support development and assessment of research and SBIR topics, BOMs, RFPs, and related artifacts.
• Communicate progress clearly to leadership and government stakeholders.

Skills

Distributed data pipelines

AI/ML frameworks

Problem solving & analytics

Communication & collaboration

Model validation & performance

Security fundamentals

DoD/Federal domain knowledge

Education

BS in Computer Science or related field; MS/PhD preferred

Tools

Containerization

DevSecOps

CI/CD environments

Cloud/hybrid-edge environments

Job description

NextGen Federal Systems is seeking an AI/ML Principal Engineer to partner with data scientists, ML engineers, and intelligence analysts. You will design, evaluate, and integrate advanced AI/ML capabilities across Military Operational Systems and NextGen products, shaping technical direction and supporting government stakeholders.

In this role you will lead cross-functional teams, validate solutions, and help transition cutting-edge models into operational environments, ensuring reliability,