Mid AI/ML Engineer

Ignite Digital; Washington; Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

PTO

Education stipends

Referral bonuses

Federal government work

Volunteer program

Growth opportunities

Supportive colleagues

Job summary

Ignite Digital in the National Capital Region seeks an AI/ML Engineer to independently contribute to developing and optimizing advanced AI/ML systems for a large federal enterprise multi-domain data ecosystem.

You will build and deploy ML models, RAG architectures, and scalable infrastructure, collaborating with diverse stakeholders to accelerate mission-driven insights while operating with autonomy within a larger project-management environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, engineering, mathematics, or related field.
• 3+ years AI/ML professional experience.
• Intermediate certifications (CCSP, CFR, FITSP-M, GSEC, Security+, SSCP) or advanced certifications (SecurityX/CASP+, GCSA, GSLC, CISSP).

Responsibilities

• Independently develop and optimize ML models, pipelines, and platform components.
• Build RAG architectures and high-performing inference systems.
• Create scalable infrastructure to support training, experimentation, and deployment.
• Lead integration of AI/ML models into production systems.
• Conduct advanced troubleshooting and performance tuning.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to accelerate mission-driven insights.

Skills

LLM systems

RAG architectures

ML tooling

Python

JavaScript

Rust

AWS

Azure

GCP

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/Math

3+ years AI/ML experience

Tools

MLFlow

Kubeflow

Airflow

Databricks

Vector databases

Job description

Ignite Digital enables national security agencies to accelerate decisions, elevate operational outcomes and achieve the outsized performance only an inside partner can deliver.

We combine mission experience, domain knowledge and technologyexpertisewith the things partners can only know by being there every day. When agencies need a combination of tech and touch, Ignite Digital creates outcome-driving partnerships and stands with agencies toaccomplishmissionobjectives.

Ignite Digital accelerates capability to the speed of every mission, deploying intelligent solutions and AI integration for faster, better transformation. Ignite delivers partnership beyond presentations to inspire the confidence to lead in a digital-forward world.

Ignite Digital. The Edge from Within.

Perks of Working at Ignite Digital:

• Competitive pay and benefits, including PTO
• Education stipends and referral bonuses
• Compelling work with the U.S. federal government
• Strong emphasis on volunteer and community engagement
• Opportunity to shape the future of our industry
• Supportive colleagues and management who invest in your growth

Ignite Digital Services is hiringanAI/ML Engineer to independentlycontribute to developing and optimizingadvanced AI/ML systemsand componentsinsupportofalargefederalenterprise multi-domain data ecosystem. You will operate with autonomy, apply creative solutions, and influence major technical deliverables, while delivering within a larger team project managementenvironment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Independently develop and optimize ML models, pipelines, and platform components.

• Build RAGarchitecturesand high-performing inference systems.

• Create scalable infrastructure to support training, experimentation, and deployment.

• Lead integration of AI/ML models into production systems.

• Conduct advanced troubleshooting and performance tuning.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to accelerate mission-driveninsights.

Required Skills:

• Deep experience building LLM-based systems and RAGarchitectures.

• Strong proficiency inMLOpstools (e.g.MLFlow, Kubeflow, Airflow).

• Advanced scripting (e.g.Python, JavaScript,Rust).

• Expertise deploying models on AWS,Azure, or GCP.

• Ability to work independently with broad responsibilities.

Desired Skills:

• Experience with scientific datasets or multi-domain research workflows.

• Familiarity withAWS Bedrock, Databricks, vector databasesor comparable technologies.

• Strong foundation in prompt engineering or AI agents.

• Experience working with federal clients.

Clearance Requirements:

• U.S. Citizen — Secret or TS/SCI eligible

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degreein CS, engineering, mathematics, or related field.

• 3+yearsAI/ML professional experience.

• Intermediatecertifications(CCSP, CFR, FITSP-M, GSEC, Security+ , SSCP) oradvancedcertifications (SecurityX/CASP+, GCSA, GSLC, CISSP).

Work Location: National Capital Region

• On client site with potential for hybrid telework

Internal Salary Guidance:

• Maximum salaryfor T&M Rate card: $143,762.77

Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Ignite Digital is a Small Business committed to providing exceptional service to government agencies at competitive prices. The capabilities and experience of our staff and our extensive industry relationships distinguish Ignite Digital Services among government contractors.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

For individuals who would like to request an accommodation, please visit https://bit.ly/2XqZoLM (CA) or https://bit.ly/3Eo922f (SC) or contact Human Resources. Ignite Digital Services will not make any posting or employment decision that does not comply with applicable laws relating to labor and employment, equal employment opportunity, employment eligibility requirements or related matters. Nor will Ignite Digital Services require, in a posting or otherwise, U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency in the U.S. as a condition of employment except as necessary to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or federal, state, or local government contract.

OFCCP’S Pay Transparency Rule

EEO is the Law Poster