Mid AI/ML Engineer

Ignite Digital Federal Services; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 129,386 - 158,139; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Education stipend

Referral bonuses

Government work

Volunteer program

Industry impact

Job summary

Ignite Digital Services seeks an AI/ML Engineer to independently develop and optimize ML models, pipelines, and platform components for a federal data ecosystem.

You will build RAG architectures, scalable training infrastructure, and production-ready deployments while collaborating with stakeholders to accelerate mission-driven insights. National Capital Region site with hybrid telework potential exists, and candidates must meet security eligibility.

Qualifications

• LLM/AI model development and RAG architectures experience.
• Proficient with ML Ops tools MLFlow, Kubeflow, Airflow.
• Advanced scripting in Python, JavaScript, and Rust.
• Experience deploying models on AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Ability to work independently with broad responsibilities.
• U.S. Citizenship with Secret or TS/SCI eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Independently develop and optimize ML models, pipelines, and platform components.
• Build RAG architectures and high-performing inference systems.
• Create scalable infrastructure for 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-based systems

RAG architectures

MLOps

Python

JavaScript

Rust

AWS

Azure

GCP

Independence

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/Mathematics or related field

Security+ and other certifications (CCSP, CFR, FITSP-M, GSEC, SSCP, CISSP)

Tools

MLFlow

Kubeflow

Airflow

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

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