Mission-Critical AI Systems Engineer & Senior Advisor

Peraton; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking an expert-level systems engineer to provide strategic program management and SETA support for multiple AI/ML and data analytics initiatives within a mission-critical intelligence environment. You will interface with senior government stakeholders, coordinate cross-functional teams and vendors, and guide acquisition activities from concept to deployment.

The role requires dynamic leadership, strong communication, and a proven ability to manage complex projects across divisions

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with poly clearance.
• Experience interfacing with senior government leadership and influencing decisions.
• Experience with cross-functional teams, project managers, and end users.
• Knowledge of government contracting and acquisition processes (FAR, OTA, COTR).
• Ability to provide technical guidance to COTRs.
• Experience with Agile methodologies and sprint-based development.
• Understanding of SDLC and system development lifecycles.
• Experience managing full project lifecycles from concept to deployment.
• Experience documenting workflows and CONOPS.
• Requirements gathering, analysis, and prioritization.
• Experience identifying risks and mitigations.
• Experience with AI/ML platforms and data analytics.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and visualize data for decisions.
• Experience capturing UI/UX requirements for products.
• Experience working with large language models (LLMs).
• Excellent written and verbal communication for technical and executive audiences.
• Strong facilitation and coordination across cross-functional teams.
• Experience producing technical docs, presentations, A&A artifacts, and leadership briefings.

Responsibilities

• Establish scope, metrics, roadmaps, and deliverables for AI/ML and data analytics projects.
• Prioritize requirements with program teams using Agile methodologies.
• Identify risks and develop/monitor mitigations.
• Provide technical support and guidance to COTRs on contract performance and technical matters.
• Monitor and respond to action items and weekly highlights.
• Support division leadership with high-level awareness of AI/ML projects.
• Mentor junior staff and interns.
• Document workflows, processes, and requirements.
• Produce leadership briefs, strategic plans, CONOPS, and risk matrices.
• Maintain knowledge repositories (Confluence, Hive) and distribution lists.
• Coordinate TEMs with government stakeholders, development teams, and vendors.
• Serve as liaison between division and department front office.
• Coordinate vendor activities across multiple contracts and remove blockers.
• Facilitate demonstrations, trainings, and outreach activities.
• Coordinate weekly division meetings with action tracking.
• Test and evaluate AI/ML platforms and capabilities to assess readiness.
• Analyze data and create user feedback mechanisms to inform priorities.

Skills

Agile methodologies

Systems engineering

Project management

Leadership

Executive communication

COTR guidance

Data analytics

LLMs familiarity

Cloud computing

Education

BS/BA in STEM

MS/MA in STEM

PhD

Experience substituting 4 years for degree

Tools

Confluence

Hive

MS Outlook

PowerPoint

Word

Excel

SharePoint

Docker

Kubernetes

Git

Job description

Peraton is seeking an expert-level systems engineer to provide strategic program management and SETA support for multiple AI/ML and data analytics initiatives within a mission-critical intelligence environment. You will interface with senior government stakeholders, coordinate cross-functional teams and vendors, and guide acquisition activities from concept to deployment.

The role requires dynamic leadership, strong communication, and a proven ability to manage complex projects across divisions