Principal AI/ML Engineer (Large Language Model)

CACI; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 115,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

TS/SCI clearance support

Competitive benefits

Job summary

CACI is seeking a Principal AI/ML Engineer (Large Language Model) to lead ML/LLM initiatives across multiple disciplines. You will mentor a diverse team of developers and researchers, apply LLMs to defense and commercial tasks, fine-tune foundation models, and deploy solutions using Kubernetes and cloud resources.

Strong TS/SCI clearance and 10+ years of experience are required. The role emphasizes collaboration with leadership, ongoing publications review, and building state-of-the-art AI

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance required.
• 10+ years in software/data science with 2+ years building LLM apps.
• Experience fine-tuning foundation models and building adapters (PEFT, llama factory).
• Experience with Python data science libraries (PyTorch, TensorFlow, OpenCV, NumPy, Pandas, scikit-learn).

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplined team of developers and researchers to implement ML algorithms for diverse customers.
• Apply LLMs to remote sensing applications (tasking, gaps in collection plans, pattern analysis).
• Fine-tune models and build adapters for new applications (PEFT, llama factory).
• Use RAG to populate and query vector databases (Weaviate).
• Build applications with LangChain, DSPy; deploy LLM solutions across cloud and on-prem using Kubernetes.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

LangChain

DSPy

Kubernetes

CUDA

ReAct

Weaviate

Pinecone

C++

Java

Rust

LLMs

RAG

OpenCV

Education

BS in machine learning, CS, or math

MS or PhD in ML/CS/Math

Tools

LLM frameworks (LangChain, DSPy)

Weaviate, Pinecone

llama.cpp, vllm, tgi

AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda)

Docker, Kubernetes

Job description

Job Title: Principal AI/ML Engineer (Large Language Model)

Job Category: Science

Time Type: Full time

Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI

Employee Type: Regular

Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 10%

Type of Travel: Local

Anticipated Posting End: 12/2/2026

The Opportunity:

The Principal AI/ML Engineer will support the development of AI/ML algorithms in a multitude of disciplines from object detection/classification, natural language processing, reinforcement learning, and large language models.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplined team consisting of developers and researchers to implement machine learning algorithms to solve a broad set of challenges for our various customers
• Apply Large Language Models (LLMs) to a variety of applications within remote sensing such as tasking collections, identifying gaps in collection plans, analyzing patterns of life, and more.
• Fine tune foundation models and building adaptors for new applications (llama factory, PEFT)
• Apply retrieval augmented generation (RAG) techniques to data to populate and query vector databases (e.g. Weaviate)
• Build custom applications with LLM frameworks such as LangChain, DSPy
• Deploy LLM solutions across cloud-based and local resources using kubernetes (llama.ccp, vllm etc)
• Analyze large multi-domain datasets such as images, text and/or graph data, to identify statistically relevant features to build models that provide analysts with actionable data
• Review relevant publications to understand and apply cutting edge concepts to defense and commercial applications
• Interface with both internal and external leadership to communicate technical status

Qualifications:

Required:

• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• BS in machine learning, computer science, mathematics, or related fields.
• 10+ years of experience, preferably in software development or as a data scientist with 2+ years of building LLM applications using some of the following:
  • Fine-tuning foundational models
    • Steering Techniques (e.g Sparse auto encoders, representation tuning)
    • Building adapters to use foundational models (e.g. PEFT, llama factory)
  • Prompt engineering techniques / Inference time techniques (e.g. chain of thought, tree of thoughts, etc.)
  • Using Retrieval Augmented Generation techniques to populate and query vector databases (e.g. Weaviate, pinecone)
  • Using LLM Frameworks (e.g. LangChain, DSPy)
  • Using AI APIs ( e.g AWS Bedrock, OpenAI)
  • Using LLM deployment frameworks (eg llama.cpp, vllm, tgi)
  • Developing UIs with ReAct
• Experience leading an interdisciplinary team of researchers and software developers and working with a program manager to define project scope and schedule to ensure we meet project milestones as defined by our customers
• Experience with Python and data science / machine learning libraries (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, OpenCV, NumPy, Pandas, Polars, scikit-learn, etc.

Desired:

• MS or PhD in machine learning, computer science, mathematics, or related fields.
• Experience leading an interdisciplinary team of researchers and software developers
• Experience with any of the following Computer Vision domains:
  • Large Language Models and experience identifying ways to incorporate them into new areas and applications
  • Applying Transformer-based architectures to domains in other areas outside of Natural Language Processing (NLP) such as computer vision
  • Object detection algorithms such as YOLO and Faster-RCNN
  • Natural Language Processing algorithms such as BERT
  • Generative Adversarial Networks and Variational Autoencoders
  • Reinforcement learning and familiarity with Gymnasium Gym, RLlib, and Stable Baselines
  • Applying clustering algorithms and/or deep neural networks to real life problems
  • Implementing tracking and pattern-of-life algorithms
• Experience with Machine Learning libraries and frameworks such as HuggingFace and LangChain
• Experience with Computer Vision libraries such as OpenCV, Nerfstudio, FiftyOne, etc.
• Experience with Linux
• Familiarity with using AWS cloud computing resources such as EC2, S3, Lambda, etc.
• Experience with any of the following additional languages: Java, C++, Rust, Go, and/or C#
• Experience implementing algorithms on the GPU in Python or C++ using CUDA and other CUDA libraries
• Experience with implementing tracking and pattern-of-life algorithms
• Experience in application deployment, virtualization, and containerization (e.g. Podman, Docker, Kubernetes, Rancher)
• Experience working with various Remote Sensing datasets (e.g. EO/OPIR/SAR images, passive RF, etc.)
• Experience shaping and writing proposals

What You Can Expect:

A culture of integrity.

At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.

An environment of trust.

CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.

A focus on continuous growth.

Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.

Pay Range

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.

Since this position can be worked in more than one location, the range shown is the national average for the position.

The proposed salary range for this position is:

$114,600-$252,100

CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.