Senior A.I Engineer

Knexus; United States; Remote; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Knexus Research seeks a Senior AI Software Engineer to lead end-to-end development of AI-powered software for government and commercial use. You will architect, implement, and test AI-enabled systems, shaping the technical direction for the team and owning core components across the stack.

We require 8+ years of software experience, expertise in Python, strong OO design, and experience with GenAI. This is a fully remote role for continental U.S.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of software development experience with end-to-end ownership.
• Mastery of object-oriented design and programming patterns.
• Proficient in Python; working knowledge of JS/TS/C++ is a plus.
• Experience building/operating GenAI-powered applications.
• U.S. citizenship with eligibility for Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across architecture, design, and delivery of AI-enabled software systems.
• Own modular system design within distributed architectures and RESTful microservices.
• Define production orchestration of LLM-backed features and evaluation workflows.
• Analyze runtime performance and implement algorithmic improvements with measurable results.
• Apply agile practices and establish design reviews, testing, and delivery standards.
• Mentor engineers on design, algorithms, and production use of LLMs.

Skills

Object-oriented design

Algorithms

Python

Technical leadership

GenAI

Tools

Docker

Node

REST APIs

Firebase

PostgreSQL

Job description

Senior AI Software Engineer

We're looking for a Senior AI Software Engineer with 8+ years of experience to join our AI applications team. This is a fully remote position for candidates in the continental U.S., with work hours aligned to the Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone. You will lead work across the software development lifecycle, from architecture and initial design through delivery, creating AI-powered software products that aid military commanders and business leaders in making mission-critical decisions. The ideal candidate will have exceptional algorithmic and problem-solving skills, a strong background in software engineering, and a record of owning systems end to end, enabling them to make an immediate impact and raise the technical bar for the team. We are committed to providing you with the necessary tools and training to produce world-class software.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Lead the collaborative design, implementation, and testing of AI-enabled software systems. This role involves leveraging cutting-edge technologies, including GenAI and machine learning models, and setting the technical direction for how those components are built and evaluated.
• Architecture and Modular Systems: Own the design of modular systems within a distributed architecture, such as RESTful containerized microservices, including interfaces, data contracts, and failure modes.
• GenAI in Production: Define how LLM-backed features are orchestrated, tested, evaluated, and changed without rewriting the product.
• Performance Optimization: Review and analyze software runtime performance, making algorithmic and performance improvements with measured results.
• Engineering Practices: Use agile development techniques throughout the project lifecycle, and set expectations for design review, testing, and delivery on the work you own.
• Mentorship: Mentor other engineers on object-oriented design, algorithmic choices, and production use of LLMs. This is a senior individual-contributor role; people management is not required.

Qualifications And Experience

• Experience: 8+ years of experience in software development, including design, coding, testing, and delivery, with a record of owning systems rather than only contributing tasks. Candidates at the top of a 6–8 year band with clear technical leadership may be considered.
• Core Skills: You should have mastery in object-oriented design and programming, as well as knowledge of design patterns and algorithmic analysis.
• Programming Languages: Expert proficiency in Python is a must. Experience with other languages such as JavaScript, TypeScript, or C++ is useful but not critical.
• GenAI: Experience building and operating applications that use LLMs as a core component, including evaluation, failure handling, and a deployment path.
• Work Environment: Experience leading technical decisions on a small, remote team is preferred. Formal management experience is optional.
• Government Clearance: You must be a U.S. citizen and eligible for a government security clearance (Secret Clearance). An active or prior Secret is strongly preferred.

Bonus Experience

• AI/ML: Production experience with AI and/or machine learning beyond API calls, including model integration and comparison of approaches.
• Specialized Knowledge: Experience with discrete event simulation, geospatial and/or temporal databases, and performing scientific evaluations and comparisons is highly valued.
• Google Cloud Platform: Experience using and deploying technologies onto GCP, existing GCP credentials, and familiarity with Vertex AI.
• Technical Familiarity: Familiarity with technologies such as Docker, Node, and REST APIs is a bonus. Experience with database systems such as Firebase and PostgreSQL, in systems you have operated.

About Knexus

At Knexus Research, we are at the forefront of AI development for the government, with a mission to revolutionize how government serves its citizens. As a pioneer in the field, we've spent nearly two decades pushing the boundaries of what is possible with artificial intelligence. Our work has a direct, mission-driven impact, and we believe that our innovative ideas help us stay ahead of the curve. Our partnership with Google Cloud gives our team unparalleled access to the latest tools and expertise.