Senior AI/ML Engineer

Ignite Digital Federal Services; Chesapeake (VA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and PTO

Education stipends

U.S. federal government projects

Volunteer/community engagement

Growth opportunities

Supportive management

Job summary

You will work in DoD/IC environments (IL4/IL5), collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and ensure governance, security and deployment through CI/CD pipelines. Requires 7+ years in AI/ML and data engineering, Python/SQL, and active DoD SECRET clearance; salary around $150k+.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of hands-on experience in AI/ML model development and data engineering.
• Proficiency with Python, SQL, cloud services (Azure, AWS GovCloud), and AI/ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn).
• Experience building and deploying ML models in secure DoD/IC environments.
• Experience supporting Navy, NAVWAR, NIWC, or related Defense organizations.
• Understanding of DevSecOps pipelines, CI/CD, security scanning, and automated deployment.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with mission users and technical SMEs.
• Experience with semantic layer development, analytics pipelines, or operational decisions-support systems.

Responsibilities

• Architect, build, and deploy AI/ML models within DoD-aligned environments (IL4/IL5).
• Execute end-to-end data science workflows: data ingestion, cleansing, feature engineering, model development, and deployment.
• Develop secure cloud-native pipelines using Azure ML, Snowflake Cortex AI, Databricks or similar platforms.
• Implement model governance, versioning, lineage, and audit controls per Navy security requirements.
• Collaborate with Forward Deployed Engineers, data engineers, DevSecOps, and Navy stakeholders to operationalize AI/ML capabilities.
• Support automation of analytics workflows, dashboards, semantic layers, and predictive models for decision support.
• Coordinate with cybersecurity teams to comply with Navy security, classification, SCIF, and DD254 requirements.

Skills

AI/ML development

Data engineering

Python

SQL

Cloud services

CI/CD

Communication

DoD environment

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's preferred

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Scikit-learn

Snowflake AI Data Cloud

Cortex AI

Databricks

Advana/Jupiter

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 technology expertise with 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 to accomplish mission objectives.

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 is seeking a Senior AI/ML Engineer to support a U.S. Navy program in the Norfolk, VA area. The candidate will design, develop, and deploy secure AI/ML models and intelligent automation capabilities in support of Navy operational workloads, readiness analytics, enterprise data harmonization, training systems, and decision intelligence platforms.

This role is ideal for a seasoned engineer with deep technical expertise, strong mission orientation, and experience working in DoW classified environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Architect, build, and deploy AI/ML models within DoWaligned environments (IL4/IL5).
• Execute endtoend data science workflows-data ingestion, cleansing, feature engineering, model development, optimization, validation, and production deployment.
• Develop secure cloudnative pipelines using Azure ML, Snowflake Cortex AI, Databricks, or similar platforms aligned with Navy standards.
• Implement model governance, versioning, lineage, and audit controls consistent with Navy security requirements.
• Work with Forward Deployed Engineers, data engineers, DevSecOps teams, and Navy mission stakeholders to operationalize AI/ML capabilities.
• Support automation of analytics workflows, dashboards, semantic layers, and predictive modeling functions for operational decision support.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure compliance with Navy security, classification, SCIF procedures, and DD254 requirements.
• Document technical artifacts and contribute to iterative prototyping cycles used across Navy portfolios.

Required Skills & Experience:

• 7+ years of handson experience in AI/ML model development and data engineering.
• Proficiency with Python, SQL, cloud services (Azure, AWS GovCloud), and AI/ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikitlearn).
• Experience building and deploying ML models in secure DoD/IC environments.
• Experience supporting Navy, NAVWAR, NIWC, or related Defense organizations.
• Understanding of DevSecOps pipelines, CI/CD, security scanning, and automated deployment.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with mission users and technical SMEs.
• Experience with Snowflake AI Data Cloud, Cortex AI, Databricks, or Advana/Jupiter platforms.
• Experience supporting Navy training systems, HR modernization pipelines, readiness analytics, or C4I environments.
• Familiarity with SCCA cloud environments, Flank Speed integration patterns, and rolebased access controls.
• Experience with semantic layer development, analytics pipelines, or operational decisionsupport systems.

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field.

Security Clearance:

• Active DoW SECRET clearance required.

Salary: $150k+ to align with education and experience.

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.