Senior AI/ML Engineer

Socket.dev; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Paid leave and bonuses

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

CFD Research is seeking a Senior AI/ML Engineer to design, build, and deploy advanced AI/ML solutions for national security. The role covers data processing, model development, MLOps, and integration of scalable AI capabilities into operational environments, with emphasis on NLP, LLMs, and computer vision.

You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver production‑grade systems while ensuring security, reliability, and performance in classified settings. U.S.

Job description

About CFD Research:

Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has delivered innovative technology solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, Intelligence & Sensing, and Energy & Materials industries. CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative component/system technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. Based in Huntsville, Alabama where laboratory facilities and headquarters are located, CFD Research also has office and laboratory facilities in Dayton, Ohio, prototyping test and evaluation facilities in Hollywood, Alabama, and office facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. CFD Research is an ISO9001:AS9100D registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for Services. CFD Research is a 100% ESOP (employee-owned company) recognized in Inc. Magazine's Inc5000 as a top growing company for four of the last five years. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com

CFD Research is seeking a Senior AI/ML Engineer, to design, build, and deploy advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions that modernize mission systems and accelerate decision‑making across the national security ecosystem. The candidate will contribute end‑to‑end—spanning data processing, model development, MLOps, and integration of scalable AI capabilities into operational environments.

The work will leverage deep experience with ML‑based NLP, LLMs and generative AI, computer vision, and modern software engineering practices, consistent with the firm’s AI/ML engineering role definitions. We value first-principles reasoning and physically interpretable models, so experience developing hybrid systems that combine calibrated sensor models, deterministic algorithms, probabilistic inference, and learned components is particularly desirable. Candidates should be motivated by building systems that are scientifically explainable, empirically validated, and capable of operating robustly across both synthetic and real‑world sensing environments. You will partner closely with cross‑functional engineering, mission SMEs, and product teams to deliver production‑grade systems aligned with Booz Allen’s AI modernization approaches.

• Design, develop, and implement AI/ML models—including NLP, LLM‑based pipelines, deep learning architectures, and computer vision models—aligned to mission requirements
• Build and optimize scalable data pipelines to support training, evaluation, and continuous improvement of models
• Develop end‑to‑end production systems including microservices, APIs, automation frameworks, and cloud‑native or edge‑deployed AI services
• Integrate AI/ML capabilities into operational environments with attention to security, reliability, observability, and performance
• Conduct model optimization, tuning, versioning, and AB testing to ensure robust mission impact
• Apply modern software engineering patterns (Python, Java, Scala, Rust; microservices; distributed systems) as consistent with Booz Allen’s AI/ML engineering frameworks
• Collaborate with multi‑disciplinary teams to identify mission needs, gather requirements, and define technical approaches
• Prepare technical documentation, contribute to design reviews, and support accreditation/security processes as required in classified environments

Basic Qualifications

• Experience in GPU programming, including CUDA or RAPIds
• Experience with AWS and containerization of models in a classified environment
• Experience with LLM orchestration, RAG pipelines, grounding, or hallucination‑mitigation workflows
• Experience with MLOps platforms, distributed training, or hybrid cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Familiarity with automated testing tools and model evaluation frameworks
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, AI/ML Engineering, Data Science, or related STEM field
• Industry certifications in AI/ML, cloud, or solution architecture
• 5+ years of experience developing machine learning models (such as: NLP/LLM, CV, deep learning, generative AI, reinforcement learning, or other related)
• 5+ years experience developing AI/ML capabilities to operate in a microservice stack
• Experience developing or maintaining production‑grade APIs, microservices, or distributed systems
• Experience with data processing frameworks and scientific computing libraries (such as: NumPy, Pandas, PyTorch, TensorFlow, or scikit‑learn)
• Experience designing, configuring, or deploying software systems in operational environments
• Experience with CI/CD tooling, source control (such as GitLab) and containerization technologies (such as: Docker, Podman, or Kubernetes)
• U.S. Citizenship is REQUIRED.
• ACTIVE TS/SCI clearance IS REQUIRED, and willingness to take a polygraph
• Bachelor's degree in a related STEM field

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in GPU programming, including CUDA or RAPIds
• Experience with AWS and containerization of models in a classified environment
• Experience with LLM orchestration, RAG pipelines, grounding, or hallucination‑mitigation workflows
• Experience with MLOps platforms, distributed training, or hybrid cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Familiarity with automated testing tools and model evaluation frameworks
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, AI/ML Engineering, Data Science, or related STEM field
• Industry certifications in AI/ML, cloud, or solution architecture

Benefits

CFD Research offers competitive salaries and excellent employee benefits, including an employer matching 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). CFD Research offers our Full-Time, permanent employee-owners a highly competitive insurance package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance. Additionally, we offer company paid leave, compensation time, parental leave, long-term and short-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, and life insurance. Part-Time and Temporary employee-owners may receive partial or reduced benefits and leave time based on their employment status level. Performance appraisals occur twice a year and annual pay increases are based upon corporate goals, personal development, performance, and outstanding achievements. In addition, group and individual bonuses are awarded for exceptional performance.

CFD Research is an EO employer - Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories