Senior AI Technical Lead

Credence; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental &amp

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & H"

Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

Short Term & Long Term Disability

Training & Development

Job summary

Credence is seeking a Senior AI Technical Lead to design and steer cutting‑edge AI solutions for federal programs. You will guide cross‑functional teams, shape technical strategy, and mentor engineers in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment with a hands‑on leadership style.

You will work across AI/ML development, cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP), and enterprise‑scale systems, ensuring security and compliance while advancing modernization initiatives for national missions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in AI/ML or related field required.
• Minimum 5+ years hands-on AI/ML solution development experience.
• Proven experience leading AI/ML initiatives or technical teams.
• Strong knowledge of AI/ML frameworks and cloud deployment.
• Proficiency in Python and TypeScript; experience with cloud platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of scalable AI/ML models and systems.
• Translate business needs into technical AI/ML solutions for federal missions.
• Oversee AI/ML lifecycle including architecture, experiments, and optimization.
• Collaborate with DevOps, Data Eng, and Cybersecurity to productionize AI.
• Provide mentorship and conduct code/design reviews for engineers.
• Evaluate emerging AI/ML tools and frameworks to drive innovation.

Skills

AI/ML leadership

Python

TypeScript

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

CI/CD & DevOps

Agile methodologies

Team mentoring

Security & compliance knowledge

U.S. Citizenship

Education

Master’s degree in AI, ML, or related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Git/Jira

Job description

Overview

Join a team where innovation meets mission. Our AI, cloud, cyber, and modernization solutions save agencies thousands of hours, safeguard national security, and strengthen health and humanitarian missions worldwide. With 1,700+ team members, 1,500+ AI/data experts, and 100+ prime contracts, we deliver at scale and with purpose.

We’ve been recognized as a Top Workplace by the Washington Post for six straight years and named to the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies 13 of the past 14 years. Credence is a welcoming home for those looking to grow and contribute to positive change. We encourage all employees to expand beyond their boundaries, dive into important world-changing Federal challenges.

Position Summary

Credence has an immediate need for a Senior AI Technical Lead to join our growing AI and Automation practice. In this role, you will design and lead the development of cutting-edge AI solutions that drive real-world impact across federal programs. You will guide cross-functional teams, shape technical strategy, and mentor engineers in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on leader with a strong background in AI/ML development, cloud platforms, and enterprise-scale systems design.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of scalable AI and ML models and systems
• Translate business requirements into technical solutions across multiple federal missions
• Oversee the AI/ML development lifecycle, including architecture design, experimentation, and performance optimization
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (DevOps, Data Engineering, Cybersecurity) to integrate AI into production environments
• Provide technical mentorship and conduct code/design reviews for junior and mid-level engineers
• Research and evaluate emerging AI/ML tools, technologies, and frameworks to drive innovation
• Ensure all solutions meet federal security, compliance, and cloud architecture standards

• Master’s degree in AI, Machine Learning, or a related field
• Minimum of 5+ years of hands‑on experience in AI/ML solution development
• Demonstrated experience leading AI/ML initiatives or technical teams
• Strong understanding of agentic AI including Transformers, Model Context Protocol, Agent2Agent Protocol, LangGraph, and other modern frameworks.
• Proficiency in Python and Typescript for application development and advanced scripting,
• Experience deploying AI solutions in AWS, Azure, or GCP environments
• Familiarity withCI/CD, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and DevOps principles
• Experience with Agile methodologies and tools (e.g., Git, Jira)
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible to obtain a DoD Secret clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding of data engineering and data modeling concepts
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, Zero Trust Architecture, RMF and FedRAMP compliance
• Prior experience with federal or public sector digital modernization projects
• Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma, ITIL, or service-oriented architecture (SOA) frameworks

Salary Range:

$185,000 - $215,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience, education, certifications, skills, and overall qualifications.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development