Senior Algorithm/AI Engineer

Twenty-Six Defense; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 schedule

401(k) program

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision

Life Insurance

Flexible Vacation & PTO

Parental Leave

Employee Referral Program

Voluntary Benefits like Long-Term Care

Tricare Supplement for retirees

Job summary

Twenty-Six Defense is seeking a Senior Algorithm/AI Engineer to design, develop, and optimize advanced AI models for defense and related sectors. You will drive technical innovation, mentor engineers, and align solutions with business and ethical standards.

You will lead end-to-end ML/AI development, evaluate new techniques, and collaborate with data engineering, product, and stakeholders to deploy robust, compliant AI systems. Prior experience in production-grade AI is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field (PhD preferred)
• 4+ years of professional experience in algorithm development, machine learning, or AI engineering
• Proven track record of delivering successful AI/ML solutions in a production environment
• Experience in the technology, information, or media sectors is highly desirable

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design, implementation, and optimization of machine learning, deep learning, and traditional algorithms.
• Stay abreast of AI/ML advancements; evaluate and integrate emerging techniques.
• Mentor junior engineers; provide technical guidance across teams; participate in code reviews.
• Collaborate with data engineering, product, and business stakeholders to translate requirements into scalable AI solutions.
• Oversee data preparation, feature engineering, and data quality processes.

Skills

Python

ML/AI algorithms

Cross-functional collaboration

Model development

Explainability and bias mitigation

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/Math

Master's degree preferred

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

Company Information

Twenty-Six Defense, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leading provider of high-performance products, system solutions, and aftermarket support services focusing on the defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation markets. With facilities throughout the U.S., Twenty-Six Defense supports those who contribute to the national security of the United States. Twenty-Six Defense is wholly owned by Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT), a global high-technology company engaged in a wide range of programs for innovative defense and commercial applications.

Summary of Responsibilities

The Senior Algorithm/AI Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing advanced algorithms and AI models to solve complex business challenges. This role drives technical innovation, provides expert guidance to project teams, and ensures alignment with business objectives and ethical standards.

• Lead the end-to-end design, implementation, and optimization of machine learning, deep learning, and traditional algorithms for business-critical applications.
• Stay abreast of AI/ML advancements; evaluate and integrate emerging techniques to maintain competitive advantage.
• Mentor junior engineers; provide technical guidance and best practices across teams; participate in code reviews and knowledge sharing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (data engineering, product, business stakeholders) to translate requirements into scalable AI solutions.
• Oversee data preparation, feature engineering, and data quality processes to support robust model performance.
• Establish and execute rigorous testing, validation, and monitoring protocols to ensure model accuracy, fairness, and compliance.
• Maintain clear, comprehensive technical documentation and ensure adherence to regulatory and ethical standards (e.g., explainability, bias mitigation).
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, automate processes, and enhance system performance

Knowledge (Education/License/Certification, Prior Experience)

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field (PhD preferred)
• 4+ years of professional experience in algorithm development, machine learning, or AI engineering
• Proven track record of delivering successful AI/ML solutions in a production environment
• Experience in the technology, information, or media sectors is highly desirable

Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking and analytical mindset
• Effective communication of complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences
• Project management and organizational skills
• Collaboration and influencing skills across diverse teams
• Advanced programming (Python, R, Java, or C++), with proficiency in ML/AI libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn)
• Experience with data pipelines, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), and MLOps practices
• Strong background in statistics, mathematics, and algorithmic problem-solving

Here Are Some of the Great Benefits We Offer:

• Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off
• Competitive compensation & 401(k) program to plan for your future
• Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts
• Basic Life Insurance and Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available
• Flexible Vacation & PTO
• Paid Parental Leave
• Generous Employee Referral Program
• Voluntary Benefits Available: Long-Term Care, Legal, Identity Theft, Pet Insurance, and more
• Voluntary Tricare Supplement available for military retirees

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Twenty-Six Defense is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

*For Virginia-based positions only* In accordance with Virginia DOL requirements, the listed salary range reflects the anticipated base pay range for this role. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including skills, experience, education, certifications, business needs, internal equity, and geographic location. Compensation may vary in different locations based on market conditions and cost-of-labor considerations.