Senior‑Level AI Engineer (Python)

IDS International; Maryland; On-site; USD 155,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in Maryland is seeking a Senior‑Level AI Engineer with expertise in Python and AI/ML integration. The engineer will develop AI-driven solutions and maintain LLM orchestration frameworks. Qualified applicants need advanced education in Computer Science and relevant experience with LLMs and Agile methodologies. The role offers a competitive salary range of $155,000 to $175,000, along with benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience, or Master’s with 6 years, or Doctoral with 4 years.
• Experience across the software development lifecycle.
• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate to design, develop, and maintain LLM orchestration frameworks.
• Integrate static analyzers, RAG systems, and automated testing pipelines.
• Clean, transform, and vectorize documentation for LLM consumption.

Skills

Proficiency in Python and AI/ML integration

Experience with LLMs

Familiarity with Agile methodologies

Experience with static analyzers

Knowledge of RAG frameworks

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field

Tools

Git

Jira

Confluence

Job description

Job Title

Senior‑Level AI Engineer (Python)

Why IDS?

IDS believes in resolving conflict, building innovative approaches to do so. Combining operational expertise with an intimate understanding of today’s greatest challenges, we bring our customers the solutions required for success in a complex and multidimensional world. IDS tailors' solutions for a diverse range of government, military, nonprofit, and public‑sector clients.

Locations

Annapolis Junction, MD

Shifts Available

Please note, candidates must be flexible. Shift times are general hours; some projects may require earlier or later reporting based on customer requirements.

Job Description

IDS is seeking a Senior‑Level AI Engineer to support the AI and Emerging Technologies mission. The engineer will work closely with mission stakeholders to capture requirements, support structured planning, improve certification processes using AI/ML tooling, and develop AI‑enabled capabilities including fine‑tuning Large Language Models to enhance vulnerability identification and mitigation.

Key Duties

• Collaborate with technical leadership to design, develop, and maintain LLM orchestration frameworks
• Integrate static analyzers, retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG) systems, and automated testing pipelines
• Clean, transform, and vectorize documentation, source code, and test artifacts for LLM consumption
• Design and implement database solutions to support RAG architectures, artifact storage, and audit trails
• Work with systems engineers to architect and deploy networked AI tools within secure enclaves
• Perform performance profiling, optimization, and scalability analysis of mission systems
• Support security assessments and Authority to Operate (ATO) processes

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with eight (8) years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with six (6) years, or Doctoral degree with four (4) years
• Associate’s degree with ten (10) years of clearly related experience may be considered
• Degree in Computer Science or a related field with substantial coursework in algorithms, data structures, programming languages, computer architecture, logic, and advanced mathematics
• Proficiency in Python and AI/ML integration
• Experience with LLMs, static analyzers, RAG frameworks, and relational and vector databases
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and tools such as Git, Jira, and Confluence
• Relevant experience across the software development lifecycle
• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph

Compensation

• Salary range: $155,000 – $175,000
• Benefits

Employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move moderate amounts of weight, typically less than 20 pounds, but may vary depending on the position. Regular and predictable attendance is essential.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local law.

If you are unable to apply through the portal and need to speak to someone about necessary accommodations to apply, please email [e-mail] and we will follow up with you. Do not submit resumes and applications through this email.