Senior Principal AI/ML Engineer

SRC

Fairborn (OH)

On-site

USD 176,000 - 220,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Tuition assistance

Retirement contribution

Paid time off

Job summary

SRC, Inc. in Dayton, OH seeks a Senior Principal AI/ML Engineer to steward the vision, direction, and execution of SRC's AI/ML R&D portfolio.

The role anchors technology innovation with customer missions and strategic program capture, guiding researchers and engineers toward defensible, transition-ready results. The successful candidate will lead cross-functional teams, shape strategic roadmaps, and engage with program managers, capture teams, and executives while maintaining TS/SCI clearance

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
15+ years of experience in R&D leadership or strategic program capture.
Active TS/SCI clearance required.
Experience managing AI/ML portfolios or technology roadmapping.
Proven track record in AI/ML, analytics, modeling & simulation, or prototyping.
Experience mentoring technical teams and developing scientists into high-impact contributors.

Responsibilities

Curate, manage, and maintain a forward-looking AI/ML portfolio aligned with customer missions and SRC strengths.
Synthesize AI/ML efforts into cohesive roadmaps and strategic directions.
Conduct customer-driven gap analyses to identify technology shortfalls.
Align AI/ML execution with SRC's overarching strategy in collaboration with program teams.
Mentor scientists to ensure rigorous experimentation and defensible results.
Lead full-stack scientific development from concept to transition to programs.
Support business development through technology storytelling and B&P contributions.
Engage stakeholders across technical and executive levels with strong presence.
Lead or contribute to advanced AI/ML, MS&A, and prototyping activities as needed.
Translate AI/ML results into viable, fieldable products with engineering and capture teams.

Skills

AI/ML portfolio management

R&D leadership

Technology roadmapping

Strategic program capture

Mentoring science teams

DoD domain familiarity

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/CS/physics/math

Job description

SRC, Inc.is currently seeking a Senior Principal AI/ML Engineer to steward the vision, direction, and execution of SRC's external and internal research and development portfolio. This role sits at the nexus of technology innovation, customer mission understanding, and strategic program capture. The selected candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping SRC's future technology posture by curating a connected portfolio of external and internal efforts aligned with customer needs, market opportunities, and SRC's proven technical heritage. This is a mission focused, hands‑on leadership position that integrates operational and R&D strategy, scientific mentorship, and business development alignment. The successful candidate will work directly with program managers, engineers, scientists, and capture teams to ensure that our AI/ML work produces meaningful, defensible results that transition effectively into programs supporting ISR, EW, advanced sensing, decision science, and emerging mission domains.

What You'll Do

Curate, manage, and maintain a forward‑looking AI/ML portfolio informed by customer missions, SRC strengths, and anticipated demand signals
Review and synthesize existing AI/ML efforts into cohesive technology roadmaps and strategic direction statements
Conduct customer driven gap analyses across major programs to identify unanswered questions and key technology shortfalls
Collaborate with program development and capture teams to align AI/ML execution with SRC's overarching strategy
Mentor scientific teams to ensure technical rigor, high quality experimentation, defensible data, and clear transition ready outcomes
Guide "fullstack" scientific development - concept creation, proposal shaping, execution, analysis, and customer facing transition
Support business development through persuasive technology storytelling and B&P product contributions
Engage stakeholders across technical, management, and executive levels with strong executive presence
Lead or contribute to advanced AI/ML, MS&A, and prototyping activities when hands‑on execution is required
Partner with engineering, operations, and capture to translate AI/ML results into viable, fieldable products and solutions

What You'll Bring

Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or a related technical discipline
15+ years of experience in R&D leadership, advanced technology development, scientific portfolio management, or strategic program capture
An active TS/SCI clearance is required
Demonstrated experience managing AI/ML portfolios, technology road mapping, or scientific/technical strategy
Proven track record in AI/ML, advanced analytics, modeling & simulation, or emerging technology prototyping
Experience mentoring technical teams and developing scientists into high impact contributors
Ability to work at the interface of engineering, science, strategy, and business development
Familiarity with DoD mission domains, customer communities, and technology transition pathways
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with comfort engaging senior stakeholders
Ability to coordinate diverse contributors and maintain focus during rapid or evolving technology efforts

Ways to Stand Out

Master's Degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline

What Sets Us Apart?

SRC, Inc., a not-for-profit research and development company, combines information, science, technology and ingenuity to solve "impossible" problems in the areas of defense, environment and intelligence. Across our family of companies, we apply bright minds, fresh thinking and relentless determination to deliver innovative products and services that areredefining possible. When you join our team, you'll be a part of something truly meaningful - helping to keep America and its allies safe and strong. You'll collaborate with more than 1,400 engineers, scientists and professionals - with 20 percent of those employees having served in the military - in a highly innovative, inclusive and equitable work environment. You'll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package that includes four or more weeks of paid time off to start, 10 percent employer contribution toward retirement, and 100 percent tuition support.

Total compensation for this role is market competitive. The anticipated salary range for this position based out of Dayton, OH is estimated at $176,000 to $220,000 annually. The actual salary will vary based on applicant's experience, skills, and abilities, geographic location as well as other business and organizational needs. SRC offers competitive benefit options, for more details please visit our website.

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Non-Discrimination Statement

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or age, or status as a protected veteran or disability except as strictly required by applicable law. You are being given the opportunity to provide the following information in order to help us comply with federal and state record keeping, reporting, and other legal requirements, including requirements under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. 793, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), 38 U.S.C. 4212.

Learn more about SRC:

About Us

Employee Benefits

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Security Clearance