Software Engineer – AI Integration | DoD Security Clearance

Phoenix Operations Group; Columbia, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Short-term and long-term disability

401(k) with company contribution

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Birthday leave

Referral bonuses

Open-source bonuses

Professional development

Job summary

Phoenix Operations Group in Columbia, Maryland is seeking a Software Engineer to build secure AI integrations and agent capabilities for enterprise data platforms. This hybrid role requires 1–2 days onsite per week.

You will develop Python backend services, deploy Kubernetes workloads, and connect AI agents with APIs and databases while implementing privacy safeguards and testing automation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus five years of experience; master’s plus three; or high school diploma with nine years of experience.
• Strong Python development and hands-on Kubernetes experience.
• Production experience integrating LLM APIs or open-source models.

Responsibilities

• Develop Python backend services, MCP servers, and reusable AI tools.
• Deploy and scale Kubernetes workloads.
• Connect AI agents with APIs, databases, and microservices.
• Implement privacy safeguards, prompt-injection defenses, and output validation.
• Automate testing, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate across engineering teams.

Skills

Python development

Kubernetes

AI integration

REST APIs

Git

Docker

CI/CD

Linux

Microservices

LLM APIs

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 5 years experience

Master’s degree + 3 years experience

High school diploma + 9 years experience

Tools

Kubernetes

Git

Docker

CI/CD

REST APIs

Linux

Job description

Description

Phoenix Operations Group seeks a Software Engineer in Columbia, Maryland, to build secure AI integrations and agent capabilities for enterprise data platforms. This hybrid position requires approximately 1–2 days onsite per week. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance are required; an active clearance is not required at the time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Develop Python backend services, MCP servers, and reusable AI tools.
• Deploy and scale Kubernetes workloads.
• Connect AI agents with APIs, databases, and microservices.
• Implement privacy safeguards, prompt-injection defenses, and output validation.
• Automate testing, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate across engineering teams.

Requirements

• Related bachelor’s degree plus five years’ relevant experience; related master’s plus three years; or high school diploma/equivalent plus nine years.
• Strong Python development and hands-on Kubernetes experience.
• Production experience integrating LLM APIs or open-source models.
• Understanding of agents, prompt engineering, tool use, and RAG.
• Experience with REST APIs, microservices, Git, Docker, CI/CD, and Linux.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Java/Spring, AI integration frameworks, vector databases, semantic caching, AI observability, AWS/Azure, NiFi/Kafka, relational/NoSQL databases, or data lakes.

Clearance and Program Requirements

U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain government clearance are required. Active clearance is not required initially; Secret or Top Secret is preferred. Onsite schedules may change. Customer-directed DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level II certification may be required.

Benefits Offered

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance: 100% company-paid premiums.
• Short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance: 100% company paid.
• 401(k): Automatic 10% company contribution; no matching required.
• Paid time off: Four weeks per year.
• Paid holidays: Eleven per year.
• Birthday leave: Your birthday off with pay.
• Referral bonuses: Upfront and annually recurring bonuses.
• Open-source bonuses: Rewards for contributing to our GitHub projects.
• Professional development: Paid training, certifications, and enrichment opportunities.

About Phoenix Operations Group

Phoenix Operations Group delivers advanced engineering services that protect and strengthen our nation’s cyber resources. As a small company, we invest in innovation and employee development to solve challenging customer problems.

Our capabilities span batch and streaming Big Data analytics, cloud infrastructure, multi-INT visualization, and enterprise architecture. We support All-Source, Financial, and CND operational missions and serve as Product Owners for our open-source research initiatives.

Learn more at www.phoenix-opsgroup.com.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Employment decisions at Phoenix Operations Group are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We provide equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.