🚀 AI Mission Engineer

Location: Onsite | Washington, DC – up to 25% Travel

Clearance: Active TS/SCI with CI Polygraph

Employment Type: Full-time, salaried, with full benefits

About the Company:

Our client is a mission‑driven technology company transforming how the U.S. defense and intelligence community leverages artificial intelligence. The company integrates cutting‑edge AI, next‑generation sensors, and advanced data solutions into operational environments—delivering capabilities that matter at the speed of mission.

The team is built from seasoned operators, technologists, and problem‑solvers who thrive in small, fast‑moving groups. They are deeply connected to the mission, move with urgency, and empower their people to take ownership. The problems they tackle are complex and high impact: accelerating decision‑making, enhancing warfighter effectiveness, and shaping the future of defense technology.

About the Role:

The Mid‑Level AI/IC Mission Engineer will serve as the connective tissue between mission users and technical teams. This role focuses on engaging with analysts, operators, and Combatant Command stakeholders to uncover operational needs, translate them into technical requirements, and guide the delivery of AI‑enabled capabilities.

While the Mission Engineer is not primarily responsible for building models or writing production code, strong technical fluency is required to effectively shape features, evaluate trade‑offs, and ensure that solutions are aligned with mission realities. Flyaway billets may involve up to 25% travel for user discovery and deployment support.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct discovery with operators/analysts; map workflows and capture mission needs.
• Draft information papers, presentations, and decision materials for senior IC/DoD stakeholders.
• Translate operational requirements into epics, user stories, and prioritized backlogs.
• Partner with software, data, and AI/ML engineers to guide feature development and integration.
• Support field deployments, user acceptance, feedback cycles, and capability demonstrations.
• Contribute to system evaluations and cross‑agency integration efforts.
• Operate in a small, fast‑moving team; exercise initiative amid ambiguity.

Required Experience

• Active TS/SCI with ability to obtain a CI Polygraph .
• Typically 5+ years of relevant mission, systems, or technical experience (years are guidelines; impact matters).
• Demonstrated ability to bridge mission and technology (e.g., requirements, systems engineering, AO/staff roles).
• Strong technical literacy across AI/ML, data, and software systems to engage engineering teams effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for senior‑level briefs/papers; strong stakeholder management.
• Proven success in ambiguous, high‑tempo environments.

Preferred Experience

• Strong background in machine learning, deep learning, and statistical modeling.
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit‑learn, etc.).
• Proficiency in Python, R, or similar data‑science languages.
• Knowledge of data preprocessing, feature engineering, and model evaluation techniques.
• Understanding of IC mission domains and operational environments.
• Cloud experience (AWS preferred); prior military service or direct DoD/IC support.

Benefits

• Equity participation
• Unlimited paid time off (PTO)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid holidays
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage

Seniority Level

• Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

• Full-time

Job Function

• Engineering, Consulting, and Information Technology

Industries

• Defense and Space Manufacturing and Software Development

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