Senior AI Engineer

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.

Department Summary:

MITRE’s Data Science and Engineering department is looking for qualified applicants to bring their advanced data science, data engineering, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and applied research skills to bear on solving problems of critical national importance. MITRE’s diverse work program provides opportunities to apply your expertise and creative thinking in challenging domains such as national security, intelligence, transportation, and healthcare. Employees may also participate in MITRE’s internal research and development program, which provides funding for innovative applied research that addresses our sponsors’ hardest problems.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The successful candidate for this position is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) engineer who combines a solid theoretical and technical background with the ability to identify and formulate problems, develop and evaluate solutions, and effectively communicate results. Our organization values innovation and believes that keeping up with the latest research and technologies is essential.

The candidate should have hands-on experience in several of the areas specified below, however it is not required that a candidate has experience in all of these areas.

Advanced Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence

• Machine Learning (e.g., Supervised, Unsupervised, Deep Learning, Reinforcement) and Model Evaluation
• Large Language Models and Techniques (e.g., Prompt Engineering, Few-Shot Learning, Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), LLM Fine-Tuning, LLM Hosting)
• Agentic AI Frameworks and Approaches
• DevOps for AI
• Computer Vision (e.g., Object Detection, Image Classification, Diffusion Models)
• Natural Language Processing (e.g., Encoders, Summarization, Classification, Entity Recognition, Topic Modeling)
• Rapid Prototype Development
• Computer Programming – Required: Python; Preferred: C/C++, Java, Scala, Julia, Rust
• Databases – SQL, NoSQL, Vector, Graph

Data Engineering

• Distributed Data Processing and Big Data Architectures (e.g., Spark, Hadoop, Ray, Dask, Kafka)
• Data Pipeline/ETL Development and Orchestration (e.g., Airflow, Dagster, NiFi)
• Batch and Streaming Data Processing
• Data Modeling, Schema Design, and Data Quality Assessment
• Data Governance, Access Controls, and Secure Data Handling
• Cloud-based Data Platforms and Storage Architectures

Software Development and MLOps

• Computer Programming and Databases – Proficiency in Python and SQL required
• Software Engineering Best Practices (e.g., version control, testing, modular design)
• MLOps and Model Operationalization (e.g., model deployment, monitoring, reproducibility, containerization)
• Linux-based Development Environments, Git, Containers, and Cloud Platforms

Expectations for this position are as follows:

• Rapidly prototypes and evaluates Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning approaches to assess feasibility and support project needs.
• Leads simple projects or has accountability for tasks on a complex project; plans and guides the work of others.
• When in a contributor role, works independently and requires minimal instruction, guidance, and direction.
• Identifies and solves complex problems; takes new perspectives on existing solutions; exercises judgment within the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence disciplines.
• Leverages advanced knowledge of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and shares that knowledge with others.
• Communicates complex results, both in writing and verbally, to technical and non-technical audiences.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with relevant experience who can immediately contribute at this job step; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Hands-on proficiency with Artificial Intelligence and Data Science techniques, including Large Language Models, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, or other Machine Learning techniques (e.g., supervised, unsupervised, deep learning, reinforcement learning).
• Computer programming skills (e.g., Python, C/C++, Java, Scala, Julia, Rust).
• Must have an active Top Secret/SCI with polygraph U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 3 days per week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or related field with 3 years of relevant experience; PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or related field.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

Top Secret/SCI/Polygraph

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Top Secret/SCI/Polygraph

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$143,600 - $179,500 - $215,400 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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