Distinguished AI/ML Engineer

responsible AI principles into scalable, mission-ready capabilities. Responsibilities * Architect and integrate hybrid AI systems that combine traditional machine learning, deep learning, large language models (LLMs), and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines. * Design and deploy scalable AI architectures including APIs, microservices, and model-serving frameworks that integrate seamlessly with analytic, simulation, or operational systems. * Lead the full AI/ML lifecycle - from data ingestion and feature engineering through training, deployment, and sustainment within secure DoD environments (IL5/IL6, ATO, GovCloud). * Engineer event-driven data pipelines and feature stores for both structured and unstructured data, including text, imagery, and simulation outputs. * Ensure Responsible AI practices by embedding traceability, explainability, and confidence scoring into deployed systems. * Implement and maintain MLOps pipelines (MLflow, Kubeflow, Airflow, Docker/Kubernetes) to support continuous integration, retraining, and drift detection. * Transition R&D prototypes into production, optimizing for mission constraints such as limited compute, edge environments, or disconnected operations. * Provide technical leadership and mentorship, setting standards for model quality, architectural design, and ethical AI deployment across programs. * Collaborate across engineering, data, and modeling teams to unify FTI's AI portfolio, ensuring interoperability and reuse across mission systems. * Support proposal and solution development, providing technical inputs for AI/ML architectures, data strategies, and Responsible AI assurance frameworks. Education/Qualifications **Preferring candidates close to Dayton OH, Chesapeake VA, Huntsville AL, or Colorado Springs CO. Or willing to travel to these locations and customer sites, as needed. * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (Master's or Ph.D. preferred). * 10+ years of overall experience in AI/ML development, with 5+ years designing and deploying scalable AI/ML architectures, including at least two full lifecycle implementations (from prototype to operational system). * Proficiency in Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, and modern ML frameworks. * Experience designing or deploying systems using vector databases (Milvus, Pinecone, Weaviate), knowledge graphs, and semantic search frameworks. * Proven ability to design event-driven data pipelines using Databricks, Spark, Flink, or Kafka. * Demonstrated experience deploying AI/ML systems in secure, classified, or edge environments. * Familiarity with Responsible AI and assurance principles, including bias detection, explainability, human-machine teaming, and hallucination prevention. * Experience integrating AI models into simulation, modeling, or operational planning systems is highly desirable. * Experience transitioning R&D systems into accredited production environments. * Active Secret clearance required; TS/SCI strongly preferred. * Strong communication and mentoring skills, with the ability to lead technically while remaining deeply hands-on. #LI-GH1 #LI-Remote