AI/ML Engineer job in Herndon

Peraton Labs is seeking an AI/ML Engineer to support the development of AI-enabled products and technical capabilities for the FAA BNATCS Program. This role is focused on building practical, mission-relevant software systems that apply AI/ML techniques in usable, operationally meaningful ways.

This position provides an opportunity to help build the next generation of AI-enabled mission capabilities in a hands-on engineering role where execution matters. You will work alongside technical teams developing real products and operationally relevant capabilities, with the chance to contribute meaningfully across software, AI integration, system design, and mission delivery., * Design, build, test, and maintain AI/ML enabled applications and software components supporting our objectives

• Develop production-oriented software in Python and other languages as needed by the mission and technical environment
• Integrate LLMs, AI APIs, and model-driven services into practical tools, workflows, and user-facing capabilities
• Contribute to backend services, orchestration logic, data processing pipelines, and user-facing application features as needed
• Collaborate with internal Labs teams to transition concepts and prototypes into reliable technical solutions
• Support the implementation of Agentic AI workflows, intelligent orchestration patterns, and AI enabled mission applications
• Write clean, maintainable, extensible code and contribute to sound engineering practices across the development lifecycle
• Participate in technical tradeoff discussions related to tools, frameworks, architecture, and implementation approach
• Help troubleshoot, improve, and refine system performance, usability, and technical integration points
• Work effectively in a fast-moving environment where requirements may evolve and strong engineering judgment is essential

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, Master’s with 3+ years, or a PhD with demonstrable applied software and AI/ML engineering experience
• Strong software development experience with expertise in Python
• Experience with one or more additional programming languages such as C, C++, Javascript, Go, and/or Java
• Demonstrated experience building and delivering technical software solutions in professional, research, or mission-oriented environments
• Experience integrating LLMs at the API level into applications, tools, or workflows
• Familiarity with modern AI/ML development patterns, including model integration, orchestration, prompting workflows, or agent-based system concepts
• Familiarity with agentic AI concepts, autonomous workflows, or intelligent orchestration patterns
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills and ability to work in an evolving technical environment
• US Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Public Trust suitability
• Must be local to and willing to commute to our Herndon, VA location, * Experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
• Familiarity with Anthropic Model Context Protocol (MCP) or similar tool-integration frameworks
• Experience with backend development, APIs, microservices, or distributed application design
• Experience with infrastructure and orchestration tooling such as Docker, Kuberentes, Terraform, or comparable technologies
• Experience building internal tools, mission applications, or user-facing technical products
• Familiarity with data processing pipeline, feature preparation, or workflow automation in AI enabled systems
• Understanding of networking fundamentals and the OSI stack
• Experience in rapid prototyping environments with an ability to mature prototypes into durable capabilities
• Exposure to aviation, government, or other mission driven technical environments

$104,000 - $166,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.