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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # AI/ML Engineer (sign-on bonus eligible) - **Company:** Vantor Inc. - **Location:** McLean, VA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $165,000.0 - $220,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Query Performance, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Application Performance Management, Data Transformation, Data Retrieval, Memory Management, Python (Programming Language), PostgreSQL, Machine Learning, Performance Tuning, Search Technologies, Software Engineering, Systems Integration, Unstructured Data, Data Processing, Enterprise Software Applications, Cloud Platform System, Retrieval-Augmented Generation, Flask (Web Framework), Large Language Models, Backend, Fastapi, Information Technology, Data Management, Machine Learning Operations, Front End Software Development, Restful APIs, Docker - **Published:** August 26, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9117658/aiml-engineer-sign-on-bonus-eligible ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in computer science or related area of study. * Senior Labor Category: Minimum 8 years of experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 7 years of experience with a Master's degree; or 6 years of experience with a Doctorate. * Active/current TS/SCI with required polygraph. * Willingness to work onsite full time. * US citizenship required. * Proficiency in Python and common data/AI libraries. * Experience developing AI/ML applications, including LLM-integrated applications, RAG workflows, or similar retrieval-based capabilities. * Experience with agent-based programming concepts, AI frameworks, and tool-based LLM application development. * Strong understanding of AI/ML foundational concepts, including transformers, algorithms, LLM behavior, data processing, and model integration patterns. * Experience designing, developing, or integrating REST APIs to retrieve, process, or exchange data across systems. * Familiarity with production-ready application development practices, including reliability, maintainability, testing, and deployment considerations., * Experience with MCP or similar protocols for connecting AI agents to tools, data sources, and enterprise systems. * Experience developing full-stack agent-based applications, including frontend interfaces, backend services, orchestration layers, and enterprise deployment patterns. * Experience with Python REST API frameworks such as FastAPI or Flask. * Experience implementing or optimizing LLM memory management approaches, including conversational memory, session state, context management, and retrieval-based memory. * Experience with agent-based application optimization techniques, including prompt/tool orchestration, latency reduction, context window management, evaluation, observability, and cost/performance tuning. * Experience working with vector databases, embedding models, semantic search, and retrieval configuration. * Experience with Docker containers and containerized development environments. * Experience with AWS or other cloud environments. * Experience with Postgres, data transformation, structured/unstructured data processing, and schema refinement. Pay Transparency: To support pay transparency, Vantor includes salary ranges in all U.S. job postings. Starting pay for this role will fall within the listed range and will be based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role should not expect to receive compensation at the top of the range. The listed range reflects the expected pay for this position, and final offers will be determined based on each candidate's experience, expertise, and alignment with the role. ## Description * Develop, implement, and maintain AI/ML-enabled applications with a focus on agent-based workflows, LLM integration, and retrieval-augmented generation capabilities. * Design and support agent-based application architectures, including orchestration logic, tool use, memory management, and integration with external systems. * Implement and maintain RAG pipelines, including document processing, embedding generation, retrieval configuration, prompt assembly, and response optimization. * Integrate LLMs into applications using available APIs, AI frameworks, and emerging protocols such as MCP. * Develop and maintain REST APIs, particularly Python-based services, to support data retrieval, system integration, agent workflows, and application functionality. * Support full-stack development of production-ready AI applications, including backend services, user-facing components, and enterprise deployment considerations. * Process, transform, and organize structured and unstructured data to support AI/ML workflows, model interaction, and application performance. * Design or refine Postgres schemas and data models to improve data organization, query performance, and application scalability. * Optimize AI-enabled applications for performance, reliability, usability, and maintainability in enterprise environments. ## Related Videos - [Agentic employees in world's most downloaded FinTech app](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100123-agentic-employees-in-world-s-most-downloaded-fintech-app) - [Developing the Backend with Stefan Lingler, CTO at Shpock](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100360-developing-the-backend-with-stefan-lingler-cto-at-shpock) - [Intro to FastAPI](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/462-intro-to-fastapi) - [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered) - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1209-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou) - [Nest.js - TypeScript in the backend can also be clean](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1033-nest-js-typescript-in-the-backend-can-also-be-clean) ## Related Articles - [What Are Large Language Models?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/304-what-are-large-language-models) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies in Europe](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/162-highest-paying-tech-companies-in-europe) - [MLOps And AI Driven Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/82-mlops-and-ai-driven-development) - [The Fastest-Growing Tech Sectors to Look Out for in 2025](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/373-the-fastest-growing-tech-sectors-to-look-out-for-in-2025)