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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior AI Engineer - **Company:** Thales Defense & Security, Inc. - **Location:** Clarksburg, MD, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $111,477.0 - $142,442.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Airflow, Amazon Web Services, Computer Vision, JIRA, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Computing, Computer Clusters, Program Optimization, Continuous Integration, Information Engineering, Data Infrastructure, Data Security, DevOps, Python (Programming Language), Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Tensorflow, Azure Machine Learning, Software Engineering, Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), High Performance Computing, Pytorch, Large Language Models, Deep Learning, Generative AI, Git, Kubernetes, Information Technology, ONNX (Open Neural Network Exchange) Format, HuggingFace, Slurm, Machine Learning Operations, TensorRT, Software Version Control, Docker - **Published:** September 8, 2026 - **Apply:** https://diversityjobs.com/main/sendform/8/8/28176/1/18223501?backUrl=%2Fcareer%2F18223501%2FSenior-Ai-Engineer-Maryland-Clarksburg ## About the Role The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonableaccommodationsmay be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * U.S. Citizenship required. -Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. * Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, AI, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field (or equivalent professional experience). Advanced degree a plus. * Experience: Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in software engineering, DevOps, platform engineering, data engineering, or infrastructure, including at least 4 years hands-on AI/ML engineering and MLOps (designing, deploying, monitoring, and operating production AI/ML systems). Strong transferable experience from software, DevOps, SRE, or data platform roles is highly valued given the relative newness of pure AI careers. * Strong Python skills and experience with major ML frameworks (PyTorch/TensorFlow, scikitlearn, Hugging Face). * Handson experience building and maintaining MLOps pipelines (MLflow, DVC, Kubeflow, Airflow, Azure ML, SageMaker). * Proficiency deploying AI models using Docker, Kubernetes, and Helm, including GPU workloads. * Knowledge of AI security, adversarial ML, explainability, and responsible AI principles. * Experience working with secure data handling and controlled environments. * Proficiency with Git, CI/CD, IaC, and collaborative development practices. * Experience with ticketing/ITSM tools (e.g., Jira Service Management). * Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and organizational skills. * Ability to lead, mentor, and work independently across crossfunctional teams. * Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical and nontechnical audiences. Preferred but not required * Advanced degree in CS, AI, ML, or related fields. * Experience with generative AI, LLMs, RAG, vector databases, and LLMOps. * Experience with onprem GPU clusters, HPC environments, or schedulers (Slurm, Run:ai). * Model optimization and edge deployment experience (quantization, pruning, TensorRT, ONNX). * Experience in defense or other highly regulated environments with DoD/NIST/CMMC frameworks. The annualized pay range for this role is $111,476.70 to $142,442.45 USD along with a target incentive compensation plan (ICP) of 5% The pay range provided is a good faith estimate representative of the experience level for the role described above. TDSI considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. ## Description We are seeking a Senior AI Engineer located in our Clarksburg, MD Campus. The Senior AI Engineer will report to the IT DevOps Manager., * Lead the architecture, development, training, and deployment of AI/ML models, including traditional ML, deep learning, computer vision, NLP, and generative AI. * Design and manage endtoend MLOps pipelines for data prep, training, model versioning, deployment, monitoring, and continuous retraining. * Define and enforce MLOps standards, governance, and responsible AI best practices across the enterprise. * Integrate AI solutions into onprem, cloud (Azure/AWS), and hybrid environments with strong focus on security and scalability. * Implement secure and responsible AI controls such as model hardening, privacy protections, explainability, and bias/fairness testing aligned with DoD/NIST frameworks. * Optimize model and inference performance for GPUs, onprem clusters, and edge environments. * Collaborate with security, cloud, DevOps, and application teams to productionize AI systems and resolve complex technical issues. * Ensure compliant handling of sensitive/classified data according to CMMC, NIST, DoD, and FedRAMP requirements. * Build Python tooling, reusable components, and CI/CD integrations to support automation and platform maturity. * Lead proofsofconcept, maintain documentation, guide monitoring and incident response, and mentor engineering teams. ## Related Videos - [Running Secure Life Science Research at Scale using Hybrid GPU HPC and Kubernetes 🧬](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100355-running-secure-life-science-research-at-scale-using-hybrid-gpu-hpc-and-kubernetes) - [Improving quality with Agentic AI with Rovo Dev and Xray](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2005-improving-quality-with-agentic-ai-with-rovo-dev-and-xray) - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Shipping Faster with Less: Render on Cloud Hosting, AI Workloads, and the Future of DevOps](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1894-shipping-faster-with-less-render-on-cloud-hosting-ai-workloads-and-the-future-of-devops) - [Collaboration Quantified: Lessons from Open Source Developer Networks](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1422-collaboration-quantified-lessons-from-open-source-developer-networks) - [Agentic employees in world's most downloaded FinTech app](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100123-agentic-employees-in-world-s-most-downloaded-fintech-app) ## Related Articles - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [What Industries Outside of AI Are Hiring The Most AI Experts?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/98-what-industries-outside-of-ai-are-hiring-the-most-ai-experts) - [Best Paying Jobs in Technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/256-best-paying-jobs-in-technology) - [Top-Paying Tech Jobs (with Salaries)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/372-top-paying-tech-jobs-with-salaries) - [Are Software Engineer Wages Being Pushed Down? 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