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# Software Engineer - AI Integration | DoD Security Clearance

- **Company:** THE PHOENIX
- **Location:** Columbia, MD, United States
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Application Integration Architecture, Automation of Tests, Microsoft Azure, Databases, Continuous Integration, Linux, Python (Programming Language), NoSQL, Enterprise Data Management, Retrieval-Augmented Generation, Open-source Models, Large Language Models, Prompt Engineering, Caching, Backend, Agentic-AI, Git, Data Lakes, Kubernetes, Apache Kafka, Apache Nifi, Machine Learning Operations, Restful APIs, Docker, Microservices
- **Published:** November 7, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.thejobnetwork.com/job/cd2021be-7ed6-4879-9527-e7ca4fc11c8a/software-engineer-ai-integration-dod-security-clearance

## About the Role

* Related bachelor's degree plus five years' relevant experience; related master's plus three years; or high school diploma/equivalent plus nine years.
 * Strong Python development and hands-on Kubernetes experience.
 * Production experience integrating LLM APIs or open-source models.
 * Understanding of agents, prompt engineering, tool use, and RAG.
 * Experience with REST APIs, microservices, Git, Docker, CI/CD, and Linux.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Java/Spring, AI integration frameworks, vector databases, semantic caching, AI observability, AWS/Azure, NiFi/Kafka, relational/NoSQL databases, or data lakes.

Clearance and Program Requirements

U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain government clearance are required. Active clearance is not required initially; Secret or Top Secret is preferred. Onsite schedules may change. Customer-directed DoD 8140/8570 IAT Level II certification may be required.

## Description

Phoenix Operations Group seeks a Software Engineer in Columbia, Maryland, to build secure AI integrations and agent capabilities for enterprise data platforms. This hybrid position requires approximately 1-2 days onsite per week. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance are required; an active clearance is not required at the time of hire., * Develop Python backend services, MCP servers, and reusable AI tools.

 * Deploy and scale Kubernetes workloads.
 * Connect AI agents with APIs, databases, and microservices.
 * Implement privacy safeguards, prompt-injection defenses, and output validation.
 * Automate testing, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate across engineering teams.