AI/Machine Learning Engineer SME

Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3) supports mission-critical work with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) through the Enterprise Data Management & Analytics (EDMA) effort. This hybrid role in Washington, DC is designed for an AI/ML SME who can help deliver enterprise-ready architectures, strengthen governance and responsible-AI practices, and serve as a primary technical bridge to government stakeholders. The salary range for this position is USD 200,000 to 350,000 per year.

As an AI/Machine Learning Engineer SME, you will architect and guide end-to-end AI/ML solution delivery, from data ingestion and feature strategy through training pipelines, inference services, and MLOps lifecycle governance. You will also help align engineering execution with IC and DoD directives, focusing on responsible-AI and model lifecycle controls.

Responsibilities

• Architect enterprise-ready AI/ML solutions, including model-training pipelines, inference services, feature stores, data-ingestion pathways, and MLOps frameworks aligned to requirements.
• Define a technical roadmap by decomposing complex mission needs into actionable architectures, workstreams, and implementation plans.
• Lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams, providing direction on algorithms, model selection, data strategy, integration, and delivery cadence.
• Oversee sprint planning and technical execution to keep deliverables on time, remove blockers, and maintain enterprise standards for engineering artifacts.
• Act as the primary technical interface with government stakeholders, explaining architecture decisions, model behaviors, risk tradeoffs, and recommended solution pathways.
• Establish and enforce best practices across ML engineering, DevSecOps, coding standards, test automation, and model life-cycle governance.
• Conduct technical reviews and mentor engineers to elevate capability and maintain alignment with mission outcomes.
• Guide evaluation and adoption of advanced ML tools and patterns, including deep-learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX), distributed compute, MLOps platforms, generative-AI modernization patterns, and enterprise-scale data solutions.
• Lead integration of AI capabilities into cloud-native or hybrid architectures, supporting compliance with security, accreditation, and enterprise data-management requirements.
• Provide SME-level support for strategic planning activities, such as solution briefs, architecture diagrams, CONOPS development, and decision-ready artifacts for government review panels.
• Champion responsible-AI and governance, ensuring approaches align with IC and DoD directives.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 14 years of progressive experience in AI/ML, data engineering, or advanced analytics.
• Demonstrated experience architecting and deploying enterprise AI/ML systems.
• Deep proficiency in Python and modern ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX).
• Experience leading technical teams, performing architecture trade studies, and guiding full ML lifecycle development.
• Strong understanding of secure software engineering, distributed systems, DevSecOps, and containerization.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to interface with senior government stakeholders.

Technologies

• Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX
• MLOps, DevSecOps

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting AI/ML projects in government, defense, or intelligence environments.
• Familiarity with Intelligence Community mission needs and data types.
• Exposure to cloud-native development (AWS, Azure, GovCloud).
• Experience building or supporting NLP, computer-vision, generative-AI, or anomaly-detection models.
• Knowledge of MLOps, CI/CD, container orchestration, or distributed training frameworks.