AI Software Engineer

Work on applied AI software engineering that turns AI models and prototypes into secure, scalable, maintainable production systems for ML-backed applications.

• CI/CD and ML Ops: Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines for ML applications
• Infrastructure automation: Automate infrastructure provisioning and configuration with modern DevOps tools
• Containers and orchestration: Implement containerization and orchestration for ML workloads
• Reliability, security, compliance: Support reliable, secure, and compliant ML Ops environments
• Deployment and monitoring: Collaborate across teams to optimize deployment and monitoring processes
• AI application engineering: Design, develop, deploy, and maintain AI-enabled applications and backend services
• LLM and API integration: Build REST APIs and integrate LLMs, AI models, and enterprise data systems

What you’ll build

• Operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software (as applicable)
• Operational specifications and software requirements analysis
• Embedded systems software (may be applicable)
• Production applications that apply AI expertise to move models from prototype to secure execution
• Scalable and efficient operations across the ML lifecycle with data scientists and ML engineers

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and 5 years of relevant exempt experience
• Master’s Degree and 3 years of relevant professional experience
• Ph.D. and 0 years of experience
• Educational equivalencies may be used for IT-related positions, including: NNS Apprentice School graduate
• Educational equivalencies may be used for IT-related positions, including: Navy Nuclear Power School (NNPS) graduate
• Educational equivalencies may be used for IT-related positions, including: Associate’s Degree or other formal 2 year program plus 2 years relevant exempt experience, or 4 years relevant non-exempt experience
• Educational equivalencies may be used for IT-related positions, including: Military paygrade E-5 or above
• Educational equivalencies may be used for IT-related positions, including: High School/GED plus 4 years combined Manufacturing, Shipbuilding, Trades, Military experience or other relevant exempt experience
• Educational equivalencies may be used for IT-related positions, including: High School/GED plus 8 years combined Manufacturing, Shipbuilding, Trades, Military experience or other relevant non-exempt experience
• A relevant professional certification can substitute for a Bachelor’s Degree
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• Python programming and REST API development skills
• Experience with software architecture, cloud development, Git, and automated testing
• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and practical integration of LLMs or AI services
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and collaboration skills

Technologies

• Python, REST APIs, FastAPI, Flask
• Git, MLflow, Kubeflow, Airflow
• Spark, Hadoop, Bash
• Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps
• Docker, Kubernetes
• AWS, Azure, GCP
• Terraform, Ansible
• Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack

Nice to have

• Experience supporting ML Ops workflows and machine learning deployments
• Familiarity with ML Ops tools: MLflow, Kubeflow, Airflow
• Knowledge of security best practices for ML and cloud environments
• Experience with large-scale data processing systems: Spark, Hadoop
• Strong scripting skills (Python, Bash)
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment
• Strong proficiency with CI/CD tools: Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps
• Hands-on experience with containerization and orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes
• Familiarity with cloud platforms: AWS, Azure, GCP
• Knowledge of infrastructure-as-code tools: Terraform, Ansible
• Experience with monitoring and logging tools: Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack
• Solid understanding of version control systems (Git)
• Highly preferred technical skills: API development (REST APIs, FastAPI, Flask or similar frameworks)
• Highly preferred technical skills: software architecture (scalable, modular, maintainable application design)
• Highly preferred technical skills: applied AI (LLM integration, generative AI APIs, and RAG implementations)
• Highly preferred technical skills: DevOps (Git, CI/CD, automated testing, containerization)
• Highly preferred technical skills: cloud development (Azure, AWS, or comparable platforms)

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision plan choices
• On-site health centers
• Tele-medicine
• Wellness resources
• Employee assistance programs
• Savings plan options (401K)
• Financial education and planning tools
• Life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee discounts
• Early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships

Role details

• Req ID: 50608
• Team: T56 AI and Digital Innovation
• Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding
• Location: Newport News, VA (onsite)
• Full-time
• Shift: 1st
• US citizenship required: Yes
• Relocation: No relocation assistance available
• Virtual/Telework opportunity: No (not eligible for telework)
• Travel requirements: No
• Clearance required: No (clearance not required to start)
• Salary range: USD 104,000 to 131,000 per year