Machine Learning Engineer

Dezign Concepts LLC builds AI systems that turn large, complex inputs into actionable answers. This onsite role in McLean, VA focuses on developing and adapting Large Language Models (LLMs) and NLP methods using established AI/ML frameworks to strengthen analytic workflows and support intelligence questions across structured and unstructured data.

Responsibilities

• Leverage open source, best-in-class models to create new models and ensemble approaches that can be re-purposed and reused, including classification systems.
• Develop supervised model architectures using CNN, Unet, YOLO, or similar approaches, with fine tuning and transfer learning.
• Create unsupervised capabilities using DBSCAN, K-Nearest, Adaboost, or similar methods.
• Build prediction systems, including predictors such as LSTM and UConv, and regressors such as Bayesian and linear approaches.
• Implement fusion approaches at the sensor level and entity level.
• Support decision-making tasks including task assignments, combinational and parametric optimizations, reinforcement learning, path planning, or similar approaches.
• Develop generative model capabilities including LLMs and stackable LLMs.
• Apply machine learning, AI, deep learning, and NLP methods across areas such as text classification, NLP topic and language modeling, sentiment analysis, and information retrieval.
• Work on recommender systems and personalization, threat detection, computer vision, data mining, and statistics as needed.
• Analyze large raw datasets (including text) to determine training and testing utility.
• Preprocess and clean structured and unstructured sponsor data.
• Design and implement advanced ETL code and table configurations for complex datasets.
• Use SQL to develop and organize relevant information, including query design and data structuring.
• Collaborate within a team environment; author analytic publications and produce ad-hoc reports with data visualizations using sponsor templates.
• Document methods in GitHub and implement the sponsor’s existing coordination process.
• Provide ad-hoc technical education to staff and provide AI/ML subject matter expertise to support sponsor initiatives.

Requirements

• US Citizenship required.
• Active Top Secret SCI with Poly required (existing clearance is required).
• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Expert-level experience required.
• Demonstrated experience tuning neural networks, such as LLMs, on custom datasets and applying results to specific use cases.
• Demonstrated professional or academic experience using Python or R.
• (KEY) Demonstrated professional or academic experience developing models and ensembles, including selecting Python libraries, choosing preprocessing actions, analyzing, and assessing model performance.
• (KEY) Demonstrated experience testing, evaluating, or validating AI system performance, with a focus on LLM-based systems.
• (KEY) Demonstrated experience in experiment design and execution to test LLM performance against a benchmark.
• (KEY) Demonstrated experience with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or Keras.
• (KEY) Demonstrated proficiency with SQL, including common table expressions, set operations, aggregated functions, and nested subqueries.
• (KEY) Demonstrated experience leveraging GPUs for accelerated computing.
• Demonstrated experience with version control systems such as GitHub and Jenkins.

Technologies

• Python, R, SQL
• TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras
• CNN, Unet, YOLO, DBSCAN, K-Nearest, Adaboost
• LSTM, UConv, Bayesian
• Reinforcement Learning, Path Planning
• LLMs, Stackable LLMs
• GitHub, Jenkins
• GPUs, HuggingFace Transformers library, HuggingFace hub, Flask
• SciKit Learn, Tableau, ONNX

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account and more.
• Paid Time Off, Holidays, Social Events, Employee Assistance Program, and Team Building.
• 401K, Tuition Assistance, Annual and Referral Bonuses.

Clearance

• Active Top Secret Clearance with Poly Required.
• Please note: This job requires an existing Top Secret Clearance and Polygraph.

Travel

• Local travel/POV will be on an as needed basis, within the local place of performance.

Highly Desirable (Not Required)

• Demonstrated professional or academic experience with the HuggingFace Transformers library and hub.
• Demonstrated experience with cloud computing development and architecture.
• Demonstrated experience with front-end web development frameworks such as Flask.
• Experience creating machine learning models that conduct text classification and topic modeling in Python using standard machine learning (SciKit Learn) or deep learning models.
• Experience developing applications for semantic search.
• Proficiency with Tableau to produce visualizations and dashboards.
• Experience communicating methodological choices and model results.
• Experience with verification and validation test benches.
• Experience with Explainable AI (XAI) techniques.
• Experience with ONNX (Open Neural Net Exchange).

Salary

USD 190,000 per year; salary is commensurate with education and experience (range: up to $190K).