Senior Software Developer

SOUTHEASTERN COMP CONSULTANTS INC (SCCI) is building a newly established R&D department focused on next-generation autonomous systems and immersive training solutions for defense and government customers. In this onsite role in King George, VA, you will help bring applied AI/ML capabilities from prototype concepts to transition-ready demonstrations, with work grounded in defense operational needs.

As a Senior Software Developer (5+ years of experience), you will contribute to an R&D mission that emphasizes applied machine learning, including computer vision, edge-based inference, and autonomous swarm control, supporting customers in and around Dahlgren, VA.

What you’ll do

• Identify emerging DoD capability gaps and operational needs early by developing AI/ML prototype concept ideas ahead of formal government solicitations, supporting positioning for OTA responses, SBIR/STTR opportunities, and DoD challenge competitions
• Drive the R&D technical vision for AI/ML capabilities, with an active focus on computer vision, edge-based inference, and autonomous swarm control, while scanning the threat and technology landscape for the next competitive frontier
• Translate operational military requirements into AI/ML prototype solutions that are demonstrable, defensible, and transition-ready for program of record or follow-on acquisition
• Work with a Program Manager to document technical objectives, effort estimates, and milestone schedules for AI/ML R&D efforts, and track execution against plan
• Design, develop, and iterate AI/ML prototypes with emphasis on computer vision applications for edge-deployed systems
• Develop and optimize AI/ML models for resource-constrained edge hardware, balancing inference performance, power envelope, and operational reliability
• Integrate AI/ML into simulation and training environments to enable adaptive, hyper-realistic training scenarios that respond dynamically to trainee behavior and mission context
• Maintain a working prototype pipeline that supports rapid demonstrations for government customers, OTA consortia, and DoD evaluators with minimal lead time
• Identify technical risks early, escalate them appropriately, propose mitigation approaches, and adjust development priorities to keep prototype work on schedule and within resource constraints
• Mentor and technically guide junior and mid-level developers in applied AI/ML concepts, development practices, and defense problem framing to build internal depth in an area where bench strength is currently limited
• Establish repeatable development patterns, coding standards, and documentation practices so the broader team can contribute effectively to AI/ML prototype efforts over time
• Monitor competitor capabilities, government R&D investment trends, and emerging academic and commercial AI/ML advances to maintain a differentiated position in autonomous systems and simulation training
• Contribute technical concepts for white papers, capability briefs, technical volumes, and proposal content that communicate SCCI’s AI/ML vision and prototype achievements

Required qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship with an active Secret Security Clearance
• BS degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related technical field
• 5 to 7 years of hands-on applied AI/ML development, with a portfolio of prototype or fielded systems demonstrating end-to-end ownership from concept through demonstration
• Expertise in computer vision development and deployment, including object detection, tracking, classification, and scene understanding in operationally relevant contexts
• Experience deploying AI/ML models to edge hardware under real-world constraints (limited compute, power, bandwidth, and connectivity), including optimization techniques such as quantization, pruning, distillation, or equivalent
• Experience building AI/ML solutions that support human-machine teaming principles, reducing operator cognitive load through intelligent automation, prioritized cueing, and adaptive interface behavior, maintaining human-on-the-loop or human-in-the-loop control consistent with DoD AI ethics and autonomy policy
• Track record of delivering working prototypes on compressed timelines without detailed requirements by translating ambiguous operational problems into functional, demonstrable AI/ML solutions
• Ability to fully own a technical effort, covering planning, execution, risk management, and delivery with minimal oversight
• Experience defining technical project objectives, estimating work effort and milestone schedules, and holding delivery accountability without external management pressure
• Experience mentoring junior and mid-level developers and leveling up team capability over time in applied AI/ML
• Ability to establish development standards, reusable patterns, and documentation practices that extend impact across a small team
• Experience working within DoD, defense contractor, or government R&D environments with familiarity of military operational contexts, acquisition frameworks, and transition pathways
• Experience presenting prototype capabilities and technical concepts to government customers, OTA consortia, program offices, or at defense industry events
• Proficiency with Atlassian suite, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office for project tracking, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration
• Demonstrated use of AI-assisted development tools to accelerate R&D workflows and prototype velocity
• Experience identifying, evaluating, and recommending compute and hardware infrastructure for AI/ML development and testing environments, including edge devices, GPUs, and supporting lab equipment

Tools and technologies

• Atlassian suite
• Google Workspace
• Microsoft Office
• GPUs

Benefits

• Health benefits
• Dental benefits
• Vision benefits
• Life and Disability benefits
• 401k with Company Match
• Time off consisting of 2 weeks of paid vacation
• 48 hours of sick/personal leave
• 11 paid Holidays

Preferred qualifications

• Active Top Secret Security Clearance