Senior Applied AI Engineer 3 - (Python, Data Science, Machine Learning)Clearance: TS/SCI - Polygraph required
Position ID: 20-16-028-SWE3
Location: Fort Meade, Maryland
Description:Join a fast-moving AI team focused on delivering mission-critical AI capabilities that enable analysts and operators to make better, faster decisions. As a Senior Applied AI Engineer specializing in Data Science & Analytics, you will develop AI-enabled analytical tools that transform large and complex datasets into actionable mission insights. You will work directly with mission customers to understand analytical challenges, identify opportunities for artificial intelligence and machine learning, and rapidly prototype capabilities that solve real operational problems. Our team emphasizes customer collaboration, rapid iteration, and practical AI solutions over lengthy development cycles. This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys combining data science, machine learning, and software engineering to create mission impact.
- Design and develop AI-enabled analytics applications using Python and modern software engineering practices.
- Perform exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, statistical analysis, and machine learning on mission datasets.
- Develop pattern-of-life, anomaly detection, clustering, and predictive analytics capabilities.
- Build retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and LLM-powered workflows that enhance analytical processes.
- Collaborate directly with mission customers to understand datasets and develop AI-driven analytical solutions.
- Integrate structured and unstructured data into scalable AI applications.
- Evaluate emerging AI and machine learning techniques for mission applicability.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical direction across the team.
Position Required Skills:- Experience developing production software using Python.
- Experience with data science, machine learning, or statistical analysis.
- Experience using libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, or similar.
- Experience building AI or machine learning applications.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working with SQL, Elasticsearch, or other large-scale data platforms.
- Ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Experience collaborating directly with customers to solve analytical problems.
Nice to Haves- Experience with LLMs, prompt engineering, or retrieval-augmented generation (RAG).
- Experience with geospatial analysis, pattern-of-life analytics, or time-series analysis.
- Experience with data visualization tools and dashboard development.
- Experience deploying machine learning models into production.
- Experience supporting classified mission environments.
SWE3 Qualifications:YOE Requirement: 12 yrs., B.S. in a technical discipline or 4 additional yrs. in place of B.S.
Salary Range: $232k-$283k (Annually)
The range displayed above is a likely salary range for this position. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possible contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.
Akina is a Woman Owned, Service Disabled, Veteran Owned, Small Business, looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join our team. We offer a generous compensation package that includes 24 days PTO accrued annually and 11 federal holidays. Our 401k is 100% vested on your start date and the company makes a direct contribution worth 10% of your salary. Akina covers 100% of healthcare costs for employees and 50% toward dependents. We offer educational assistance towards college classes and will cover costs associated with job related training and certifications.Akina is committed to excellence and creating innovative and flexible solutions for our clients. We are a small company with an open ear to our employees' needs in order to attract and retain quality talent that enables our customer's mission.We are an equal employment opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 
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