OverviewFTI Defense is seeking an AI/ML Software Engineer to design, build, and deploy secure, scalable software and data systems that support mission operations, analytics, and simulation environments. This role is for a hands-on engineer and someone who loves writing code, building systems end-to-end, and solving real-world technical challenges in secure, distributed environments.
FTI Defense delivers mission-focused solutions to the Department of Defense (DoD/DoW) and Intelligence Community (IC) through advanced engineering, digital transformation, and program execution expertise. We help our customers solve complex challenges by integrating people, process, and technology.
ResponsibilitiesSoftware Design & Development- Design and implement APIs, data pipelines, and simulation runtime logic that connect and enable mission applications.
- Develop software using modern programming languages such as Java, Python, C++, or TypeScript/Angular.
- Write clean, testable, and maintainable code following secure coding and software engineering best practices.
- Build and integrate modular microservices to improve scalability, maintainability, and interoperability.
Cloud & Containerized Environments- Build and deploy containerized, cloud-native services using Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines (GitLab, Jenkins, or equivalent).
- Implement Infrastructure-as-Code and automation scripts to accelerate deployment and configuration management.
- Contribute to secure deployments across hybrid or disconnected environments (IL4-IL6, AWS GovCloud, or on-prem).
Systems Integration & Distributed Computing- Develop distributed systems and data integration frameworks using message buses such as Kafka or Redis.
- Engineer data flow between analytic, AI, and simulation components to support real-time mission use cases.
- Collaborate with system engineers and architects to ensure interoperability across software ecosystems.
Data & Analytics Integration- Build and manage databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, graph DBs) and model complex data relationships.
- Develop data services that feed analytics pipelines or integrate AI/ML outputs into runtime systems.
- Work with serialization and exchange formats such as JSON, Protobuf, GeoJSON, or KML.
Security, Testing & Sustainment- Write, test, and deploy software within secure or classified environments.
- Automate testing and monitoring to ensure performance, reliability, and repeatable deployments.
- Support the transition of prototypes to operational systems, focusing on maintainability and observability.
Education/QualificationsMinimum Requirements:- 6-10+ years of professional software engineering experience.
- 3+ years of professional experience with DevSecOps, Zero-Trust, or ATO/RMF processes in Department of Defense (DoD/DoW) environments.
- Strong full-stack or systems engineering background.
- Proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Java, Python, C++, or TypeScript/Angular.
- Experience building containerized, cloud-native solutions using Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines.
- Complete understanding of distributed systems and message buses (Kafka, Redis, etc.).
- Experience developing or integrating analytics and AI models into production systems.
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience deploying code in IL4-IL6 or edge/disconnected environments.
- Familiarity with databases such as PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or graph databases.
- Knowledge of Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform, CloudFormation, or CDK).
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Active Secret clearance preferred; ability to obtain one is required.
For this role, the compensation range for candidates is $190k-$220k . *Note: Starting pay will be based on a number of factors and commensurate with qualifications & experience. FTI has a location-based compensation structure; there may be a different range for candidates in other locations.
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