Principal AI Engineer SWE3 (QC) TTO16-033

Software Engineering Annapolis Junction, Maryland


Description

Clarity Innovations connects human creativity with emerging technology to design, develop, and deploy software that enhances mission success. Our focus is redefining the Government’s relationship with technology by encouraging the use of DevSecOps and Agile methodologies, small-teams constructs, modern tech stacks, and automation. Our software improves the lives and work of our end users and enhances innovation. We fulfill our responsibility to our country by delivering mission-changing results that help shape a better and safer world.   

Description:
The Principal AI Engineer will provide technical leadership and strategic direction for our AI/ML initiatives, balancing hands-on development with architectural oversight. This role will evaluate emerging AI technologies, architect scalable solutions, and mentor junior developers while ensuring delivery of production-grade AI systems. You will work directly with stakeholders to understand business needs and translate them into technical solutions that drive value.
Responsibilities
 
  • Lead technical strategy for AI/ML initiatives across multiple product lines.
  • Evaluate and recommend state-of-the-art AI technologies based on business needs and technical constraints.
  • Architect end-to-end AI solutions from proof of concept to production.
  • Break down complex AI projects into manageable components for junior developers.
  • Provide technical mentorship and code reviews to develop team capabilities.
  • Work directly with stakeholders to gather requirements and communicate technical solutions.
  • Establish best practices for AI development, testing, and deployment.
Skills Requirements:
  • 12+ years of software engineering experience with 5+ years focused on AI/ML.
  • Proven track record of leading successful AI projects from conception to production.
  • Strong expertise in Python and modern ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face).
  • Deep understanding of MLOps practices and tools (MLflow, Weights & Biases, etc.).
  • Experience architecting cloud-native AI solutions (AWS/Azure/GCP).
  • Strong background in large language models (LLMs) and emerging AI technologies.
  • Experience mentoring junior developers and leading technical teams.
  • Excellence in system design and software architecture.
  • Track record of making strategic technical decisions with demonstrable business impact.
  • Strong communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Leadership Competencies: Ability to influence and drive technical decisions across teams.
  • Excellence in breaking down complex problems into manageable components.
  • Strong prioritization and project planning skills.
  • Proven ability to mentor and grow junior talent.
  • Track record of successful stakeholder management.
  • Ability to balance technical excellence with practical business needs.
Nice to Haves:
  • Experience with specialized AI domains (computer vision, NLP, reinforcement learning).
  • Background in distributed systems and high-performance computing.
  • Experience with AI model optimization and deployment on edge devices.
  • Familiarity with AI ethics and responsible AI practices.
  • Research experience or published papers in AI/ML.
  • Open source contributions to major AI/ML projects.
  • Experience with AI system security and privacy considerations.
YOE Requirement: 12 yrs., B.S. in a technical discipline or 4 additional yrs. in place of B.S.

Clearance: TS/SCI with polygraph

Clarity Innovations provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, or any other protected class.