Senior AI Engineer

Senior AI Engineer

Everforth ECS is seeking a Senior AI Engineer to work in the National Capital Region covering the Pentagon, Falls Church, and Fairfax. This position is contingent upon contract award.

The War Data Platform (WDP) is a key initiative within the U.S. Department of War's (DoW) AI-First strategy introduced in early 2026. The WDP separates business and financial data from operational warfighting data, aiming to accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) on the battlefield. The WDP extends to Unclassified, Secret, and Top Secret environments, and supports collaboration between Combatant Commands, Joint Staff directorates, Senior Executive Service leaders, and operational analysts.

The Senior AI Engineer serves as a senior-level AI architect and practitioner responsible for designing, building, and deploying advanced artificial intelligence capabilities that modernize WDP Core Integration's operational support functions across all classification tiers. This role leverages machine learning, natural language processing, and retrieval-augmented generation techniques to automate mission-critical workflows, accelerate request resolution, and strengthen WDP's AI-enabled user experience from the Pentagon to the tactical edge.

Responsibilities include:

• Designing and implementing advanced artificial intelligence capabilities supporting War Data Platform (WDP) Core Integration modernization objectives by developing automated mechanisms that accelerate request intake, categorization, triage, and routing across Tier 0 through Tier 3 support channels for customers across NIPRNet, SIPRNet, and JWICS enclaves.
• Building and deploying machine learning classification pipelines, natural language processing models, and retrieval-augmented generation components using platforms such as Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, SageMaker, Amazon Comprehend, and Elasticsearch to identify intent, assign routing paths, and detect anomalous patterns within high-volume operational data streams.
• Integrating AI-driven chatbots, recommender engines, and knowledge discovery modules into the WDP Core Integration user experience to provide instant guidance, dynamic knowledge article suggestions, and automated resolution workflows aligned to Government-approved Standard Operating Procedures and mission readiness objectives.
• Conducting model evaluation using precision, recall, F1 scores, latency thresholds, and throughput benchmarks to validate operational suitability for Combatant Command, Service Headquarters, Joint Staff, and Senior Executive Service mission users.
• Producing deliverables including automation roadmaps, machine learning architecture diagrams, system interface specifications, AI-enabled workflow designs, performance dashboards, and modernization impact reports.
• Collaborating with platform engineers, cybersecurity teams, and mission leads to integrate AI enhancements into enterprise pipelines while reducing ticket resolution times, eliminating bottlenecks, and driving continuous improvement in user sentiment metrics, SLA compliance, and cross-enclave operational efficiency.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements include:

• Current Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in artificial intelligence engineering, machine learning development, or a closely related discipline within a federal, defense, or enterprise technology environment, with demonstrated senior-level expertise designing and deploying production-grade AI/ML systems at scale.
• Hands-on proficiency developing and operationalizing machine learning classification pipelines, natural language processing models, and retrieval-augmented generation architectures using Python and one or more of the following frameworks and platforms: PyTorch, TensorFlow, SageMaker, Amazon Comprehend, or Elasticsearch, including experience deploying these capabilities into multi-enclave government or cloud environments.
• Demonstrated experience integrating AI-driven automation — including chatbots, recommender systems, and automated triage workflows — into enterprise operational support or data platform environments, with the ability to validate model performance using standard evaluation metrics such as precision, recall, F1 score, and latency benchmarks in support of production readiness requirements.
• Experience producing formal AI engineering deliverables including automation roadmaps, ML architecture diagrams, system interface specifications, and performance dashboards, with the ability to effectively communicate technical AI concepts and design decisions to program managers, platform engineers, cybersecurity teams, and senior government stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, with a proven ability to weigh the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and identify the most appropriate solution.
• Highly developed interpersonal and oral/written communication skills, with the ability to effectively and professionally interact with a diverse set of stakeholders (from peers to end-users to executive management).