AI/ML Engineer - Technical Project Lead

Job ID: 2618252-OTHLOC-209

Location: Reston, VA, US

Date Posted: 2026-10-21

Category: Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory: Machine Learning Engineer

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required: Top_Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: TS/SCI

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_HYBRID


Description


We are seeking an experienced and mission-focused SME AI/ML Engineer to lead, coordinate, and accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge AI/ML and secure cloud concepts and solutions across several key IC programs. This is a Hybrid role and are open only to candidates in North Virginia area. Candidates must have an active Top Secret Clearance with the ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance . Your primary mission is twofold:

1. Programmatic Execution: Serve as the primary programmatic liaison and task manager interfacing with the various external program teams that our matrixed team supports. Your mission is to collect incoming program requests, manage intermixed timelines, and coordinate deliverables for execution and business growth.
2. Accreditation Leadership: Drive the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and Authority to Operate (ATO) processes to transition AI/ML prototypes into operational high-side environments.

1. Inter-Program Liaison & Task Management (40%)

• Act as the Central Interface: Serve as the primary point of contact for the various program leads we support. Build strong relationships with these stakeholders to understand their unique deliverables, timelines, and technical expectations.
• Triage & Manage the Backlog: Gather, organize, and prioritize task requests from different programs into a single, cohesive team backlog. Coordinate schedules to prevent conflicts and ensure realistic milestones.

2. Security Compliance & Accreditation Coordination (30%)

• Guide the ATO Process: Partner with our security stakeholders to navigate the Risk Management Framework (RMF / ICD 503) and compile the necessary documentation (such as System Security Plans) to get our software accredited.
• Act as Compliance Liaison: Support interfacing with Government Security Officers (ISSOs/ISSMs), translating technical features into compliance solutions as necessary.
• Secure Developer Environments: Work hand-in-hand with internal Corporate IT, facilities, and security groups to set up, upgrade, and maintain the secure workspaces, labs, and closed areas our team needs.
• Support Tech Execution: Assist developers in testing, refining, and documenting experimental code and models.
• Technical Architecture Development: Collaborate with our core AI/ML Developer to help architect, research and design rapid, high-fidelity proof-of-concept demos.

3. Developer Support (30%)

• Support Tech Execution: Assist developers in testing, refining, and documenting experimental code and models.
• Technical Architecture Development: Collaborate with our core AI/ML Developer to help architect, research and design rapid, high-fidelity proof-of-concept demos.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 14 years of experience or master's degree with 12 years of experience.
• Active Top Secret Clearance with the ability to get a TS/SCI .
• Task Coordination & Liaison Skills: 3+ years of experience coordinating tasks, managing backlogs, or acting as a liaison between teams in a technical setting (e.g., IT, software, or engineering environments).
• Familiarity with Government Accreditation Process: Basic understanding or working familiarity with secure systems, security plans, or the accreditation process (RMF/ATO) in government environments.
• AI/ML Architect: Practical experience writing basic Python code and providing support to architect/whiteboard solutions for complex problems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience deploying systems in secure, multi-tenant cloud environments (e.g., AWS C2S / SC2S, Azure Government) or air-gapped networks.
• Familiarity with IC missions.

Target salary range: $220,001 - $260,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

SAIC is a premier technology integrator providing full life cycle services and solutions in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets. SAIC is Redefining Ingenuity through its deep customer and domain knowledge to enable the delivery of systems engineering and integration offerings for large, complex projects. SAIC's approximately 15,000 employees are driven by integrity and mission focus to serve customers in the U.S. federal government. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see .