Lead Automation AI/ML Engineer (Federal Government Project)

Title Lead Automation & AI/ML Engineer Job Type Full-Time Base Pay Range $150,000.00/yr - $170,000.00/yr Job Description As a Lead Consultant you will provide advanced technical expertise and leadership in developing automation and AI/ML solutions that help the Federal government serve the public more effectively. You will lead cross-functional teams to design, develop, and deploy intelligent automation and AI-driven systems, while ensuring high-quality, scalable, and maintainable solutions. In this role, you will mentor junior staff, contribute to professional development initiatives, and help shape innovative approaches to automation and emerging technologies. This role offers a unique opportunity to apply and expand your technical expertise across multiple disciplines, gain practical leadership experience, and drive impactful solutions with real-world outcomes. Responsibilities Automation & AI/ML Development Provide technical leadership in designing, developing, and maintaining automation, AI/ML, and data-driven solutions that improve operational efficiency. Architect solutions that are modular, scalable, reusable, and easy to maintain, leveraging best practices in software engineering. Integrate automation and AI systems into enterprise ecosystems using modern APIs, cloud services, and data pipelines. Establish and enforce coding standards, design patterns, and engineering practices that enable high‑quality solution delivery. Serve as a subject matter expert and technical advisor for the team. Facilitate discussions with developers, project managers, data scientists, and clients to clarify requirements, constraints, and dependencies. Lead open discussions on technical approaches, drive consensus, and make informed, decisive recommendations. Communicate clearly, responsibly, and respectfully across technical and non‑technical audiences. Documentation, Reporting, and Management Maintain clear and concise documentation for code, models, and automations, ensuring smooth collaboration in distributed environments. Review code and solution artifacts, acting as a quality gate. Provide regular and transparent updates on progress, support project managers in planning and risk management. Troubleshooting and Support Lead efforts to identify root causes of technical issues and implement effective fixes promptly. Drive issue resolution with accountability, resourcefulness, and persistence. Leadership, Learning, and Growth Mentor and coach junior staff, contributing to skill development and knowledge‑sharing across the team. Support internal training and professional development initiatives. Stay up to date with emerging technologies in automation, AI/ML, and software engineering practices. Technical Skills Proficient in at least one modern programming language (Python, Java, C#, or similar). Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and technologies, including large language models (LLMs), natural language processing (NLP), prompt engineering, and model evaluation. Hands‑on experience with machine learning frameworks (TensorFlow, Torch, Scikit‑learn) and end‑to‑end ML workflows (data preprocessing, training, deployment, and monitoring). Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and their AI/ML and automation services. Strong knowledge of data structures and formats (e.g., JSON, XML) and experience with databases (SQL and NoSQL). Experience with modern version control and CI/CD practices (e.g., Git, GitHub, GitLab, Azure DevOps). Applied knowledge of agile development principles and tools like Jira or Azure DevOps. Experience with containerization, APIs, and enterprise integration is a plus. Strong understanding of software engineering principles, including modular design, testing, and exception handling. Other Qualifications Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to break down complex processes and design effective solutions. Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences. Demonstrated eagerness to learn and adopt new technologies, while actively sharing knowledge. Strong collaboration skills with the ability to address issues directly and respectfully. Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and proactive in solving problems. Capable of working independently with minimal supervision. Experience 3–6 years of experience in software engineering, automation development, or AI/ML solution delivery. Experience in a project‑based work environment with regular production releases. Exposure to high‑volume, complex solutions or systems with a large user base is a plus. Public sector consulting experience is a plus. Education Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, or related field, or equivalent practical experience. Professional certifications in AI/ML, cloud, or automation technologies are highly desirable. Scrum or PMI certifications are a plus. #J-18808-Ljbffr