Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Data Engineer

Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Data EngineerMAG Aerospace is staffing for an Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Data Engineer. This position will lead the development of intelligent systems that transform multi-modal sensor data into actionable intelligence for tactical operations. You'll leverage COTS, FOSS/OSS, and custom development to build or integrate everything from edge computer vision to conversational AI assistants, while managing the data pipelines that feed these systems in the most challenging environments. While you'll have a core expertise in either data engineering or model development, you have a passion for mastering the full stack of AI systems.US Citizens OnlyFormer US Defense Contractor / US Gov / US Military Experience OnlyThis is a Hybrid Position - Remote mainly - but as well on call to come into a MAG office when requestedWe are seeking candidates who live in proximity to our corporate HQ in Fairfax, VA primarily but will entertain persons living near our satellite offices in: Aberdeen, MD - Titusville, FL - Newport News, VA - Carthage NCEssential Duties and ResponsibilitiesDuties include, but not limited to:Primary Responsibilities:Develop and optimize data-centric AI solutions such as computer vision pipelines for object detection, tracking, and classificationImplement advanced AI capabilities including RAG systems, agentic workflows, and fine-tuned LLMsDesign and deploy edge-optimized models using TensorRT, ONNX, and quantization techniquesBuild data engineering pipelines for ETL, feature engineering, and model trainingCreate analytics dashboards and business intelligence solutions for operational insightsImplement multi-modal sensor fusion algorithms (visual, thermal, acoustic, RF)Design and maintain data lakes, warehouses, and real-time streaming architecturesDevelop conversational AI interfaces using open-source LLMs (Llama, Mistral, etc.)Establish and enforce data quality standards, validation checks, and governance procedures throughout the data lifecycleDevelop and implement robust testing and validation strategies for AI/ML models, including performance under degraded data conditions, adversarial testing, and operational scenariosSecondary Responsibilities:Optimize AI workloads for embedded platforms (Jetson, Intel Neural Compute Stick)Implement hardware acceleration using CUDA and TensorRTProfile and optimize memory/power consumption for edge devicesSupport embedded systems team with AI-specific hardware integrationDesign distributed inference systems for degraded network conditionsRequirementsMinimum Requirements:Primary Experience / Qualifications:5+ years' experience in machine learning, AI, and data engineeringStrong proficiency in Python and ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX)Experience with modern AI paradigms (transformers, diffusion models, neural ODEs)Hands-on experience with LLM deployment and optimization (vLLM, TGI, llama.cpp)Proficiency with data engineering tools (Apache Spark, Airflow, dbt, etc.)Experience with both SQL and NoSQL databases at scaleKnowledge of vector databases and embedding systems (Pinecone, Weaviate, pgvector)Experience with computer vision libraries (OpenCV, PIL) and video processingUnderstanding of MLOps practices and model lifecycle managementPreferred QualificationsExperience with military/defense AI applicationsKnowledge of agentic AI frameworks (LangChain, AutoGPT, CrewAI)Familiarity with federated learning and edge-cloud hybrid architecturesExperience with business intelligence tools (Tableau, PowerBI, Grafana)Knowledge of time-series analysis and anomaly detectionExperience with knowledge graphs and semantic reasoningUnderstanding of explainable AI and model interpretabilityExperience with MLOps platforms and tools (e.g., MLflow, Kubeflow, Weights & Biases)Published research or patents in relevant areasEducation & Experience:Bachelor's degree in CS, EE, or related field;Master's preferredClearance:Must be eligible for Secret security clearanceOther Qualifications:Must be a US citizenSpecial NoteWhat Makes You Successful HereYou can build anything from a computer vision pipeline to a conversational AI assistantYou treat data engineering as seriously as model developmentYou understand the tradeoffs between cloud-scale and edge deploymentYou can explain complex AI concepts to operators and executives alikeYou see AI as a tool for augmenting human decision-making, not replacing itWhy Join MAG:Work on meaningful problems that directly impact national securitySmall, elite team where your contributions matter immediatelyAccess to cutting-edge hardware and technologiesRapid prototyping environment - see your ideas deployed in weeksDirect interaction with end users and field deploymentsProfessional development and conference attendance supportFlexible work arrangements with occasional field exercisesOpportunity to shape the future of tactical edge computingCompany PolicyMAG Aerospace (MAG) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. We encourage diverse candidates to apply to our positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.