Senior Technical Lead - Model Zoo

Senior Technical Lead – Model Zoo Everforth ECS is seeking a Senior Technical Lead - Model Zoo to work in the National Capital Region covering the Pentagon, Falls Church, and Fairfax. Please note: 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 focuses on operational warfighting data and aims 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. Responsibilities The Senior Technical Lead - Model Zoo serves as the authoritative technical architect and operational leader for the WDP Core Integration Model Zoo, the central interface through which mission users across all classification levels discover, request, and access production‑ready AI and machine learning models. This role drives the technical strategy, catalog governance, and integration architecture required to deliver secure, transparent, and mission‑aligned model access across Unclassified, Secret, and Top Secret environments in direct support of WDP Core Integration program objectives. Leads the technical strategy, architecture, and operational advancement of the War Data Platform (WDP) Core Integration Model Zoo as the authoritative interface for discovering, requesting, and accessing production‑ready AI and machine learning models across Unclassified, Secret, and Top Secret mission environments. Defines the model catalog structure, metadata requirements, access workflows, approval pathways, and integration patterns that link the Model Zoo to scanning pipelines, packaging workflows, deployment systems, serving runtimes, and API endpoint configuration processes. Designs and governs model registration services, discovery APIs, role‑based access controls, audit logging functions, and request‑routing logic aligned with NIST security controls, Zero Trust foundations, and enclave‑specific constraints. Implements scalable catalog services using enterprise content frameworks, search indexing technologies, and automated metadata extraction tools that maintain authoritative visibility into available models, operational status, lineage, deployment artifacts, and cross‑domain promotion readiness. Coordinates release activities with pipeline engineering, backend service engineering, cybersecurity engineering, and external model‑provider integration teams to align Model Zoo updates with model promotion cycles, test and evaluation gate results, and enclave readiness requirements. Develops technical documentation, interface specifications, catalog schemas, governance artifacts, and operational runbooks that guide development teams and mission stakeholders. Advances WDP Core Integration program value by delivering a structured, secure, and mission‑aligned catalog that accelerates model discoverability, increases deployment transparency, strengthens access governance, and supports rapid adoption of AI capabilities across all enclaves. Performs other duties as assigned. Required Skills Current Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). 10 or more years of progressive experience in technical leadership roles spanning AI/ML platform engineering, catalog architecture, or model lifecycle management, with demonstrated responsibility for designing and operating large‑scale model discovery, access governance, and serving integration systems in classified or federal government environments. Demonstrated experience architecting and governing AI/ML model catalog or model zoo capabilities, including the design of metadata schemas, model registration workflows, role‑based access controls, audit logging, and API‑driven discovery services within a multi‑enclave or multi‑classification cloud environment. Hands‑on experience integrating catalog services with DevSecOps pipelines, scanning workflows, model deployment runtimes, and API gateway configurations, with demonstrated ability to align catalog state with model promotion cycles and test and evaluation gate outcomes. CompTIA A+ certification or equivalent, demonstrating validated foundational knowledge of IT systems, hardware, software, and operational support practices. 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). Desired Skills Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility. Advanced cloud or AI/ML platform certification such as AWS Machine Learning Specialty, Databricks Certified Machine Learning Professional, or an equivalent credential demonstrating validated expertise in production AI/ML deployment, model lifecycle governance, and cloud‑native catalog infrastructure in GovCloud or classified environments. Practical experience with AI/ML model serving frameworks and tooling used within the WDP ecosystem, such as vLLM, Amazon Bedrock, Hugging Face, Ray, or MLflow, including working knowledge of how model zoo catalog state maps to serving runtime configurations and cross‑domain promotion readiness. Familiarity with Zero Trust Architecture principles and Risk Management Framework (RMF) requirements as they apply to model access governance, identity‑based request routing, audit traceability, and continuous authorization across Unclassified, Secret, and Top Secret enclave boundaries. Experience developing and presenting technical governance artifacts, catalog design specifications, and program briefings for senior military, Senior Executive Service, and program management stakeholders in a DoW or Intelligence Community environment. ECS Federal LLC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis any characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local jurisdiction law. #J-18808-Ljbffr ECS