Lead AI Software Engineer

Role Description

Guidehouse Technology is seeking a highly experienced, driven Lead AI Software Engineer to join our growing team supporting federal clients. This role is ideal for a senior technologist who is passionate about building scalable, secure, and user-centric AI-enabled solutions to address complex government mission challenges.

You will lead the design, development, and deployment of full-stack web applications on AWS, integrating workflow orchestration, relational data systems, advanced analytics, and intuitive, accessible user interfaces. Working with cross-functional teams—including software engineers, data scientists, product managers, and mission stakeholders—you will deliver high-impact solutions that combine modern engineering practices with Artificial Intelligence capabilities.

This role emphasizes hands-on leadership, strong engineering fundamentals, and modern software development practices—including the use of Generative AI–assisted coding tools to accelerate development, improve quality, and enhance delivery velocity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of AI-enabled full-stack web applications deployed on AWS.
• Develop and maintain end-to-end solutions spanning frontend (ReactJS), backend services (Java/Python), APIs, workflow orchestration, and relational database layers.
• Design and implement accessible, user-friendly web interfaces, ensuring compliance with Section 508 and usability standards.
• Architect and manage RDBMS-based data models (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, Aurora) supporting transactional and analytical use cases.
• Build and integrate workflow and process automation capabilities to support business and mission operations.
• Develop data visualization and analytics features to enable decision-making through dashboards, charts, and interactive UI components.
• Lead implementation of AI-enabled features such as intelligent search, chatbots, document processing, or agent-driven workflows.
• Utilize Generative AI–assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Claude Code) for code generation, debugging, testing, refactoring, and documentation while ensuring code quality and security.
• Operate within a SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) environment, contributing to agile release trains, sprint planning, backlog refinement, and cross-team coordination.
• Implement and enforce DevSecOps practices, leveraging application security tools (e.g., SAST, DAST, SCA) to identify, analyze, and remediate software vulnerabilities throughout the development lifecycle.
• Design and maintain CI/CD pipelines with integrated security scanning, automated testing, and compliance checks.
• Mentor engineering teams, conduct code reviews, and establish best practices in software design, security, and cloud-native development.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prototype, iterate, and deliver scalable and secure solutions aligned to mission requirements.

Qualifications

• Must be able to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal or DoD "PUBLIC TRUST"; candidates must obtain approved adjudication of their PUBLIC TRUST prior to onboarding with Guidehouse. Candidates with an ACTIVE PUBLIC TRUST or SUITABILITY are preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related technical field, or additional FOUR (4) years equivalent experience in lieu of degree.
• Minimum SIX (6) years of professional experience in software engineering, including experience in a senior or lead role.
• Expert-level proficiency in Java or Python for backend development.
• Strong hands-on experience with ReactJS for modern frontend application development.
• Demonstrated experience building and deploying full-stack web applications in AWS cloud environments.
• Experience implementing solutions involving workflow orchestration, relational databases (RDBMS), and data visualization.
• Experience designing and developing accessible web user interfaces, including familiarity with accessibility standards and testing tools.
• Experience designing and integrating RESTful APIs, microservices architectures, and distributed systems.
• Hands-on experience with Generative AI–aided coding and software development tools to improve productivity, code quality, and delivery efficiency.
• Experience working within a SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) environment.
• Experience using application security and DevSecOps tools to identify, analyze, and remediate vulnerabilities across the software development lifecycle (e.g., SAST, DAST, SCA, container and dependency scanning).
• Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, version control, and secure coding practices.
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to lead technical teams and engage stakeholders effectively.

Requirements

• Experience developing AI/ML applications, such as Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), chatbots, semantic search, or agentic workflows.
• Familiarity with AI frameworks such as LangChain, Haystack, Semantic Kernel, or similar.
• Experience with AWS services such as Lambda, ECS/Fargate, API Gateway, Step Functions, S3, and Glue.
• Experience with modern data architectures, including lakehouse, federated query engines, or analytics platforms.
• Experience with data visualization tools and libraries (e.g., D3.js, Plotly, Tableau, QuickSight).
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, AWS CDK, CloudFormation).
• Knowledge of federal security and compliance standards (FISMA, FedRAMP, NIST 800-53).
• SAFe certification or additional Agile certifications.
• Experience mentoring teams and driving adoption of secure, AI-enabled, cloud-native development practices.

Benefits

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Group Term Life and Travel Assistance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
• Health Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Transit and Parking Commuter Benefits
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development, Certifications & Learning Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Care.com annual membership
• Employee Assistance Program
• Supplemental Benefits via Corestream (Critical Care, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance and ID theft protection, etc.)
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus