Machine Learning Specialist

About the Role:

We are seeking a motivated and technically skilled Machine Learning Developer to join our innovative team supporting a DoD Agency as they establish their Chief Data and AI Office. This role is supporting a variety of Artificial Intelligence (AI) use cases, and is ideal for someone with a strong foundation in Python programming and machine learning. We are seeking a candidate eager to apply their expertise to real-world business challenges for our defense sector clients. This person filling this role will collaborate with the AI functional team to deliver actionable insights and intelligent solutions. This is a unique opportunity to grow your career in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities:

* Collaborate with a cross-functional team of data scientists and data analysts while working in a fast paced and innovative environment

* Deep understanding of AI/ML processes with experience with scoping AI use cases, and preparing data for modeling and deployment

* Write clean, maintainable code and contribute to the development of internal ML libraries and tools.

* Proficiency in Python and experience with ML libraries (scikit-learn, pandas, numpy) and deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras)

* Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), big data technologies (e.g., Spark), MLOps practices and model deployment pipelines

* Experience with version control systems (git, GitLab) and agile development methodologies including the ability to write and manage quality tickets and merge requests

* Experience applying Hugging Face transformers, and fine-tuning LLMs

* Experience with advanced text data pre-processing using NLP for ML inputs, including engineering model features from unstructured text

* Ensure adherence to data governance, security, and ethical AI practices

* Consult and provide guidance on implementing AI and ML technologies, techniques, processes, and procedures to enhance and transform current business processes

* Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients on AI/ML best practices, understanding their business needs and translating them into technical requirements to help them establish and scale their AI capabilities

* Stay current with the latest advancements in AI/ML and identify opportunities for innovation

Required Qualifications:

* Secret (or above) Security Clearance

* Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, or related field.

* 2-5 years of experience in building and deploying machine learning models in production.

* Proficiency in Python and experience with ML libraries (scikit-learn, pandas, numpy) and deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras)

* Solid understanding of machine learning concepts, model evaluation, and optimization techniques.

* Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), big data technologies (e.g., Spark), MLOps practices and model deployment pipelines

* Experience with version control systems (git, GitLab) and agile development methodologies including the ability to write and manage quality tickets and merge requests

Preferred Qualifications:

* Experience working with the DoD and/or Federal government agencies

* Experience with MLOps tools (e.g., MLflow, SageMaker, Vertex AI).

* Background in deep learning, computer vision, or natural language processing.

* Contributions to open-source ML projects or publications in ML research

The ideal candidate will combine technical expertise with strong communication skills, enabling them to drive innovation while effectively managing team dynamics and client expectations. They should be passionate about AI/ML and committed to delivering high-quality solutions that address complex challenges in the defense and federal government sector.