AI/ML Engineer

AI/ML Engineer

The AI/ML Engineer will be responsible for MLOps, end-to-end operationalization of machine learning models, within a secure, agentic AI framework. Some specific tasks will include:

• Design and implement model ingestion pipelines to onboard new models and datasets
• Automate extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) of model metadata (hyperparameters, training datasets, evaluation metrics, licenses) into standardized registries for validation and governance
• Integrate metadata into unified data ontology structures to enable downstream discoverability and auditability
• Develop automated model evaluation loops to continuously test and benchmark models against mission-defined performance thresholds
• Build scoring logic and performance scorecards, integrating with agent monitoring frameworks to detect constraint violations and trigger re-validation workflows
• Collaborate with governance teams to align validation pipelines to IC/Department of Defense standards and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency accreditation criteria.
• Implement continuous data/model drift monitoring and mitigation pipelines; create retraining or fallback workflows to maintain operational accuracy
• Build explainability layers (feature importance, confidence bounds, constraint violation predictions) and automated factsheets for model transparency and audit compliance
• Integrate reporter agents that automatically collect model outputs, evaluation results, and operational metrics, and generate structured status reports
• Enable human-in-the-loop checkpoints through interactive dashboards, allowing analysts to provide feedback and influence model lifecycle decisions

Required qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience designing, training, validating, and deploying ML models (especially computer vision, geospatial analytics, or time-series)
• Proficiency in Python, PyTorch/TensorFlow, and ML lifecycle tools (MLflow, Kubeflow, Airflow)
• Experience building data/model ingestion pipelines, metadata registries, and automated scoring/benchmarking frameworks
• Familiarity with containerized deployment (Docker/Kubernetes), REST APIs, and distributed architectures (e.g., AWS EventBridge).
• Working knowledge of model governance, explainable AI (XAI) methods, and regulatory/compliance constraints for AI in secure environments
• Active TS security clearance, CI Poly eligible

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's or Ph.D. in AI/ML, Data Science, or related field
• Experience implementing:
• Drift detection algorithms and active retraining loops
• Reporter agents and automated reporting dashboards
• Closed-loop validation pipelines with feedback from human analysts
• Familiarity with Model Context Protocol (MCP), Agent-to-Agent (A2A) communications, and multi-agent orchestration frameworks
• Experience with geospatial/imagery data and NGA tradecraft

Competencies:

• Customer Service
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication
• Organization and Planning
• Interpersonal Awareness
• Establish Focus
• Change Management
• Develop Others
• Build Relationships
• Analytical Thinking
• Conceptual Thinking
• Strategic Thinking
• Technical Expertise
• Initiative
• Foster Innovation
• Results Oriented
• Teamwork

Overview

We are seeking an AI/ML Engineer to support National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Artificial Intelligence (AI) efforts. This engineer will play an important role on a team creating technical solutions for multiple AI challenges.

TekSynap is a fast-growing high-tech company that understands both the pace of technology today and the need to have a comprehensive well planned information management environment.

We offer our full-time employees a competitive benefits package to include health, dental, vision, 401K, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability plans, vacation time and holidays.

Additional Job Information

Work environment and physical demands:

• Location: Reston, Virginia and/or remote. Occasional travel within the National Capital Region (NCR)
• Type of environment: Varies
• Noise level: Low
• Work schedule: "Normal work hours" constitute on average 8 hours a day, 40 hours per week (excluding breaks and meal periods) within standard operational hours occurring 0600-1800, Monday-Friday, excluding Federal holidays. May be requested to work evenings and weekends to meet program and contract needs.
• Amount of Travel: 10%

Physical demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle, feel, touch; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is regularly required to lift up to 10 pounds. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 25 pounds; and up to 50 pounds. The vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance:

• U.S. Citizenship
• TS/SCI with Polygraph

Other information:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

TekSynap is a drug-free workplace. We reserve the right to conduct drug testing in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. All employees and candidates may be subject to drug screening if deemed necessary to ensure a safe and compliant working environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. TekSynap does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as "protected status"). This nondiscrimination policy extends to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment as well as the use of all company facilities, participation in all company-sponsored activities, and all employment actions such as promotions, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.