NGA AI/ML Architect

AI/ML Architect

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

• Refine the end-to-end agentic systems architecture, spanning orchestration, messaging, reasoning, validation, and governance.
• Set technical direction for multi-agent frameworks and ensure alignment with NGA CORE, AGAIM, GREAT, and FedRAMP/NIST compliance frameworks.
• Drive adoption of standardized protocols (FIPA ACL, KQML) and event-driven architectures (AWS EventBridge) for agent-to-agent (A2A) coordination.
• Oversee the reference architecture for models, constraint-handling, and human-in-the-loop (HITL) checkpoints.
• Ensure secure, auditable collaboration between agents using Model Context Protocol (MCP).
• Architect traceability-by-design, enabling telemetry capture (logs, metrics, decisions, outcomes) into compliance dashboards.
• Lead alignment of the architecture with NGA governance standards, ATO readiness, and IC/DoD data assurance requirements.
• Technical Leadership of cross-functional teams of AI/ML engineers, data scientists, MLOps, and QA in delivering integrated agentic systems.
• Mentor technical staff, establish architecture review boards, and enforce coding, testing, and compliance standards.
• Engage directly with NGA, DoD, and mission stakeholders to translate requirements into architectural roadmaps.
• Serve as the principle technical advisor during design reviews, proposal development, and industry engagements.

Required qualifications include:

• 3+ years of experience designing, training, validating, and deploying ML models (especially computer vision, geospatial analytics, or time-series)
• Experience supporting NGA. Knowledge of NGA architectures at enterprise, system and program levels
• 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 include:

• 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 include:

• 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

The work environment and physical demands are as follows:

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 include:

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 includes:

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

Other information includes:

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 is provided 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.