AI/ML Engineer III

Full-time Contract Position – Englewood, CO

Our Client delivers customer-focused operations and best-of-breed integrations in the aerospace and defense sectors. Through leading-edge technologies and transformative solutions, it has been honored as one of the most innovative U.S. companies in space, a Tier One Superior Supplier for the U.S. Air Force, and one of America’s fastest-growing corporations. The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) team also provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection, and security solutions worldwide. #EngineeringTheFuture

The Company

Our Client’s mission is to stay ahead of the curve, developing solutions today to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. With over 60 years of leadership, they have driven transformative change in the aerospace and defense industry. Their innovative solutions provide connected protection through advanced command, control, and communications platforms, along with capabilities in ISR, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum management, and more, ensuring national security across multiple domains. Dedicated to expanding the industrial base and delivering open architecture platforms, our client plays a crucial role in fostering competition, providing value, and accelerating innovation. Their ability to scale and commitment to open architecture set them apart in driving industry progress.

The Position

As an AI/ML Engineer III, you will serve as the technical lead for advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning initiatives within a fast-paced research and development environment. In this role, you will architect, develop, and deploy innovative AI/ML solutions that support autonomy, perception systems, analytics, and next-generation technologies for aerospace and defense applications. Working alongside cross-functional engineering teams, you will lead rapid prototype development, establish technical direction, mentor fellow engineers, and translate mission objectives into scalable AI/ML systems that deliver real-world impact under accelerated development timelines.

Duties & Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced AI/ML models, including deep learning, reinforcement learning, and generative AI solutions
Architect scalable AI/ML systems and rapid proof-of-concept prototypes from data ingestion through model deployment and evaluation
Define technical requirements, system architecture, and development roadmaps aligned with mission objectives
Collaborate with software, systems, hardware, and product engineering teams to integrate AI/ML capabilities into autonomous platforms
Shape AI/ML system behavior, evaluate technical tradeoffs, and solve complex engineering challenges in evolving environments
Develop validation, testing, and performance frameworks to ensure reliability, safety, and compliance
Identify technical risks, recommend mitigation strategies, and support project planning, staffing, and resource requirements
Mentor engineers, promote AI/ML best practices, and help expand organizational machine learning capabilities
Present technical demonstrations, trade studies, and project updates to leadership and key stakeholders
Research and implement emerging AI/ML technologies to drive innovation across aerospace and defense programs

Supervisory Responsibilities

No immediate direct reports

Skills & Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related STEM field (or equivalent experience)
6+ years of AI/ML, software engineering, or related experience (9+ years without a degree)
Strong proficiency with Python, C++, C#, or Java for AI/ML application development.
Experience with TensorFlow, PyTorch, and modern machine learning frameworks
Expertise in supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement learning, and generative AI models, including transformers
Experience developing, deploying, optimizing, and scaling production AI/ML models, including CNNs, RNNs, and neural networks
Knowledge of AI/ML architecture, data pipelines, feature engineering, model training, deployment, and optimization
Experience leading technical projects, mentoring engineers, and working independently with minimal oversight
Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse stakeholders
Understanding of AI/ML validation, testing, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements within aerospace or defense environments

Preferred Experience

Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Science, or a related field
Experience leading AI/ML initiatives within aerospace, defense, or advanced technology organizations
Background building or scaling AI/ML capabilities for emerging engineering teams
Experience with embedded AI, autonomous systems, multimodal sensor fusion, or real-time machine learning applications
Knowledge of MLOps, model validation frameworks, data versioning, and DevOps or Agile development practices
Experience with GPU programming, CUDA, TensorRT, high-performance computing, or hardware acceleration technologies
Hands-on experience with reinforcement learning, generative AI, GANs, transformers, or advanced statistical modeling
Familiarity with edge AI, explainable AI (XAI), and human-machine interface (HMI) development.
Experience analyzing large-scale datasets and translating mission objectives into technical system requirements
Demonstrated ability to deliver rapid AI/ML prototypes within fast-paced research and development environments

Work Environment

On-site position located in Englewood, Colorado
This is a 4-month contract

Compensation

Position offers an hourly W2 Rate between $65 - $70, with additional benefits

Requirements

Because this client is a Federal Government Contractor performing services for the DoD, US Air Force, NASA and others, they do require US, Non-Dual Citizenship

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

None required

Other Duties

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.

This company is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.