Sr. AI Engineer, Special Programs

About the role

In this pivotal position, you will focus on crafting and deploying artificial intelligence solutions tailored for various U.S. federal agencies. Your responsibilities will include the engineering of AI models, APIs, and tools, ensuring seamless integration into governmental infrastructures. The role is centered around the practical application of AI technologies while upholding the highest standards of safety and ethical considerations.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop and establish connections between sophisticated AI models, such as the Grok series, and governmental platforms, systems, and data ecosystems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design custom SDKs, APIs, and developer tools, along with comprehensive documentation for use by government and enterprise developers.
• Engage with agency representatives to identify their requirements, create prototype solutions, and iteratively enhance them based on user feedback.
• Produce production-ready code and features, emphasizing speed, simplicity, and measurable outcomes.
• Conduct thorough testing and validation of AI solutions to ensure reliability and effectiveness in real-world applications.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in AI technology and integrate relevant innovations into existing projects.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide guidance on best practices in AI development and software engineering.
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to the continuous improvement of development processes and methodologies.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in computer science or a related STEM field; alternatively, a minimum of 2 years of professional software development experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree.
• At least 5 years of practical experience in software engineering, with a focus on building scalable systems, APIs, or AI/ML applications.
• Strong expertise in Python programming language.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality software solutions under tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with software development methodologies and best practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Nice to have

• Experience working with large language models, generative AI, or agentic systems in either research or applied engineering contexts.
• Understanding of technology landscapes within government or public sector environments, including federal civilian agencies or regulated industries such as healthcare and finance.
• A keen product sense, with the ability to translate ambiguous stakeholder requirements into clear technical solutions.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities and a genuine curiosity for tackling complex, ambiguous challenges.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey intricate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders effectively.
• Previous involvement in AI safety, governance, red-teaming, or responsible AI implementation.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and containerization technologies (Docker/Kubernetes).
• Background in policy-related technical roles, civic tech, or public-interest technology.
• Contributions to open-source AI initiatives or developer tools.

Skills & tools

• Proficiency in Python
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, and Azure (preferred)
• Experience with containerization tools like Docker and Kubernetes (preferred)

Practical notes

• The compensation package includes a base salary, long-term incentives (stock options, cash awards), potential discretionary bonuses, and participation in an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Benefits encompass comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various employee discounts.
• Employees are entitled to three weeks of paid vacation annually, in addition to ten or more paid holidays each year, along with paid sick leave.
• Candidates must be prepared to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.
• The role may require up to 20% travel to government facilities.
• This position mandates the acquisition and maintenance of a Top Secret Security Clearance. The clearance application process should commence promptly upon accepting an offer, as failure to secure the clearance may lead to modifications in employment status or termination.
• In compliance with U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR), applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, or asylees, or must be eligible to obtain the necessary authorizations.