Sr. AI Platform Developer(Python / Machine Learning / Deep Learning/ MLOps / Cloud AI) - Herndon VA

Are you a seasoned AI/ML developer with deep expertise building and deploying intelligent systems at enterprise scale? We are seeking a Sr. AI Platform Developer T4 a senior-level machine learning engineer to join our IT team in Herndon, VA, working across Python, cloud ML infrastructure, NLP, and data platforms.

This hybrid contract role requires 4–5 days per week on-site in Herndon, VA, offers competitive hourly compensation, and carries a clear path to full-time employment in October 2026. If you thrive in high-accountability technical environments and want to deliver impactful AI solutions supporting government and enterprise missions, this role is for you.

Quick Facts Box
• Location: Herndon, VA – Hybrid (Minimum 4 days onsite; some weeks 5 days required)
• Schedule: Full-time
• Duration: Contract through October 2026 with required FTE conversion
• Citizenship: US Citizen – Dual citizens accepted (no sanctioned countries)

What You'll Do

Machine Learning & Model Development
• Design, train, and optimize ML models using supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning techniques
• Build and fine-tune neural network architectures including CNNs and RNNs for complex AI applications
• Develop and maintain pipelines using TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, and scikit-learn

Data Science & Engineering
• Perform data acquisition, cleaning, preprocessing, and feature engineering for large-scale datasets
• Work with SQL and NoSQL databases to manage structured and unstructured data
• Leverage Apache Spark and OpenSearch for big data processing and analytics

Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Apply NLP techniques and libraries including NLTK, spaCy, and Hugging Face Transformers
• Build and deploy language models for enterprise AI applications

Cloud & MLOps
• Deploy and manage AI/ML models across AWS, GCP, and/or Azure cloud environments
• Implement MLOps principles for model monitoring, versioning, and lifecycle management
• Collaborate with cloud and infrastructure teams to maintain scalable AI platforms

Mathematics & Research
• Apply deep knowledge of linear algebra, calculus, probability, and statistics to model development
• Evaluate and integrate emerging AI research and tooling into production systems

What We're Looking ForRequired Qualifications
• US Citizen (dual citizens accepted; no sanctioned-country dual citizenship)
• 7–10 years of hands-on AI/ML development experience
• Mastery of Python; R, Java, and/or C++ are highly valued
• Deep expertise in ML concepts: supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning
• Proficiency with TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, and scikit-learn
• Strong data science skills: acquisition, cleaning, preprocessing, feature engineering
• Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases
• Familiarity with Apache Spark and OpenSearch for large-scale data
• NLP expertise: NLTK, spaCy, and/or Hugging Face Transformers
• Cloud ML experience on AWS, GCP, or Azure with applied MLOps principles
• Strong foundation in linear algebra, calculus, probability, and statistics
• Must be willing to convert to FTE in October 2026
• Must be available on-site in Herndon, VA at least 4 days per week

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with large language models (LLMs) and generative AI applications
• Knowledge of model governance, explainability, and responsible AI frameworks
• Experience supporting government or mission-critical AI systems
• Familiarity with containerized ML workloads (Docker, Kubernetes)

Why This Role
• Senior T4 role with broad AI platform ownership across the full ML lifecycle
• Multi-cloud exposure: AWS, Azure, and GCP in a live enterprise environment
• Meaningful work supporting government-mission-aligned clients
• Long-term stability – ~12-month contract with convert-to-FTE in October 2026

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must meet every requirement below before applying:
• US Citizen – dual citizens accepted only if not from a sanctioned country
• 7–10 years of hands-on AI/ML development experience
• Direct experience with Python and core ML/DL frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, etc.)
• Experience deploying AI/ML models on AWS, Azure, or GCP
• Must be willing to convert to full-time employment in October 2026
• Must be available on-site in Herndon, VA at least 4 days per week

Candidates who do not meet all of the above requirements will not be considered.

How to Apply

Apply through Indeed with your updated resume clearly detailing your AI/ML development experience, frameworks used, and cloud environments managed. Resumes that do not reflect hands-on ML engineering experience will not be reviewed.

You will be asked the following questions during the application process:
• Are you a US Citizen? If dual citizen, please confirm you do not hold citizenship from a sanctioned country.
• How many years of hands-on AI/ML development experience do you have?
• Which ML/DL frameworks have you used professionally: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, scikit-learn?
• Which cloud platforms have you deployed AI/ML models on – AWS, Azure, or GCP?
• Are you willing to convert to full-time employment in October 2026?
• Can you work on-site in Herndon, VA at least 4 days per week?

Pay: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00 per year

Benefits:
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Herndon, VA 20171