Principal AI/ML Engineer

In this role, you will help shape the long-term AI/ML technical vision for the organization, guide high-impact R&D initiatives, and lead the development of advanced autonomy, perception, analytics, and generative AI capabilities. You will be responsible for setting technical direction across multiple simultaneous efforts, defining architectural standards, and ensuring that JTF Sierra’s prototypes and initiatives represent industry-leading innovation. This role requires exceptional technical depth, the ability to operate with extreme autonomy, and the leadership presence to influence engineering culture, collaborate with program leadership, mentor staff, and represent the team to senior executives, customers, and external partners. The ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), Aviation, and Security (IAS) business area is a leader in ISR and aviation, it is a leading prime manned and unmanned aircraft systems integrator for innovative, high-performance ISR and aviation systems. Its end-to-end Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities encompass design, integration, test, certification, ground/flight training and complete logistics support. IAS tailors solutions to customer cost, performance, and schedule requirements and designs to consistently exceed expectations – with an unrivaled record of on time and on (or under) budget deliveries. Role Expectations Specific to JTF Sierra Translate broad mission objectives into program-level AI/ML architectures, strategies, staffing plans, data approaches, and technical frameworks. Drive system-level AI/ML decision-making by establishing technical standards and guiding engineering trade studies that shape platform-level autonomy and perception capabilities. Identify and champion high-value R&D opportunities, emerging technologies, and cross-organizational partnerships that accelerate SNC’s AI/ML advancements. Provide deep technical consultation across JTF Sierra and adjacent Business Unit product lines, ensuring architectural coherence and consistent technical excellence. Ensure AI/ML solutions are architected for scalability and seamless integration with enterprise-wide platforms. Collaborate with IT and infrastructure teams to define and implement the necessary tools, data pipelines, and computing resources to support sustainable AI/ML operations across the organization. Balance program-specific AI/ML solution development with the strategic creation of reusable frameworks, shared data assets, and foundational infrastructure that enable cross-program and enterprise-wide AI/ML adoption. Responsibilities: Lead design and technical direction for next-generation architectures spanning deep learning, reinforcement learning, multimodal generative AI, and advanced perception/decision systems Architect and oversee end-to-end multi-program AI/ML systems across platforms and embedded systems Assist with development of long-term technical strategies, roadmaps, and requirements for emerging AI/ML initiatives Identify, define, and advocate for the foundational data, compute, MLOps, and cloud/on-prem infrastructure necessary to support sustainable and secure AI/ML development and deployment across JTF Sierra and related business units. Establish and promote best practices for the full AI/ML lifecycle—including data management, model versioning, CI/CD for ML, monitoring, and continuous improvement—to ensure reliable deployment and operation of AI/ML models in production. Oversee multiple development streams, providing technical reviews, risk assessments, and mitigations plans Shape system-level behavior and engineering tradeoffs when requirements are ambiguous Lead development of simulations, sensor fusion models, vision models, and planning/decision algorithms Represent JTF Sierra to leadership, customers, and partners (assist in developing and presenting briefings, demos, high-level technical presentations, etc) Establish adaptive, agile AI/ML validation, verification, and safety frameworks for proof-of-concept level mission-critical systems Evaluate and introduce emerging technologies (examples: transformers, RLHF, edge AI, XAI, GPU acceleration) Partner with Program Manager and Project Engineer to define staffing, data, schedules, and resources required to execute JTF Sierra technical initiatives Coach and develop engineering talent, raising JTF Sierra’s overall AI/ML capabilities Qualifications You Must Have: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Math, Statistics, or related STEM field 14+ years of experience in AI/ML or related fields, or 16+ years without a degree Demonstrated mastery of deep learning, reinforcement learning, generative models, and large-scale AI/ML system architecture Proven experience architecting and deploying mission-critical and/or large-scale AI/ML systems Strong proficiency in Python, C++, C#, and/or Java with experience building scalable Machine Learning systems Experience providing technical leadership across teams, projects, or programs Ability to define technical strategies, influence senior stakeholders, and make organization-level architecture decisions In-depth experience with aerospace/defense-relevant regulatory and cybersecurity considerations Demonstrated ability to mentor and grow engineering talent within an organization Qualifications We Prefer: Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in AI/ML or related field Experience applying AI/ML to autonomy, multimodal sensor fusion, or embedded/real-time platforms Experience establishing or scaling ML engineering standard (MLOps, validation frameworks, data management) Expertise with GPU acceleration, CUDA/TensorRT, or parallel computing Publications, patents, or thought leadership in AI/ML Familiarity with edge AI, explainable AI (XAI), or emerging/advanced ML topics Experience translating high-level mission objectives into complex AI/ML system architectures (HMI scenarios, autonomy stacks) Essential Functions: Define and lead complex AI/ML projects across multiple programs Collaborate in a hybrid environment while supporting rapid demonstration timelines Travel 10-30% for R&D, customer and partner engagement, field testing, and conferences This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs. Estimated Starting Salary Range: $165,010.21 - $226,889.04. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors, such as candidates' key skills, relevant work experience, and education/training/certifications. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position. SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more . IMPORTANT NOTICE: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use. Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances. SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We’re known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation’s most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team! SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination. Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.