Lead Generative AI Engineer

What you'll work on

• Lead technical architecture and decision‑making for complex GenAI engagements.
• Deliver production‑ready AI applications—including RAG, conversational AI, and agentic systems—under tight timelines.
• Implement advanced GenAI patterns using vector databases, orchestration frameworks, and managed AI services with strong observability, security, and optimization.
• Integrate LLM APIs and AI services into existing workflows across cloud and on‑prem environments; design responsible AI guardrails and evaluation frameworks.
• Conduct hands‑on training, documentation, and mentorship to ensure sustainable knowledge transfer.
• Maintain and expand reusable AI solution templates and technical standards.
• Validate program team readiness for independent AI operations.
• Experiment with emerging AI tools and share findings through demos, documentation, and discussions.

What we're looking for

Required:

• 10+ years software engineering with expert Python and strong JavaScript; experience building and maintaining complex production systems using modern development workflows.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related major.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret clearance.
• Deep experience developing LLM applications, including agentic patterns, RAG, context engineering, vector databases, observability, evaluation, and cost/quality optimization.
• Proven ability to architect complex AI systems, make build‑vs‑buy decisions, and balance cost, latency, quality, and security.
• Strong AI operations skills: monitoring, mitigating failure modes, and implementing responsible AI practices.
• Expert API integration skills and distributed system design.
• Proficiency with major cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP), containerization, CI/CD, IaC concepts, and security best practices.
• Solid ML fundamentals, especially as applied to LLM systems.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, mentorship, and ability to operate in ambiguous, fast‑paced environments.
• Exceptional communication, documentation, and knowledge‑transfer capabilities.
• Pragmatic delivery mindset with strong architectural judgment.
• High fluency with AI tools and continuous learning in GenAI advancements.
• Expertise with GitLab, Jira, and agile workflows.

Desired:

• Experience leading production agentic systems using frameworks like Agno, LangGraph, CrewAI, or OpenAI Agents; strong familiarity with observability platforms and vector DBs.
• Depth in AWS/Azure AI services, Kubernetes, Terraform, and CI/CD automation.
• Full‑stack proficiency for building end‑to‑end AI applications.
• Consulting or multi‑project delivery experience with strong client‑facing capabilities.
• Federal/DoD experience with security and compliance frameworks.
• Community leadership through open‑source, writing, or speaking.
• Relevant certifications (Security+, AWS, etc.).