Principal AI/ML Data Scientist (Systems Architecture, Senior Associate)

Principal AI/ML Data Scientist (Systems Architecture, Senior Associate)

Position Location

Reston, VA

Travel

None

Required Qualifications

• 20+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, data engineering, distributed systems, cloud architecture, or AI/ML platform development.
• Proven experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale AI, machine learning, generative AI, or Agentic AI solutions.
• Demonstrated success architecting and implementing production cloud-native data systems supporting advanced analytics and AI workloads.
• Proven experience working within complex enterprise environments managing security, infrastructure, technology dependencies, governance requirements, and competing priorities.
• Extensive experience designing data pipelines supporting machine learning models, vector databases, semantic search capabilities, and generative AI applications.
• Proven experience delivering complex technical solutions from strategic requirements through operational deployment while balancing schedule, performance, capability, and cost objectives.
• Technical Expertise:
• Expert proficiency in Python, SQL, and modern software engineering practices.
• Deep experience with Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud data and AI platforms.
• Strong understanding of distributed systems, cloud-native architectures, MLOps, and AI platform engineering.
• Experience implementing vector databases, embedding pipelines, retrieval systems, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation architectures.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, orchestration platforms, infrastructure automation, and observability tooling.
• Communication & Leadership:
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to explain AI, machine learning, and data architecture concepts in terms of mission impact, operational outcomes, technical risk, and implementation tradeoffs.
• Experience influencing decisions and driving consensus among diverse technical and business stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience serving as a Principal Engineer, Lead Data Engineer, Solution Architect, or Technical Lead.
• Experience building and operating enterprise-scale vector search, RAG, knowledge management, and LLM-based platforms.
• Hands-on experience with large-scale distributed data processing frameworks.
• Experience leading engineering teams and mentoring junior and mid-level engineers.
• Experience supporting AI adoption efforts within large government, defense, intelligence, or highly regulated organizations.
• Familiarity with AI governance, model evaluation frameworks, explainability, and responsible AI implementation practices.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative discipline. Equivalent additional experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

• Clearance

• All applicants for this position must currently possess a Top Secret/SCI with CI Polygraph clearance; please note that the clearance process takes into account financial background aspects.

Compensation

The MIL Corporation values your contributions and offers a range of benefits to support your overall well-being. We are pleased to offer a comprehensive range of benefits to our full-time employees which include health, life, disability, and retirement plans, as well as paid time off, opportunities for professional growth and tuition assistance. Additional benefits and incentives may also apply, which will be communicated during the hiring process.

For this position, the projected compensation range is $190,000 - $245,000 per year. This estimate represents the typical salary range and is just one part of MIL’s complete compensation package. Final salary for this position is determined based on factors such as individual qualifications, education, experience, and contractual limitations. Learn more on the MIL Careers page.

Why MIL?

The MIL Corporation (MIL) is a dynamic workforce of industry professionals who deliver world-class solutions in cyber, engineering, financial management, and information technology – and we are looking for candidates like you! MIL offers opportunities for professionals at all stages of their careers, from early-career candidates to experienced industry professionals. We are known for a collaborative, people-first culture where employees are supported, valued, and encouraged to grow. This commitment to our people and our work is reflected in the industry and workplace awards MIL has received over the years.

• 2021 - 2024, Top Workplaces USA award (Energage)
• 2017 - 2025 Top Workplaces Award, Greater Washington Area (The Washington Post)
• 2018 - 2025 Certified Great Workplace, Great Place to Work
• 2021 - 2025, Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services
• 2021 Fortune Best Workplaces for Millennials
• 2018 Fortune, Great Place to Work: Best Place to Work for Diversity
• 2017, 2020 - 2025 Top Workplace Award, South Carolina (Greenville Business Magazine, Columbia Business Monthly, and Charleston Business Magazine)
• 2025 Corporate Partnership Award, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Maryland Chapter
• 2025 Moxie Award, GovCon Category
• 2024 Patriot Award, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Department of Defense
• 2022 Freedom Award, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Department of Defense
• 2018, Above & Beyond Award, Employer