AI/ML Engineer Level 1

Markon is seeking an AI/ML Engineer to support the Fort Meade Customer. This role focuses on building, training, fine-tuning, evaluating, and deploying advanced language models, with an emphasis on natural language processing (NLP) and multilingual model development. This role will work across the full model development lifecycle and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact, production-ready AI solutions.

Build, train, fine-tune, and optimize machine learning and language models, including multilingual models such as Marian.
• Apply best practices in model training, tuning, optimization, and performance improvement.
• Conduct model evaluation, benchmarking, error analysis, and diagnostics to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Deploy and scale models using cloud-based AI platforms, with emphasis on AWS SageMaker.
• Integrate AI/ML models into production environments, ensuring interoperability with existing systems.
• Support full-stack development for AI-enabled applications, collaborating with front-end and back-end engineers.
• Work with open-source model libraries, deep learning containers, and GPU-accelerated environments.
• Document workflows, model architectures, and technical designs.
• Collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and product teams to translate mission requirements into technical solutions.
• Participate in occasional on-call support, as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI w/ Polygraph with this Customer.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related technical discipline plus 2 years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience developing AI/ML models, particularly language models for NLP applications.
• Proficiency with AI/ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Hugging Face.
• Experience with model training, evaluation, and deployment workflows.
• Experience using AWS services such as SageMaker, EC2, S3, and Lambda.
• Strong programming skills in Java, C, and/or C++.
• Familiarity with GPU technologies, deep learning containers, and model optimization techniques.
• Understanding of full-stack development concepts and system integration.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, mission-focused environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with computational linguistics.
• Experience with Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Experience with model versioning and management tools such as MLflow or Git.
• Familiarity with containerization and orchestration tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience working in a government or defense-related environment.
• Experience with secure data handling and compliance requirements.

Eager to join a team where your skills are valued, your growth is nurtured, and your impact is profound? Look no further than Markon, a premier consulting firm deeply dedicated to advancing our nation's most critical missions.

At Markon, we don't just offer jobs - we offer opportunities for personal and professional transformation. Empowering our employees to lead, innovate, and excel, we foster an environment where new ideas are not just welcomed but celebrated. As a perennial Washington Post Top Workplace, we prioritize the well-being and success of our team members, ensuring they can bring their best selves to work.

Headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, Markon has garnered national recognition for our unwavering dedication to excellence in serving the intelligence community, as well as federal civilian and defense agencies. Our growing reach extends across 17 states, 116 countries, and 5 continents, where our team of dynamic professionals collaborates to deliver unparalleled program and project management services.

Markon values people and the tremendous impact each individual can make - which is why we're consistently recognized as one of the best places to work in federal government consulting. Here, you can help solve the nation's most important challenges, surrounded by colleagues who help you grow, advance, and succeed. We are deeply dedicated to what matters - bringing out the best in each other to advance our clients' missions.

Join us and make a meaningful impact.

Markon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Benefits Offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Training and Tuition Assistance, Paid Time Off, and Holidays.