Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Salary: $136,100 - 252,800 per year Requirements: We require a bachelors degree in computer science, engineering, data science, information systems, or a related discipline, or equivalent hands-on experience. We expect substantial professional software engineering experience, including delivery of production applications or platforms. We need practical experience building AI, machine learning, or other data-intensive solutions. We look for strong Python skills, along with experience using APIs, cloud services, data pipelines, software development practices, and source control. We value experience with modern generative AI approaches such as large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, embeddings, vector search, tool use, structured outputs, or AI agents. We expect understanding of cloud-native architecture, systems integration, identity and access management, observability, and secure development practices. We need the ability to assess technical options and explain architecture decisions and tradeoffs. We look for experience collaborating across product, engineering, data, security, and business teams. We require strong written and verbal communication skills. We require the ability to meet applicable government background, suitability, or contractual conditions. We expect security, privacy, accessibility, explainability, auditability, and human oversight to be incorporated into solution design. We need experience establishing evaluation methods for accuracy, relevance, groundedness, bias, safety, and reliability. We expect the ability to design controls for model and prompt versioning, data lineage, access management, logging, monitoring, and traceability. We value experience partnering with cybersecurity, legal, privacy, compliance, and governance teams throughout the solution lifecycle. We require solutions that align with applicable organizational policies, contractual obligations, and government requirements. We expect human-in-the-loop controls to be designed according to the risk and impact of AI-supported decisions. Preferred experience includes delivering technology solutions for U.S. federal, state, or local government customers. Preferred experience includes working in government contracting, regulated environments, or programs involving sensitive data. Familiarity with NIST, FedRAMP, FISMA, or agency-specific control frameworks is preferred. Experience with major cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud is preferred. Experience with AI orchestration frameworks, model gateways, vector databases, evaluation platforms, MLOps, or LLMOps is preferred. Preferred background includes model evaluation, prompt engineering, fine-tuning, data governance, and responsible AI practices. Experience moving AI proofs of concept into production is preferred. Experience supporting technical proposals, RFIs, RFPs, solution demonstrations, or customer workshops is preferred. Prior technical leadership, mentoring, or architecture review experience is preferred. Relevant cloud, architecture, security, data, or AI certifications are preferred. You must be a U.S. citizen. You must be able to pass a background investigation and obtain Public Trust security clearance. You must be located near Horsham, PA for a hybrid onsite schedule. Responsibilities: We design, prototype, and implement AI-powered applications, services, agents, and workflows. We translate business, user, and government mission needs into practical technical solutions. We develop solutions using large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and other relevant AI technologies. We build reusable AI components, services, APIs, evaluation frameworks, and reference implementations. We integrate AI capabilities with enterprise platforms, data sources, workflows, and existing applications. We balance rapid experimentation with the engineering discipline needed for secure, reliable production systems. We evaluate models, platforms, frameworks, and vendors based on performance, cost, security, scalability, and mission fit. We contribute to solution architectures spanning applications, models, data, integrations, infrastructure, security, and operational monitoring. We partner with senior architects to define AI architecture patterns, guardrails, standards, and reference architectures. We help teams decide between commercial, open-source, and internally developed AI capabilities. We identify opportunities for shared AI services and reusable capabilities across products, contracts, and government agencies. We participate in architecture reviews and document technical decisions, tradeoffs, assumptions, and risks. We provide technical guidance, code reviews, mentoring, and hands-on support to engineering and data science teams. We grow into ownership of end-to-end AI solution architecture and broader technical strategy. We support technical discovery sessions, demonstrations, proofs of concept, proposals, RFIs, and RFP responses. We communicate complex AI concepts, limitations, risks, and tradeoffs clearly to technical and non-technical audiences. We help move successful prototypes into secure, supportable, and scalable production capabilities. We stay current on evolving government AI policies, standards, acquisition practices, and responsible AI expectations. Technologies: AI AI Agents AWS Architect Azure Cloud Computer Vision Fine-tuning Support Machine Learning MLOps Python Security More: We are partnering with LexisNexis Reed Technology, which has worked for more than 50 years with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to deliver secure, scalable, high-quality patent data processing solutions. Our team turns complex patent submissions into standardized, searchable outputs that support examiner workflows and public access. We operate in a highly regulated environment with large data volumes, strict security expectations, and complex business rules, and we are modernizing legacy workflows through automation, AI, and platform transformation. This Principal AI Engineer role is a hands-on opportunity to help shape secure AI capabilities while growing toward a broader AI Architect position. We offer flexible hours, wellbeing initiatives, shared parental leave, study assistance, sabbaticals, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, wellness and time-off programs, family support, spending accounts, volunteer time, and an annual incentive bonus. The role is based near Horsham, PA with a hybrid onsite schedule, and the national base pay range is $136,100 to $252,800, with possible geographic differentials. last updated 40 week of 2026