Machine Learning Engineer in Chantilly, Virginia at Next Tier Concepts

We are seeking a Machine Learning Engineer with a passion for building mission-critical capabilities to join our talent network. Working at NT Concepts means that you are part of an innovative, agile company dedicated to solving the most critical challenges in National Security. If meaningful work, initiative, creativity, and continuous self-improvement are important to your career, explore What's Next with us.

Mission Focus: Our machine learning teams bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI research and operational government missions. We are looking for engineers who can take machine learning and Computer Vision (CV) solutions from early research and prototyping all the way into stable, scalable production environments.

In this role, you will help design, build, and deploy automated ML workflows that directly support national security analysts and operators. We embrace modern agile practices, a DataOps/DevSecOps/MLOps ethos to "automate-first," and modern cloud-native architectures.

Clearance: Active TS/SCI required (CI Polygraph preferred or must be eligible to obtain)

Location/Flexibility: Vienna, VA / Chantilly, VA (Hybrid / Flexible Remote options available)

Responsibilities

• Prototype to Production: Support the full machine learning lifecycle, taking computer vision models from experimentation and notebooks into containerized, high-throughput production microservices.
• Mission Alignment: Work closely with mission partners, domain experts, and technical teams to understand real-world operational challenges and translate them into practical ML requirements.
• MLOps & Pipeline Automation: Build, maintain, and optimize robust pipelines for data preparation, model training, validation, versioning, deployment, and monitoring using modern tools (such as MLflow, Kubeflow, and GitLab CI/CD).
• Model Development & Tuning: Train, fine-tune, and evaluate deep learning algorithms for computer vision tasks (e.g., object detection, classification, segmentation, tracking).
• System Integration: Collaborate with cross-functional software engineers and cloud architects to integrate ML models cleanly into larger enterprise systems and secure cloud infrastructures.
• Optimization & Governance: Optimize inference performance, apply secure coding practices, and monitor models for drift and reliability once deployed.

Qualifications

• Clearance: Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Hands-On Experience: Demonstrated professional experience developing, testing, and deploying machine learning models into real-world or production environments.
• Deep Learning & CV: Strong programming skills in Python and hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks (primarily PyTorch, OpenCV, TensorFlow, or NumPy).
• ML Lifecycle & MLOps: Practical familiarity with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and ML lifecycle/pipeline platforms (e.g., MLflow, Kubeflow, AWS SageMaker).
• Cloud & DevOps Foundations: Familiarity working in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and modern development practices (Git, CI/CD pipelines, Agile methodologies).
• Customer & Mission Mindset: Ability to understand the end-user's mission objectives, iterate based on user feedback, and clearly communicate technical approaches.

Preferred / Desired Skills:

• Experience working within secure, air-gapped, or classified cloud environments (e.g., AWS GovCloud / C2S).
• Experience with synthetic data generation techniques or multi-modal models.
• Exposure to Large Language Models (LLMs) or generative AI workflows.
• Familiarity with distributed model training and GPU resource management.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 1015 pounds at times.

#JT

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in the Washington DC Metro area, NT Concepts is a private, mid-tier company with clients spanning the Intelligence and Defense communities. We deliver end-to-enddata and technology solutionsthat advance the modernization, transformation, and automation of the national security missionsolutions with real impact developed in a strong engineering culture that encourages technical growth, leadership, and creative big idea problem-solving.

Employees are the core of NT Concepts. We understand that world-changing concepts happen in collaborative environments. We are a company where talented teams work together using innovation and expertise to solve our clients most critical challenges. Here, youll gain competitive benefits, opportunities to bolster your skills and develop new abilities, and a company culture dedicated to support and service. In addition to our benefits program, we encourage our employees to take part in #NTC_GivesBack, which paves the way for positive social change.

If joining a stable company with strong professional growth opportunities resonates with you, and you seek vital, mission-driven projects (for some pretty cool clients) that use your specific talents, wed love to have you move forward with us.