Machine Learning Engineer

Description

The DarkStar Group, a GRVTY Company is seeking a Machine Learning Engineer with a TS/SCI + Poly clearance (applicable to this customer) to join one of our top projects in Herndon, VA. Below is an overview of the project, as well as information on our company and our benefits.

THE PROJECT

The DarkStar Group's team is charged with taking commercial and academic innovation high-side, in domains of Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI / ML) such as Computer Vision (Image and Video Processing), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Audio Modeling. We also bring the best ideas, tools, and approaches in technology infrastructure (AWS, DevOps, etc.) to the IC. The tech stack used is extremely broad - anything cutting edge in the commercial market, the open source community, or the academic research community is likely involved: and if something isn't being looked at yet, you can make that happen.

This effort supports ALL missions of the Intelligence Community, including cyber-related data science missions. A seamless group of contractor and customer personnel work to create innovations that supply customer groups with the data sets, models, algorithms, software, and infrastructure they need to increase their mission success. Management is hands off, gives the team the freedom to explore new approaches, and markets the best ideas and results to all the other IC customers.

This project regularly needs various types of people - Data Scientists, Data / ETL Engineers, Analytic Software Engineers, Full Stack Developers, UI/UX Developers, and AWS/DevOps experts. We're particularly interested in people with any of the following experience:

• developing AI / ML models (neural networks, tree based algorithms, etc.);
• conducting data analysis in the fields of Computer Vision, NLP, or audio signal processing;
• doing data ingest and ETL into sponsor environments; or
• building data-analytic software systems.

Work on this program takes place throughout the Reston/Herndon/Chantilly, VA area (we cannot support remote work) and requires a TS/SCI + Poly clearance (acceptable to this customer). The Role

In this role, the candidate will work with other data scientists, software developers, and SMEs to apply the best practices and state of the art data science and machine learning processes. The candidate will develop rapid prototype solutions to mission challenges by leveraging existing open-source models and technologies. Sample topic areas may include object detection, data triage, search/optimization, image/video analysis, facial recognition, behavior detection, and automated discovery.

Required Skills

• Experience developing and using agentic AI frameworks including Autogen.
• Experience with prompt engineering beyond traditional code writing and debugging. Understanding of how to craft prompts for discrete tasks such as data labeling and processing.
• Experience with asynchronous Python development using frameworks like Ray and FastAPI.
• Experience developing and deploying AI/ML models as part of production systems, implementing software development best practices for scalability and reliability.
• Experience developing and applying advanced machine learning methods including clustering, regression, optimization, recommender engines, and artificial neural networks.
• Deploying models into multi-node Ray clusters utilizing various GPU resources.
• Experience with developing and deploying resources to cloud environments.
• Experience working in Linux and Windows environments and managing resources for efficiency.

Why Choose The DarkStar Group, a GRVTY Company

The DarkStar Group, a GRVTY Company, started with a simple, American idea: we do things not because they are easy but because they are hard. The DarkStar Group, a GRVTY Company, exists to answer challenges. We do it for customers in defense, intelligence, homeland security—anyone whose job it is to advance America’s strategic position. The size of the challenge we face demands new skills, new backgrounds, and new thinking. That’s what we’re here to deliver. And when you work shoulder to shoulder with brilliant people tackling the most high-stakes challenges, it’s invigorating. Our culture is built on collaboration, mission-focused innovation, and a commitment to excellence, where every challenge we answer opens the door to a new possibility.

The toughest national security challenges demand vision and ingenuity, not just resources. We deliver mission and technical expertise to outpace our adversaries. We’re purpose-built to tackle the most entrenched, systemic national security issues around the world.

We partner with our customers to help them overcome challenges in every corner of technology and defense—including the ones still being explored. Our growing capabilities create complementary advantages, giving on-the-ground operations the edge they need to succeed. We muster everything we have to answer every challenge presented, every day of our lives.

At The DarkStar Group, a GRVTY Company, we believe that when our employees thrive, our company thrives. That’s why we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance.

• Robust health plan including medical, dental, and vision
• Health Savings Account with company contribution
• Annual Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401k with generous company match
• Training and Development Opportunities
• Award Programs
• Variety of Company Sponsored Events

The DarkStar Group, A GRVTY Company, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodations should email ds_recruiting@grvty.com or call 703-544-7930 with requested details.  A member of the HR team will respond to your request within 2 business days. Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal