AI Engineer

How We're Different

We believe the highest-impact work in national security and technology is a team sport. At Aperio Global, we operate as a single, cohesive force aligned on a handful of mission-critical efforts where our work truly moves the needle. We don't chase small wins. We solve for next.

We view the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data analytics as an empirical discipline as rigorous and consequential as any field in science or engineering. That means we bring intellectual honesty, accountability, and transparency to every problem we take on. Our team includes tech innovators, Intelligence Community veterans, and security professionals who know that the best solutions come from diverse minds working toward a common mission. We value our people, those working quietly behind the scenes, doing the hard work that keeps our nation secure.

The best way to understand how we think is to see what we've built. From full-spectrum cyber operations and de-biased AI platforms to quantum networking and cloud-native software systems, our work speaks for itself.

Come solve with us

We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package — including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, generous paid time off, short and long-term disability, professional development, and much more. We invest in our people because they are our most important asset — and because the mission demands the best.

AI Engineers - Multiple Levels (SWE2 / SWE3)

TS SCI + Poly

Linthicum Heights, MD

About the Role:

Aperio Global is seeking motivated AI Engineers across multiple experience levels to support our AI & Emerging Technologies (AI&ET) mission. Engineers at all levels will work closely with mission stakeholders to capture requirements, aid in structured planning, and improve the certification process by introducing AI/ML tooling.

You will use AI/ML to develop tools and techniques — including fine-tuning Large Language Models (LLMs) — that assist in enhanced vulnerability identification and mitigation capabilities. This role sits at the intersection of applied AI research and national security, deploying cutting-edge tooling within classified secure enclaves.

Mission Focus:

* Design, develop, and maintain LLM orchestration frameworks that coordinate static analyzers, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems, and automated testing pipelines

* Develop and optimize data preprocessing pipelines to ingest, clean, transform, and vectorize product documentation, source code, and test results for LLM consumption

* Design and implement database solutions to support RAG architectures, artifact storage, audit trails, and metadata management

Technical Proficiency:

* Collaborate with systems engineers to architect and deploy networked AI tools within secure enclaves

* Conduct performance profiling, optimization, and scalability analysis of mission systems

* Support security assessments and Authority to Operate (ATO) processes

* Collaborate closely with technical leadership on system design decisions and roadmap planning

What We're Looking For:

All candidates must meet the following requirements:

* Bachelor's degree plus 5 years (SWE2) or 8 years (SWE3) of relevant experience, or equivalent

* Proficiency in Python, LLM integration, and data engineering

* Experience with static analyzers and RAG frameworks

* Experience with both relational and vector databases

* Familiarity with Agile methodologies, Git, Jira, and Confluence

* Active TS/SCI + Polygraph

Nice to Have

* Familiarity with Rust

* Experience with Claude Code or OpenAI Codex

* CI/CD pipeline design and maintenance

* Hands-on experience deploying AI tools within classified or air-gapped environments

* Performance profiling and scalability optimization in networked AI systems

About The Mission

The AI & Emerging Technologies (AI&ET) team is at the forefront of applying artificial intelligence to national security challenges. Our engineers work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment on problems that directly impact mission outcomes. We value intellectual curiosity, technical depth, and a commitment to responsible AI development.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

How to Apply:

Submit your application through this posting. Please include:

* Resume highlighting relevant AI/ML and software engineering experience

* Current clearance level and polygraph status

* Desired level (SWE2 or SWE3), or indicate open to both

Level-Experience:

AI Engineer (SWE2) — Mid-level Bachelor's + 5 years

$127,000-$147,000

Senior AI Engineer (SWE3) — Senior Bachelor's + 8 years

$180,000 – $200,000

Benefits

At Aperio Global, we understand the value of investing in our most important asset—our employees. That's why we have crafted a comprehensive benefits package designed to help you make the best decision for yourself, your family and your lifestyle. For additional details, contact our talent acquisition team.

* Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

* Retirement Plan (401k, IRA) with 100% employer match up to 6%

* Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)

* Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)

* Short Term & Long Term Disability

* Professional Development

* (and much more)

Aperio Global is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive workforce where all employees and applicants are treated with respect and fairness. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs — never on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy/childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ethnicity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.