Remote AI Software Engineer

Description:

• Anika Systems is a technology solutions firm focused on guiding federal agencies in solving complex business challenges and preparing for the future.
• The company specializes in AI Strategy, Data Intelligence, AI & Machine Learning, Intelligent Automation, Enterprise Platforms, and Engineering, with a focus on National Security and Federal Financial programs.
• The AI Software Engineer will translate emerging research into production-ready Generative AI capabilities to enhance federal agencies' public service.
• The role involves owning the full lifecycle from ideation and prototyping to cloud deployment and MLOps within a collaborative team of engineers, data scientists, and domain experts.
• Key responsibilities include researching, designing, and developing production-grade Generative AI and intelligent automation solutions using LLMs, RAG pipelines, and vector databases.
• The engineer will lead end-to-end development, including data collection/cleansing, model finetuning, evaluation, optimization, containerization, and secure cloud deployment (Azure/AWS).
• Responsibilities also include implementing LLMOps/MLOps pipelines for automated testing, bias detection, monitoring, and rollback.
• The engineer will apply Responsible AI principles and federal compliance standards throughout the solution lifecycle.
• The role requires translating vague mission requirements into technical designs and iterating quickly with stakeholders through agile ceremonies and rapid prototyping.
• The engineer will contribute to the VITAL Innovation Lab roadmap by identifying research topics, publishing internal white papers, and presenting at communities of practice.
• The position is currently remote, but there may be future changes to work location expectations based on client directives or company policies.
• Candidates must be U.S. Citizens with the ability to obtain and maintain a government suitability clearance.

Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Computational Linguistics, or a related field is required; a Master’s degree is a bonus.
• Candidates should have 1-3+ years of professional experience building and shipping ML or NLP systems, particularly focusing on LLM-based or Generative AI solutions.
• Expertise in Python and strong software engineering fundamentals, including data structures, algorithms, testing, CI/CD, Git, and containers, are required.
• Hands-on experience with modern ML/LLM tooling such as PyTorch or TensorFlow, LangChain, LangGraph, and vector databases like Pinecone, Azure AI Search, or FAISS is necessary.
• Proven experience deploying workloads to Azure (preferred), AWS, or another major cloud provider is required.
• Familiarity with DevOps/Infrastructure as Code tools such as GitHub Actions, Terraform/Bicep, and Docker/Kubernetes is essential.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are necessary, with the ability to explain complex concepts to nontechnical audiences.
• An aspiration to develop leadership and team management skills is considered a bonus.

Benefits:

• The position offers the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative environment with a focus on innovative technology solutions.
• Employees will have the chance to contribute to significant projects that enhance the missions of government clients.
• The role provides opportunities for professional growth and development within the VITAL Innovation Lab.
• The company supports research and development initiatives, allowing employees to engage in cutting-edge technology.
• Remote work flexibility is currently available, with potential for future adjustments communicated in advance.