AI/ML Engineer (TS/SCI with Poly)

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what's happening now and shape what's coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters-where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world.
To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Person, defined as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, Asylee, or Refugee.
Note on Cleared Roles: If this position requires an active U.S. Government security clearance, applicants who do not currently hold the required clearance will not be eligible for consideration. Employment for cleared roles is contingent upon verification of clearance status.
Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
Please review the job details below.
This position requires an active U.S. Government Security Clearance at the TS/SCI level with required Polygraph.
This role is part of an R&D team, focused on prototyping and experimenting with cutting-edge technologies and AI. You'll work in a fast-moving environment, applying modern approaches to Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), large language models (LLMs), and related technologies to solve complex problems.
Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and prototype solutions leveraging RAG models and LLMs
• Build and iterate on proof-of-concept applications to explore emerging technologies
• Implement and integrate with RESTful APIs for retrieving and exchanging data
• Work with Postgres to store, query, and manage data for AI/ML applications
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers to evaluate approaches, document findings, and recommend next steps
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing within the team on AI/ML advancements and experimental outcomes

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current/active TS/SCI security clearance with required Polygraph.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field (Computer Science, mathematics, statistics, etc.). Relevant professional experience may be substituted for a degree.
• 8+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong proficiency in Python
• Experience developing and implementing RAG models and working with large language models (LLMs)
• Experience working with RESTful APIs for retrieving and exchanging data
• Strong experience with Postgres (schema design, querying, performance optimization)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Exposure to or interest in geospatial data and technologies
• Experience with data pipelines or vector databases for AI/ML applications
• Familiarity with cloud environments (AWS, GCP, or Azure) for building prototypes

Pay Transparency: In support of pay transparency at Vantor, we disclose salary ranges on all U.S. job postings. The successful candidate's starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skillsets for the position should not expect to receive the upper end of the pay range.
• The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $137,000.00 - $228,000.00 annually.
For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.
Benefits: Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life. You can find more information on our benefits at: https://www.Vantor.com/careers
The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.
The date of posting can be found on Vantor's Career page at the top of each job posting.
To apply, submit your application via Vantor's Career page.
EEO Policy: Vantor is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We believe in fostering an environment where all team members feel respected, valued, and encouraged to share their ideas. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.