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The Role
Develop and integrate generative AI and LLM-based capabilities into mission-critical warfare systems. Use AI-augmented engineering tools across the software lifecycle, prototype agent frameworks, and mentor teams on secure AI development. Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to operationalize AI models, build NLP pipelines, and improve developer productivity.
Summary Generated by Built In
About The Role:
Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking an AI-Native Software Engineer to be part of our Warfare Systems team and based out of our Arlington, VA location.
They will develop software in an AI-augmented engineering environment where generative AI tools are used throughout the software lifecycle — including requirements analysis, architecture design, code generation, test creation, debugging, documentation, and system analysis.
This engineer will work within multidisciplinary teams to accelerate delivery, enhance reliability, and operationalize autonomous and intelligent behaviors across complex DoW systems and is ideal for engineers who actively experiment with new AI tools and enjoy discovering faster and more effective ways to build software.
The Warfare Systems business area is one of six mission-critical business units within the IDT organization and is directly responsible for building, testing, and deploying the Navy’s next generation of tactical warfare and weapons systems. As the nation enters the ‘technology-first’ era of warfare, the Warfare Systems group will be responsible for enabling and accelerating the mission-critical tactical capability that is delivered to the warfighter. The Warfare System AI-Native Software Engineer will work with our team of software and systems engineers, building tactically relevant and technically innovative solutions to ensure the highest impact on the US Navy.
Clearance & Location Requirements:
- All applicants must currently possess an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
- This is an on-site position. Requiring at least 3 days in office, based out of our Arlington, VA location.
Key Responsibilities
What You Will Do:
- Use generative AI tools (LLM copilots, autonomous coding agents, AI test generators) as a core part of daily software engineering workflows
- Demonstrate and share AI-enabled engineering techniques that improve team productivity and software quality
- Help define and evolve AI-augmented engineering standards, patterns, and best practices
- Prototype and evaluate emerging AI developer tooling (agent frameworks, code copilots, automated testing agents)
- Mentor engineering teams on effective use of generative AI in development workflows
- Integrate AI Components into Complex DoW Software Environments
- Integrate AI models and services into mission-critical software systems.
- Develop Intelligent Data Processing and NLP Pipelines
- Deliver AI‑Enabled Dashboards, Interfaces, and Insights
- Help identify areas of the software lifecycle that can be accelerated through generative AI and automation.
Who You Are:
Who You Are (Required):
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent full-time professional experience.
- 5-7 years of full-time professional experience
- Ability to travel up to 10% of the time, as needed
- Demonstrated curiosity and experimentation with emerging AI technologies and engineering practices.
- Daily use of generative AI coding tools such as GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Codeium, ChatGPT, Claude, or similar systems
- Experience using LLMs for code generation, debugging, test generation, and documentation automation
- Familiarity with agent-based development workflows and AI-assisted engineering environments
- Experience designing prompt workflows or system prompts to improve developer productivity
- Ability to critically evaluate AI-generated code for correctness, security, and performance
- Strong understanding of AI concepts and practical deployment patterns
- Demonstrated ability to scope requirements for engineering solutions that meet business challenges using AI with measurable outcomes
- Experience in engineering solutions that integrate AI models into production workflows to improve User Experience and productivity
- Understanding of security and compliance considerations when implementing AI solutions, especially in sensitive or classified environments, to support multiple deployment environments
- Understanding of secure software development practices and AI-specific security risks as they pertain to a full SDLC
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to define requirements, scope projects, and deliver solutions independently
- Strong communication skills — ability to collaborate and explain complex concepts to diverse audiences, and synthesize details into actionable recommendations and implementations
- Cross-functional collaboration — builds strong relationships across engineering, security, compliance, etc.
What Makes You Stand Out:
- Experience building AI-augmented developer tooling
- Familiarity with LLM orchestration frameworks (LangChain, LangGraph, Semantic Kernel, etc.)
- Experience integrating AI capabilities into DevSecOps pipelines
- Experience deploying or operating self-hosted LLMs in secure environments
- Proficiency in containerization (Docker, Podman, etc.) and orchestration frameworks (Swarm, Kubernetes, etc.)
- Development, system integration, and test experience with complex DoW systems
- Experience supporting and working with cross-functional teams in a dynamic environment
- Familiarity with US Navy and US Army tactical C2 or sensors such as Aegis, CEC, CAC2S, IBCS, SPY-1, etc. system design is desired
- Experience with creating and configuring Virtual Machines (VMware, VirtualBox, etc.)
- Problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate ambiguous situations
- Excellence in technical communication with peers and non-technical cohorts
- Ability to work closely with Program Managers and Chief Engineers to document, manage and communicate systems and software requirements
- Attention to detail
- Initiative, creativity, reliability, teamwork
- Strong organization and planning skills
- Solid analytical abilities, coupled with a strong sense of ownership, urgency and drive
If you see yourself reflected in this role and are excited about the impact you could make, we encourage you to apply! If you know someone who may be a great fit, please feel free to share this opportunity with your network.
Pay Range*: $114,000 - $184,000 or $135,000 - $231,000
This amount may not be reflective of actual compensation that may be earned as pay is dependent on a candidate’s experience, skills, and education. The posted range does not include bonuses, commissions, tips, or other benefits. IDT is often looking to place multiple candidates at various levels. Therefore, more than one pay range has been included, commensurate with experience.
Job Benefits
Why Work at Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT):
IDT is a growing company with a vibrant, entrepreneurial culture. We are headquartered in Arlington, VA with additional offices in Fall River, MA; Mount Laurel, NJ; and San Diego, CA. At each location, our employees work together in a modern, snack-filled, and social office space, designing innovative solutions for our defense industry customers. We offer employees competitive pay and benefits including:
IDT is a growing company with a vibrant, entrepreneurial culture. We are headquartered in Arlington, VA with additional offices in Fall River, MA; Mount Laurel, NJ; and San Diego, CA. At each location, our employees work together in a modern, snack-filled, and social office space, designing innovative solutions for our defense industry customers. We offer employees competitive pay and benefits including:
- Generous benefits package
- Competitive PTO
- Paid holidays
- 401(k) with immediate vesting and matching
- 9/80 optional schedule (2nd and 4th Friday off every month)
- Tuition Assistance Reimbursement Program
- Professional Development Resources
- Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
- Organization-Wide Monthly Tech Connect Events
- Annual Employee Recognition Awards
- Regular Social Events and Catered Lunches
EEO Statement:
IDT is an Equal Opportunity employer.
About
Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT) is a leading defense technology company focused on rapidly delivering mission-critical software and systems solutions to the U.S. government. The company specializes in automation, digital engineering, and enabling the rapid integration of advanced capabilities into complex weapon and combat systems. These essential solutions empower the warfighter to field, operate, and sustain decisive capability at speed and scale. At IDT, our employees are developing advanced mission-critical outcomes by consistently delivering high-quality results, fostering innovation, applying rigorous problem-solving, and effectively collaborating across multifaceted teams and stakeholders. Grounded in these competencies, IDT translates complex customer priorities into robust software solutions.
Skills Required
- Active Secret U.S. Security Clearance
- On-site position in Arlington, VA (minimum 3 days in office)
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience
- 5-7 years of full-time professional experience
- Ability to travel up to 10% of the time
- Daily use of generative AI coding tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Codeium, ChatGPT, Claude)
- Experience using LLMs for code generation, debugging, test generation, and documentation automation
- Familiarity with agent-based development workflows and AI-assisted engineering environments
- Experience designing prompt workflows or system prompts to improve developer productivity
- Ability to critically evaluate AI-generated code for correctness, security, and performance
- Strong understanding of AI concepts and practical deployment patterns
- Experience integrating AI models and services into production workflows
- Understanding of security and compliance considerations for AI solutions in sensitive or classified environments
- Understanding of secure software development practices and AI-specific security risks across the SDLC
- Strong problem-solving skills; ability to define requirements, scope projects, and deliver independently
- Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across engineering, security, and compliance teams
- Experience building AI-augmented developer tooling
- Familiarity with LLM orchestration frameworks (LangChain, LangGraph, Semantic Kernel)
- Experience integrating AI capabilities into DevSecOps pipelines
- Experience deploying or operating self-hosted LLMs in secure environments
- Proficiency in containerization (Docker, Podman) and orchestration (Swarm, Kubernetes)
- Development, system integration, and test experience with complex defense of the world (DoW) systems
- Familiarity with US Navy and US Army tactical C2 or sensors (Aegis, CEC, CAC2S, IBCS, SPY-1) desired
- Experience creating and configuring Virtual Machines (VMware, VirtualBox)
- Experience mentoring teams and documenting systems and software requirements with program managers and chief engineers
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The Company
What We Do
WHO WE ARE Innovative Defense Technologies -IDT- provides automated software testing, data analysis, and cybersecurity solutions for the DOD's mission-critical systems. Using patented Automated Test and ReTest (ATRT) technology, we support the entire software testing lifecycle from component testing, to system integration and testing, to the analysis of results. Our automated test and analysis solutions enable the rapid update and delivery of large, complex systems. Our technologies offer: -Rapid system configuration assessment and validation -Repeatable, consistent testing, analysis and reporting -On-demand regression tests in response to cyber threats -Statistical rigor in test and analysis -Reduced time and manpower At IDT, we work closely with our customers to tailor our products to support their systems and meet their goals. IDT has the expertise, strategies and processes in place to provide an automated solution for your next project. Let us help you dramatically accelerate test execution time, expand test coverage and improve software quality. OUR MISSION Our mission is to enable new software capabilities to be fielded faster and more affordably by reducing the amount of time and the cost spent on software testing. Through the use of our software testing technology, IDT is changing the way testing is being done for large, complex, software systems.
