Next-Gen AI/ML Systems Engineer - Data Fusion & Sense-Making
Within Peraton's Space and Mission Solutions sector, there is an immediate need for a cleared AI (Artificial Intelligence) Data Fusion & Sense-Making emergent technologist to advance our artificial intelligence and data analytics capabilities across the US Intelligence and Space Community portfolio. This is a full-time, on-site position based in Reston, VA with the ability to support from other Peraton facilities in Chantilly, Reston, and/or Herndon with flexibility to travel to customer sites for classified and non-classified solution activities.
As a Next-Gen Technology Engineer (NTE), reporting directly to the Sector CTO, you will be the organization's expert on leveraging artificial intelligence to transform disparate data sources into actionable intelligence. You will bring a broad, strategic view of AI applications, understanding not just what AI can do, but where and how it should be applied to maximize mission impact. Your expertise in AI testing, validation, and responsible AI practices will ensure our solutions are trustworthy and operationally effective.
This role is designed for professionals who combine deep AI/ML (Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning) technical skills with practical defense sector experience. You understand that AI adoption in government requires more than technical excellence—it demands rigorous testing, explainability, and alignment with customer missions and constraints.
What you’ll do:
- Lead the design of AI-enabled data fusion solutions that integrate multi-source intelligence (SIGINT, GEOINT, HUMINT, OSINT, etc) into coherent, actionable insights for government proposals
- Develop AI/ML architectures for data management, optimization, and sense-making that address customer-specific mission requirements
- Establish and apply AI testing and validation frameworks to ensure solution reliability, explainability, and compliance with responsible AI principles
- Maintain broad awareness of AI landscape—from foundation models to specialized ML techniques—and translate capabilities into practical mission applications
- Create AI adoption roadmaps that account for customer readiness, data maturity, and organizational change management requirements
- Collaborate with business development, capture teams, and program managers to identify AI opportunities and develop differentiated technical solutions
- Infuse existing programs with AI capabilities where appropriate, working within operational and security constraints to demonstrate value incrementally
- Mentor, train, and/or educate technical staff on AI/ML fundamentals, testing practices, and application strategies, building organizational AI literacy
- Articulate AI solutions, their limitations, and mission impact to senior leadership, customers, and governance review boards
Required Qualifications:
- A minimum of 5+ years of experience with a BS/BA in Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, or related field; or 3+ years with MS/MA in Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, or related field; or 1+ PhD with relevant AI/ML research.
- This position requires the candidate to possess a minimum of Secret clearance with the ability to obtain TS/SCI. The candidate must maintain the clearance.
- Demonstrated expertise in AI/ML techniques for data fusion, integration, or analytics—including experience with multiple data modalities
- Hands-on experience with AI testing, validation, and evaluation methodologies
- Broad understanding of AI landscape including supervised/unsupervised learning, deep learning, NLP, computer vision, and foundation models
- Working knowledge of data management practices, data pipelines, and data quality considerations for AI systems
- Exposure to defense or intelligence community environments and understanding of unique AI adoption challenges in classified settings
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to explain AI concepts and limitations to non-technical audiences
- Pragmatic approach to AI—understanding that not all problems require AI solutions and that customer readiness varies significantly
- Full-time on-site availability with ability to collaborate across technical, business development, and program teams
Desired Qualifications:
- An active/current TS/SCI is highly desired
- Direct experience supporting NRO, NGA, USSF, DIA, NASA, or NOAA missions and programs
- Knowledge of responsible AI frameworks, AI ethics, and bias mitigation techniques
- Familiarity with MLOps practices, model monitoring, and AI system lifecycle management
- Experience with AI development platforms and frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face, etc.)
- Relevant certifications or credentials in AI/ML, data science, or analytics
- Experience contributing to proposals with AI/ML technical components
- Graduate coursework or research publications in AI/ML, data fusion, or related fields
Benefits:
At Peraton, our benefits are designed to help keep you at your best beyond the work you do with us daily. We’re fully committed to the growth of our employees. From fully comprehensive medical plans to tuition reimbursement, tuition assistance, and fertility treatment, we are there to support you all the way.
#SPACENEXTGEN
Peraton OverviewPeraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.
Target Salary Range$104,000 - $166,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, or related field with at least 5 years of experience
- Alternatively, master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, or related field with at least 3 years of experience
- Alternatively, PhD with relevant AI/ML research experience
- Minimum Secret security clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret/SCI and maintain the clearance
- Expertise in AI/ML techniques for data fusion, integration, or analytics across multiple data modalities
- Hands-on experience with AI testing, validation, and evaluation methodologies
- Understanding of supervised and unsupervised learning, deep learning, NLP, computer vision, and foundation models
- Working knowledge of data management, data pipelines, and data quality for AI systems
- Experience or exposure to defense or intelligence community environments and classified AI adoption challenges
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for explaining AI concepts to nontechnical audiences
- Pragmatic understanding of when AI solutions are appropriate and how customer readiness varies
- Full-time onsite availability and ability to collaborate across technical, business development, and program teams
- Active or current TS/SCI clearance
- Experience supporting NRO, NGA, USSF, DIA, NASA, or NOAA missions
- Knowledge of responsible AI frameworks, AI ethics, and bias mitigation
- Familiarity with MLOps, model monitoring, and AI lifecycle management
- Experience with PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face, or similar AI development platforms
- Relevant AI/ML, data science, or analytics certifications
- Experience contributing to AI/ML technical proposals
- Graduate coursework or research publications in AI/ML or data fusion
Peraton Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Peraton and has not been reviewed or approved by Peraton.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare offerings are described as broad, including medical, dental, vision, mental health support, and specialty programs like virtual physical therapy and surgical/cancer care navigation. Medical coverage is also characterized as a standout part of the overall package in terms of perceived quality.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) with employer matching and is repeatedly positioned as a strong component of total rewards. The 401(k) benefit is frequently singled out as one of the most valued parts of the package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off benefits are positioned as robust, including PTO, holidays, paid sick days, and floating holidays, with some roles offering notably generous accrual. Leave breadth is reinforced by related programs such as short/long-term disability and bereavement leave.
Peraton Insights
What We Do
Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.
Why Work With Us
We are fearlessly solving the world’s most complex challenges to keep people safe and secure. You can be a part of protecting and promoting that freedom around the world.
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