Prompt Engineer

Job Description
We are seeking a highly motivated and creative Prompt Engineer with a passion for research to join our Intelligence Solutions Advanced Analytics team. This role will combine the expertise of prompt engineering with the exploration of innovative applications of large language models (LLMs) through Internal Research and Development (IRAD) projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of NLP principles, expertise in crafting effective prompts, and a curiosity for pushing the boundaries of AI-powered communication and problem-solving.
Responsibilities:

• Prompt Engineering:
  • Design, develop, and iterate on prompts for various LLM applications (conversational AI, content generation, summarization, etc.).
  • Experiment with prompt formats, styles, and techniques to optimize LLM performance and output quality.
  • Analyze LLM-generated responses, identify biases or limitations, and implement mitigation strategies.
• IRAD Research:
  • Identify and propose innovative IRAD projects that leverage LLMs to solve complex problems or explore new capabilities.
  • Conduct research, experiment with cutting-edge techniques, and develop prototypes for potential products or services.
  • Collaborate with researchers, engineers, and other stakeholders to advance the state-of-the-art in LLM applications.
  • Present research findings internally and externally, publish papers, and contribute to the AI/ML community.
• Team Collaboration:
  • Work closely with data scientists, machine learning engineers, and other prompt engineers to integrate prompts and research findings into the broader AI/ML pipeline.
  • Share knowledge and best practices with the team, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to a collaborative learning environment.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills
Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in Computer Science, Linguistics, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of NLP fundamentals (language models, text processing, tokenization).
• Experience with Python programming and relevant NLP libraries (e.g., Hugging Face Transformers).
• Proven track record of crafting clear, concise, and effective prompts for LLMs.
• Experience conducting independent research, publishing papers, and presenting at conferences (preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to identify and solve complex problems through innovative solutions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• A passion for AI research and a desire to push the boundaries of LLM capabilities.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Experience with reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) techniques.
• Familiarity with prompt engineering tools and frameworks.
• Contributions to open-source NLP projects.
• Strong understanding of research methodologies and experimental design.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $92290 - $156860
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Intelligence & Security
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
Intelligence & Security (I&S), based in McLean, Virginia, designs and delivers advanced defense, intelligence, and security solutions that support the important missions of our customers. Our pride and dedication shows in everything we do-from intelligence analysis, cyber operations and IT expertise to systems development, systems integration, and operations and maintenance services. Knowing that our work enables the U.S. military and government to recognize, manage and defeat threats inspires us to push ourselves and our technologies to new levels.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
At BAE Systems, we work hard every day to nurture an inclusive culture where employees are valued and feel like they belong. We are conscious of the need for all employees to see themselves reflected at every level of the company and know that in order to unlock the full potential of our workforce, everyone must feel confident being their best, most sincere self and be equipped to thrive. We provide impactful professional development experiences to our employees and invest in social impact partnerships to uplift communities and drive purposeful change. Here you will find significant opportunities to do meaningful work in an environment intentionally designed to be one where you will learn, grow and belong.