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The Role
Develops and integrates AI-enabled solutions that improve productivity, automation, and decision-making across engineering and business functions. Responsibilities include researching AI tools, prototyping and deploying solutions, integrating capabilities into workflows and CI/CD processes, supporting adoption, and advising on emerging technologies. The role collaborates with engineering, security, compliance, and business teams while ensuring solutions meet security requirements for sensitive and classified environments.
Summary Generated by Built In
About The Role:
Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking a Senior AI Solutions Engineer to be part of our Missile Defense team and based out of our Mount Laurel, NJ, Arlington, VA or San Diego, CA locations.
Clearance & Location Requirements:
- All applicants must be able to obtain/maintain an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
- This is an on-site position. Requiring at least 5 days in office, based out of our San Diego, CA location.
Key Responsibilities
What You Will Do:
- Apply AI technologies to improve productivity, decision-making, and automation across engineering and business functions
- Research, evaluate, and prototype AI tools, frameworks, and platforms to address internal operational challenges
- Implement practical AI-enabled solutions that integrate into existing workflows and systems
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders across engineering, security, program management, and business teams to understand problems and deliver impactful solutions
- Integrate AI capabilities into existing development and operational processes while ensuring usability, reliability, and maintainability
- Support internal adoption of AI technologies by providing guidance, demonstrations, and knowledge sharing
- Guide the organization on emerging AI trends, platforms, and best practices
- Work closely with security and compliance teams to ensure AI solutions meet relevant policies and regulations, particularly in sensitive and classified environments
- Continuously evaluate and refine AI adoption strategies to align with evolving business needs and technology landscapes
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
Who You Are (Required):
- 7+ years of professional software or technical experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to travel up to 10% as needed
- Strong understanding and experience in applying of modern AI technologies—particularly large language models (LLMs), generative AI tools, and AI-assisted development workflows—and practical approaches for integrating them into real-world systems
- Lead designing and implementing technical solutions that leverage AI technologies to improve productivity, automation, or decision-making
- Ability to rapidly prototype and evaluate new technologies to determine their potential value to the organization
- Understanding of secure software development practices and AI-specific security considerations
- Familiarity working within environments that require strong security and compliance controls
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to independently define requirements, scope initiatives, and deliver practical solutions
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate across engineering, security, compliance, and business teams
- Comfortable balancing innovation with security, compliance, and operational constraints
What Makes You Stand Out:
- Knowledge of Naval tactical systems like Aegis, SSDS, SLQ-32, or other similar systems
- Familiarity with MLOps practices such as model lifecycle management, monitoring, and CI/CD integration
- Experience integrating AI capabilities into DevSecOps or CI/CD pipelines
- Hands-on experience deploying AI-enabled tools or applications into production environments
- Experience working with generative AI technologies, large language models, or natural language processing tools
- Knowledge of NIST 800-53, DISA STIGs and Risk Management Framework processes, or other compliance frameworks specifically on AI systems
- Experience working in defense, government, or other mission-critical domains
- Experience evaluating emerging technologies and guiding organizational adoption
- Understanding of change management strategies for introducing new technologies into established workflows
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and guide junior engineers.
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*: $135,000 - $231,000 or $164,000 - $273,000
*Pursuant to California Senate Bill 1162, IDT is required to disclose the “pay scale” or “pay range” associated with a job posting. Notably, however, 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. Click here for additional information about Senate Bill 1162. IDT is often looking to place multiple candidates at various levels. Therefore, more than one pay range has been included, commensurate with experience.
*Pursuant to California Senate Bill 1162, IDT is required to disclose the “pay scale” or “pay range” associated with a job posting. Notably, however, 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. Click here for additional information about Senate Bill 1162. 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:
- 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
- 7+ years of professional software or technical experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain an active Secret U.S. security clearance
- Ability to travel up to 10% as needed
- Experience applying modern AI technologies, particularly LLMs, generative AI tools, and AI-assisted development workflows
- Experience designing and implementing technical solutions leveraging AI for productivity, automation, or decision-making
- Ability to rapidly prototype and evaluate emerging technologies
- Understanding of secure software development practices and AI-specific security considerations
- Experience working in environments with strong security and compliance controls
- Strong problem-solving skills, including independently defining requirements, scoping initiatives, and delivering solutions
- Strong communication skills and ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
- Ability to collaborate across engineering, security, compliance, and business teams
- Ability to balance innovation with security, compliance, and operational constraints
- Knowledge of naval tactical systems such as Aegis, SSDS, or SLQ-32
- Familiarity with MLOps practices, model lifecycle management, monitoring, and CI/CD integration
- Experience integrating AI capabilities into DevSecOps or CI/CD pipelines
- Hands-on experience deploying AI-enabled tools or applications into production
- Experience with generative AI, LLMs, or NLP tools
- Knowledge of NIST 800-53, DISA STIGs, Risk Management Framework processes, or comparable AI compliance frameworks
- Experience in defense, government, or other mission-critical domains
- Experience evaluating emerging technologies and guiding organizational adoption
- Understanding of change management strategies for introducing new technologies
- Ability to mentor and guide junior 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.
