The Role
Lead R&D efforts to design, prototype, and deploy AI/ML (primarily computer vision and edge inference) solutions for defense customers. Translate operational requirements into demonstrable, edge-optimized systems, mentor junior developers, establish engineering standards, and support proposals and technical briefings. Maintain prototype pipeline, manage technical risks, and integrate AI into training and simulation environments.
Summary Generated by Built In
Overview
SCCI is currently seeking a Senior Software Developer to join our team! In this position you will work in a newly established R&D department focused on delivering next-generation autonomous systems and immersive training solutions for defense and government customers. This role demands deep expertise in applied machine learning, with a direct hand in prototyping and fielding AI-driven capabilities that address real operational requirements. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of translating complex ML concepts into working systems within the constraints of defense hardware, software, and security environments. If you are motivated by mission-critical impact and the challenge of building at the edge of what is possible, we want to hear from you! This position is located in Dahlgren, VA.
SCCI offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability benefits, 401k with Company Match, time off consisting of 2 weeks of paid vacation, 48 hours of sick/personal leave, and 11 paid Holidays.
Responsibilities:
- Proactively identifies emerging DoD capability gaps and operational needs, developing AI/ML prototype concepts in advance of formal government solicitations to position SCCI for OTA responses, SBIR/STTR opportunities, and DoD challenge competitions
- Drives the R&D technical vision for AI/ML capabilities, with a current focus on computer vision, edge-based inference, and autonomous swarm control while continuously scanning the threat and technology landscape to anticipate the next competitive frontier
- Translates operational military requirements into prototype AI/ML solutions that are demonstrable, defensible, and transition-ready for program of record or follow-on acquisition
- Collaborates with Program Manager to document technical project objectives, effort estimates, and milestone schedules for AI/ML R&D efforts and tracking execution against plan
- Designs, develops, and iterates AI/ML prototype solutions with emphasis on computer vision applications for edge-deployed systems
- Develops and optimizes models for deployment on resource-constrained edge hardware, balancing inference performance, power envelope, and operational reliability
- Integrates AI/ML capabilities into simulation and training environments to produce adaptive, hyper-realistic training scenarios that respond dynamically to trainee behavior and mission context
- Maintains a working prototype pipeline that enables rapid demonstration to government customers, OTA consortia, and DoD evaluators with minimal lead time
- Identifies and escalates technical risks early, proposes mitigation approaches, and adjusts development priorities to keep prototype efforts on schedule and within resource constraints
- Mentors and technically guides junior and mid-level developers in applied AI/ML concepts, development practices, and defense problem framing — building internal depth in a skill area where bench strength is currently limited
- Establishes repeatable development patterns, coding standards, and documentation practices that enable the broader team to contribute meaningfully to AI/ML prototype efforts over time
- Actively monitors competitor capabilities, government R&D investment trends, and emerging academic and commercial AI/ML advances to ensure SCCI maintains a differentiated and defensible position in the autonomous systems and simulation training marketspace
- Contributes technical concepts for white papers, capability briefs, technical volumes, and proposal content that articulate SCCI’s AI/ML vision and prototype achievements to government customers and industry partners
Essential Skills and Experience:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen and have an active Secret Security Clearance
- Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related technical field required
- Five (5) - Seven (7) years of hands-on applied AI/ML development with a portfolio of prototype or fielded systems demonstrating end-to-end ownership from concept through demonstration
- Demonstrated expertise in computer vision development and deployment, including object detection, tracking, classification, and scene understanding in operationally relevant contexts
- Proven experience deploying AI/ML models to edge hardware under real-world constraints of limited compute, power, bandwidth, and connectivity with demonstrated optimization techniques (quantization, pruning, distillation, or equivalent)
- Demonstrated experience developing AI/ML solutions that implement human-machine teaming principles reducing operator cognitive load in high-tempo, data-rich operational environments through intelligent automation, prioritized cueing, and adaptive interface behavior and maintaining human-on-the-loop or human-in-the-loop control consistent with DoD AI ethics and autonomy policy
- Demonstrated track record of delivering working prototypes on compressed timelines without detailed requirements, translating ambiguous operational problems into functional, demonstrable AI/ML solutions
- Demonstrated ability to own a technical effort completely from planning, execution, risk management, through delivery with minimal oversight
- Demonstrated experience defining technical project objectives, estimating work effort and milestone schedules while holding themselves and their team accountable to delivery without external management pressure
- Demonstrated experience mentoring and technically leveling up junior and mid-level developers in applied AI/ML, producing measurable growth in team capability over time
- Proven ability to establish development standards, reusable patterns, and documentation practices that extend their own impact across a small team
- Experience working within DoD, defense contractor, or government R&D environments with familiarity of military operational contexts, acquisition frameworks, and transition pathways
- Demonstrated experience presenting prototype capabilities and technical concepts to government customers, OTA consortia, program offices, or at defense industry events
- Proficiency with Atlassian suite, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office tools for project tracking, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration
- Demonstrated use of AI-assisted development tools to accelerate R&D workflows and prototype velocity
- Demonstrated experience identifying, evaluating, and recommending compute and hardware infrastructure for AI/ML development and testing environments, including edge devices, GPUs, and supporting lab equipment
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Active Top Secret Security Clearance
SCCI is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to meet the needs of Employees and their families. EOE of Veterans and Disabilities.
Skills Required
- U.S. Citizen and active Secret Security Clearance
- Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or closely related technical field
- Five to seven years of hands-on applied AI/ML development with portfolio of prototypes or fielded systems
- Demonstrated expertise in computer vision (object detection, tracking, classification, scene understanding)
- Experience deploying and optimizing AI/ML models to edge hardware (quantization, pruning, distillation, or equivalent)
- Experience developing human-machine teaming solutions consistent with DoD AI ethics and autonomy policy
- Proven ability to deliver working prototypes on compressed timelines from ambiguous requirements
- Ability to own technical efforts end-to-end including planning, execution, risk management, and delivery with minimal oversight
- Experience defining technical project objectives, estimating effort, and managing milestones
- Experience mentoring and technically developing junior and mid-level engineers in applied AI/ML
- Proven ability to establish development standards, reusable patterns, and documentation practices
- Experience working within DoD, defense contractor, or government R&D environments and familiarity with military operational contexts and acquisition
- Experience presenting prototype capabilities and technical concepts to government customers, OTAs, or program offices
- Proficiency with Atlassian suite, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office tools
- Use of AI-assisted development tools to accelerate R&D workflows
- Experience identifying and recommending compute and hardware infrastructure for AI/ML development and testing (edge devices, GPUs, lab equipment)
- Active Top Secret Security Clearance
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The Company
What We Do
Since 1977, Southeastern Computer Consultants, Inc. (SCCI) has delivered intelligent software, system engineering, and training solutions to serve a range of customers in state and federal government. The company provides systems engineering, configuration management, information assurance, and software engineering services in support of complex, software-intensive military systems for the US Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
