Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Engineer (Senior Consultant)

About the Role

This Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Engineer (Senior Consultant) collaborates with cross-functional teams to align the technical vision, implementation, and quality of software systems across development, reliability, testing, and operations. The role bridges business objectives with technical execution across software development, infrastructure, security, and testing at an advanced application-level of proficiency. The Sr. Consultant ensures scalable, secure, and reliable solutions while mentoring engineers, fostering collaboration, and aligning stakeholders with product and project goals.

The Impact You Will Create

• Deliver high-performance AI and data solutions enabling federal civilian agencies to manage and analyze massive datasets in support of people-centered policy and decision-making.
• Implement advanced AI agents and scalable cloud-based data pipelines to translate complex AI capabilities into reliable, mission-driven outcomes.
• Deliver expected outcomes through high-quality code and maintainable systems.
• Offer and implement innovative solutions incorporating engineering best practices via new tools, frameworks, and methodologies.
• Lead and align stakeholders with product and project goals to advance customer satisfaction and Fearless’ objectives, strategy, and mission.
• Serve as a trusted advisor in your area of expertise.

Fearless Impact

• Foster collaboration with cross-functional teams by taking initiative and driving conversations.
• Coach, mentor, and develop peers to elevate team capability and technical expertise using clear and persuasive communication.
• Earn the trust of customers and teammates by delivering world-class services.
• Drive accountability and delivery by ensuring project objectives are met on time and aligned with client priorities and Fearless standards of excellence.
• Anticipate risks and implement proactive solutions to keep initiatives on track.
• Take ownership of risk management by monitoring deliverables, identifying issues early, and coaching teammates on mitigation strategies.
• Shape client engagement and intelligence-gathering efforts by cultivating relationships with stakeholders and providing actionable recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and support AI-driven solutions for high-priority federal civilian government initiatives focused on improving data accessibility, analysis, and policy outcomes.
• Develop and configure AI agents using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures to enable accurate, scalable, and explainable AI capabilities.
• Fine-tune and optimize AI/ML models, with preference for experience leveraging RAFT or similar advanced fine-tuning techniques.
• Build, maintain, and optimize large-scale data pipelines and data processing systems using Go, ensuring high performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage and process massive datasets supporting analytics, AI models, and downstream applications.
• Serve as a technical bridge between AI capabilities and stakeholder needs by translating complex technical concepts into clear, actionable solutions.
• Partner with government stakeholders to understand mission goals and guide the practical application of AI and data solutions.
• Leverage cloud-based platforms such as Databricks and/or AWS to support data engineering, model training, and deployment workflows.
• Support ML lifecycle management and CI/CD processes for models, including experiment tracking and versioning using tools such as MLflow.

Requirements

Core Competencies

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to observe and interpret information, break down complex problems, identify patterns, and draw logical conclusions.
• Synthetic Thinking: Ability to combine different ideas, information, or concepts to create new, meaningful solutions.
• Adaptability: Comfort with change, flexibility in shifting demands, and resilience to setbacks.
• Ownership & Accountability: Commitment to taking responsibility for outcomes and enhancing service delivery.
• Consultative Advising: Identifies and articulates client challenges, scopes projects, and aligns recommendations to business goals.
• Communicating with Influence: Crafts and delivers clear, persuasive messages integrating data insights and structured narratives.
• Managing Priorities & Client Alignment: Skillfully negotiates and manages conflicting priorities to enhance service delivery and client satisfaction.

Project-Specific Qualifications

• Three (3) or more years of related experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a public trust clearance.
• AI/ML engineering experience implementing Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and AI agents.
• Model fine-tuning expertise (e.g., RAFT or comparable techniques).
• Strong programming skills in Python and Go.
• Large-scale data pipeline design and high-performance data processing experience.
• Experience working with massive datasets in production environments.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms: Databricks and/or AWS.
• ML lifecycle management and CI/CD using tools such as MLflow.
• Ability to translate complex AI and data concepts into actionable solutions for non-technical stakeholders.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working on a computer or during meetings.
• Must be able to travel occasionally to client sites or company meetings.
• Ability to communicate effectively via phone, email, and in-person.
• Ability to move within an office environment, including reaching for files, using office equipment, and occasional light lifting (up to 10 pounds).

About Fearless

Fearless is a digital integration consultancy on a mission to build a better tomorrow. We combine technology, people, and organizational development to solve meaningful problems through iterative development and user-friendly solutions. Our Purple Culture values each team member as a whole person, matching work to strengths and passions, and supporting growth through coaching and autonomy.

Benefits

• Flexible, life-friendly schedules.
• 100% coverage for medical HSA plan + HSA contributions.
• Dental & vision covered 100% for you and your dependents.
• Competitive premiums for HMO/PPO and dependent coverage.
• 401(k) with 4% match & immediate vesting.
• Paid Parental Leave and 12 weeks paid FMLA.
• Generous PTO, 11 Federal Holidays, a Birthday Holiday, and Sick Leave.
• Up to 15 days for Jury Duty and Bereavement Leave.
• Education, wellness, and tech allowances.
• Referral bonus: $6K–$12K for each successful referral.
• Pet insurance & discount plans.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Legal support, life insurance, disability coverage.
• Performance-Based Bonuses recognizing both company success and individual contributions.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $120,588 – $195,955, with a hiring range of $120,588 - $183,752. This role is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on individual and company performance criteria.

Location

Fearless is licensed to hire in the following states: Alabama, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.