Principal AI/ML Autonomy Engineer

About the role

The AI, FSW & Autonomy organization is looking for a Principal AI/ML Autonomy Engineer. This is a hands-on IC lead role. You are the architect, the builder, and the integrator. You'll define the embedded AI/ML strategy, develop and deploy the models, and work directly alongside flight software, ground systems, GNC, avionics, MLOps, and simulation engineers to build embedded autonomous systems. You’ll develop the strategy and drive its success, with direct visibility to senior and executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• You are the accountable technical lead for embedded AI/ML from architecture and model development through deployment and operational validation
• Define and execute the technical roadmap
• Identify, architect and fine tune embedded ML models optimized for the compute environment, balancing inference performance against strict SWaP-C (size, weight, power, and cost) constraints
• Own the full ML lifecycle including data collection and pipeline development, model architecture, training, compression and quantization, hardware-aware optimization, and on-target validation
• Integrate AI/ML models directly into the flight software stack, ensuring real-time performance, deterministic behavior, and compliance with safety and reliability requirements
• Drive cross-functional technical alignment with FSW, avionics, ground systems, GN&C, and systems engineering, translating autonomous operations requirements into deployable, validated AI capabilities
• Serve as the technical authority and force multiplier across the broader AI, FSW & Autonomy team, setting the bar, unblocking peers, and accelerating delivery through influence and expertise
• Represent Blue National Security's AI/ML capability to government customers, program offices, and external partners

Requirements

• B.S. in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical field
• 10+ years in developing autonomy for mission/safety-critical embedded systems
• 5+ years of hands-on experience developing and deploying AI/ML systems in a production environment with demonstrated emphasis on embedded or resource-constrained environments
• Demonstrated experience deploying ML models on embedded flight or mission-critical hardware such as edge GPUs, FPGAs, DSPs, or radiation-tolerant processors under real-world performance constraints
• Deep proficiency in Python and C/C++ for both model development and embedded software integration
• Expertise in modern ML frameworks including PyTorch, TensorFlow, or ONNX Runtime
• Hands-on experience with model optimization for edge deployment: quantization, pruning, TensorRT, TFLite, or equivalent toolchains
• Proven ability to operate within real-time, resource-constrained software environments such as RTOS, bare-metal, or safety-critical OS
• Strong technical communication skills with the ability to brief executive leadership, government customers, and engineering peers with equal clarity and confidence

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum

Special Mentions

• Location: Denver, CO | Huntsville, AL
• Relocation assistance is available
• Travel: Up to 25%
• Security Clearance: Ability to obtain a DoD U.S. Secret clearance (TS/SCI) required

Pay

Base Pay Range For CO applicants is $218,520.00 - $305,926.95

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Short and long-term disability
• 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%
• Education Support Program
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays