R&D Software Engineer — AI/ML Mission Solutions
About the role
Rackner is hiring an R&D Software Engineer — AI/ML Mission Solutions to build, prototype, validate, and improve AI/data-driven software capabilities for defense-relevant use cases.
Responsibilities
- Design, prototype, test, and refine AI/data-driven software capabilities for mission-focused use cases
- Build software for AI/ML experimentation, RAG or agentic workflows, model integration, simulation, data pipelines, and applied R&D prototypes
- Develop and improve data workflows, schema transformations, JSON workflows, APIs, backend services, and integration layers
- Support AI/ML workflows including inference, evaluation, deployment, monitoring, and model-serving patterns
- Validate outputs through testing, data quality checks, evaluation methods, debugging, monitoring, and failure analysis
- Troubleshoot complex issues across software, data, model, and integration layers
- Work with engineers and technical leadership to assess tradeoffs, identify constraints, and improve solution design
- Participate in technical demos, R&D events, mission-user discussions, and feedback cycles as needed
- Clearly explain technical concepts to engineering teams, program stakeholders, customers, and mission users
Requirements
Clearance: U.S. citizenship required. Active Secret clearance preferred; candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
Qualifications
- Strong software engineering background with hands-on experience building, testing, debugging, and improving modern systems
- Proficiency in Python, Go, C++, Java, SQL, or a similar language used for backend, data, AI/ML, or algorithmic work
- Hands-on depth in at least one relevant area: AI/ML systems, RAG, agentic development, LangChain, data pipelines, MLOps, algorithmic software, simulation, or deployable systems
- Ability to clearly explain what you personally built, how the system worked, what broke, how you validated it, and what impact it had
- Familiarity with real-world data workflows, including data sources, APIs, schemas, transformations, databases, files, events, or logs
- Comfort working in fast-paced environments with evolving requirements
- Willingness to travel approximately 15% for R&D events, demos, collaboration sessions, or customer and mission engagements
Skills
- Kubernetes, Terraform, cloud, CI/CD, and DevSecOps are helpful, but the main focus is software engineering, AI/data systems, algorithmic problem-solving, validation, and R&D execution
Benefits
Company-supported certifications aligned to current and future program work, including cloud, Kubernetes, DevSecOps, security, AI/ML, project management, and related technical areas
Clear advancement tracks and future leadership opportunities
401(k) with 100% match up to 6%
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
Generous PTO and paid holidays
Home-office equipment plan and remote work support
Fitness and wellness reimbursement
Weekly pay schedule and modern perks, including team events
About Rackner
Rackner is a software consultancy focused on building mission-critical systems for the U.S. government. Our teams work across cloud platforms, DevSecOps, AI/ML, distributed systems, and modern software engineering initiatives supporting federal agencies and national security missions. Rackner engineers and technical teams collaborate closely with leadership, program teams, and mission stakeholders to design, demonstrate, and improve software systems that address complex operational challenges.
Equal Opportunity
Rackner is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.