Senior AI Solutions Engineer - JobID-0287

Department: Engineering Employment Type: Full Time Location: San Diego, CA Compensation: $135,000 - $273,000 / year Description 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 functionsResearch, evaluate, and prototype AI tools, frameworks, and platforms to address internal operational challengesImplement practical AI-enabled solutions that integrate into existing workflows and systemsCollaborate with internal stakeholders across engineering, security, program management, and business teams to understand problems and deliver impactful solutionsIntegrate AI capabilities into existing development and operational processes while ensuring usability, reliability, and maintainabilitySupport internal adoption of AI technologies by providing guidance, demonstrations, and knowledge sharingGuide the organization on emerging AI trends, platforms, and best practicesWork closely with security and compliance teams to ensure AI solutions meet relevant policies and regulations, particularly in sensitive and classified environmentsContinuously 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 experienceBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experienceU.S. citizenshipAbility to travel up to 10% as neededStrong 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 systemsLead designing and implementing technical solutions that leverage AI technologies to improve productivity, automation, or decision-makingAbility to rapidly prototype and evaluate new technologies to determine their potential value to the organizationUnderstanding of secure software development practices and AI-specific security considerationsFamiliarity working within environments that require strong security and compliance controlsStrong problem-solving skills and the ability to independently define requirements, scope initiatives, and deliver practical solutionsStrong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiencesDemonstrated ability to collaborate across engineering, security, compliance, and business teamsComfortable 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 systemsFamiliarity with MLOps practices such as model lifecycle management, monitoring, and CI/CD integrationExperience integrating AI capabilities into DevSecOps or CI/CD pipelinesHands-on experience deploying AI-enabled tools or applications into production environmentsExperience working with generative AI technologies, large language models, or natural language processing toolsKnowledge of NIST 800-53, DISA STIGs and Risk Management Framework processes, or other compliance frameworks specifically on AI systemsExperience working in defense, government, or other mission-critical domainsExperience evaluating emerging technologies and guiding organizational adoptionUnderstanding of change management strategies for introducing new technologies into established workflowsDemonstrated 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. 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 EventsAnnual Employee Recognition Awards Regular Social Events and Catered Lunches EEO Statement IDT is an Equal Opportunity employer.