Senior Computer Scientist/Engineer (AI w/ TAK)

About the role

Pursue a career at Parsons where you can thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential.

Responsibilities

• Software & Application Development:
  • Provide professional software and application development in various programming languages in support of Drone Armor C-UAS capabilities
  • Design, implement, and maintain complex software components and services that enable mission-critical functions
  • Apply fundamentals and principles of: Artificial intelligence and information systems, Networking, distributed processing, and real-time controls, System-of-systems engineering, web, cloud, modeling, simulation
  • Develop software and services that interface with and extend Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) ecosystems (e.g., ATAK, WinTAK, server-side TAK components), including plugins, data feeds, and mission tools
  • Ensure software is robust, secure, maintainable, and aligned with program performance and reliability requirements
  • Conduct code reviews and enforce coding standards, security practices, and configuration management processes
• Systems Architecture, Integration & Technical Leadership:
  • Apply expert knowledge of computer hardware, systems software, computer system architecture, and system integration to support end-to-end C-UAS solutions
  • Architect and integrate software components within complex system-of-systems environments
  • Architect and integrate AI/ML pipelines and TAK-based components into existing C-UAS architectures, ensuring interoperability with external systems, sensors, and command-and-control (C2) platforms
  • Collaborate with systems engineers, RF engineers, data scientists, and other stakeholders to ensure software solutions align with system requirements and mission objectives
  • Lead or mentor junior and mid-level computer scientists/engineers, providing technical guidance and oversight
  • May lead a team of computer scientists on large and complex projects, including planning, tasking, and technical quality control
• Mathematical Foundations & Algorithm Development:
  • Apply advanced mathematics including data structures, algorithms, discrete models, and modern algebra to software and algorithm design
  • Develop, analyze, and optimize algorithms for detection, tracking, decision-support, and other mission-critical capabilities
  • Evaluate algorithm performance, complexity, and suitability for real-time, distributed, or resource-constrained environments
  • Support modeling and simulation activities to analyze system behavior and assess performance trade-offs
• Research, Test, Evaluation & Lifecycle Support:
  • Lead or significantly contribute to research, design, development, testing, evaluation, and maintenance of software applications in an integrated, lifecycle-focused manner
  • Define and execute unit, integration, and system-level test strategies for software components and services
  • Define and execute test and evaluation strategies for AI/ML components and TAK-integrated capabilities, including performance, robustness, and human-in-the-loop evaluation in operationally relevant scenarios
  • Analyze test results, diagnose complex issues, and drive corrective actions and performance improvements
  • Prepare and maintain technical documentation including architecture/design descriptions, test reports, and user documentation
  • Maintain awareness of evolving technologies, tools, and methods relevant to C-UAS and advanced software systems

Requirements

• Education: Master’s degree in computer science, electronics engineering, or other engineering or technical discipline is required with 6 years of experience OR 10 years of relevant software/computer science experience may be substituted for education
• Experience: Minimum 6 years of experience in professional software or application development using modern programming languages
• Experience applying: Fundamentals and principles of artificial intelligence, information systems, networking, distributed processing, real-time controls, system-of-systems, web, cloud, modeling, simulation, or some combination thereof
• Experience supporting the research, design, development, testing, evaluation, and maintenance of software applications in an integrated manner
• Experience leading teams or providing technical leadership on large and complex software projects
• Experience designing, implementing, or integrating AI/ML-based capabilities into operational systems, with emphasis on real-time or near-real-time decision-support, detection, or tracking
• Experience developing, integrating, or supporting TAK-based solutions (e.g., ATAK/WinTAK plugins, TAK servers, data services) in tactical or mission systems
• Advanced Education & Certifications: PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline preferred

Desired Skills

• Advanced Education & Certifications: PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline
• Professional certifications in cloud computing, software architecture, AI/ML, or cybersecurity
• Specialized Experience: Experience with DoD programs, C-UAS, electronic warfare, ISR, or other defense-related systems
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks and tools applied to detection, classification, or decision-support problems
• Experience designing or deploying TAK-based capabilities in operational environments, including mission planning, situational awareness, or C2 workflows
• Experience with modeling and simulation tools for system-of-systems or mission analysis
• Advanced Technical Skills: Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and modern DevSecOps practices, Experience with microservices architectures, message-based or event-driven systems, Familiarity with real-time data processing, edge computing, or high-performance computing environments
• Tools & Analytical Capabilities: Proficiency with collaborative development tools (Git, issue tracking, CI/CD platforms), Experience with performance profiling, debugging, and optimization tools, Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills

Pay

$125,100.00 - $225,200.00

Schedule

Full-time

Benefits

We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.

Recruitment Fraud

To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.