Senior Principal AI/ML Engineer

SRC, Inc., a not-for-profit research and development company, combines information, science, technology, and ingenuity to solve complex problems in defense, environment, and intelligence.

About the role

This role sits at the nexus of technology innovation, customer mission understanding, and strategic program capture. The selected candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping SRC’s future technology posture by curating a connected portfolio of external and internal efforts aligned with customer needs, market opportunities, and SRC’s proven technical heritage. This is a mission-focused, hands-on leadership position that integrates operational and R&D strategy, scientific mentorship, and business development alignment.

The successful candidate will work directly with program managers, engineers, scientists, and capture teams to ensure that our AI/ML work produces meaningful, defensible results that transition effectively into programs supporting ISR, EW, advanced sensing, decision science, and emerging mission domains.

Responsibilities

• Curate, manage, and maintain a forward-looking AI/ML portfolio informed by customer missions, SRC strengths, and anticipated demand signals
• Review and synthesize existing AI/ML efforts into cohesive technology roadmaps and strategic direction statements
• Conduct customer-driven gap analyses across major programs to identify unanswered questions and key technology shortfalls
• Collaborate with program development and capture teams to align AI/ML execution with SRC’s overarching strategy
• Mentor scientific teams to ensure technical rigor, high-quality experimentation, defensible data, and clear transition-ready outcomes
• Guide “full-stack” scientific development—concept creation, proposal shaping, execution, analysis, and customer-facing transition
• Support business development through persuasive technology storytelling and B&P product contributions
• Engage stakeholders across technical, management, and executive levels with strong executive presence
• Lead or contribute to advanced AI/ML, MS&A, and prototyping activities when hands-on execution is required
• Partner with engineering, operations, and capture to translate AI/ML results into viable, fieldable products and solutions

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or a related technical discipline
• 15+ years of experience in R&D leadership, advanced technology development, scientific portfolio management, or strategic program capture
• An active TS/SCI clearance is required
• Demonstrated experience managing AI/ML portfolios, technology roadmapping, or scientific/technical strategy
• Proven track record in AI/ML, advanced analytics, modeling & simulation, or emerging technology prototyping
• Experience mentoring technical teams and developing scientists into high-impact contributors
• Ability to work at the interface of engineering, science, strategy, and business development
• Familiarity with DoD mission domains, customer communities, and technology transition pathways
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with comfort engaging senior stakeholders
• Ability to coordinate diverse contributors and maintain focus during rapid or evolving technology efforts

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline (preferred)

Benefits

• Four or more weeks of paid time off to start
• 10 percent employer contribution toward retirement
• 100 percent tuition support

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this position based out of Dayton, OH is estimated at $176,000 to $220,000 annually. The actual salary will vary based on applicant’s experience, skills, and abilities, geographic location, as well as other business and organizational needs.

Location: Fairborn, Ohio
Employment Type: Full-Time Salaried
Travel: 10%