Senior Software Developer

Overview

SCCI is currently seeking a Senior Software Developer to join our team! In this position you will work in a newly established R&D department focused on delivering next-generation autonomous systems and immersive training solutions for defense and government customers. This role demands deep expertise in applied machine learning, with a direct hand in prototyping and fielding AI-driven capabilities that address real operational requirements. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of translating complex ML concepts into working systems within the constraints of defense hardware, software, and security environments. If you are motivated by mission-critical impact and the challenge of building at the edge of what is possible, we want to hear from you! This position is located in Dahlgren, VA.

SCCI offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability benefits, 401k with Company Match, time off consisting of 2 weeks of paid vacation, 48 hours of sick/personal leave, and 11 paid Holidays.

Responsibilities:

• Proactively identifies emerging DoD capability gaps and operational needs, developing AI/ML prototype concepts in advance of formal government solicitations to position SCCI for OTA responses, SBIR/STTR opportunities, and DoD challenge competitions
• Drives the R&D technical vision for AI/ML capabilities, with a current focus on computer vision, edge-based inference, and autonomous swarm control while continuously scanning the threat and technology landscape to anticipate the next competitive frontier
• Translates operational military requirements into prototype AI/ML solutions that are demonstrable, defensible, and transition-ready for program of record or follow-on acquisition
• Collaborates with Program Manager to document technical project objectives, effort estimates, and milestone schedules for AI/ML R&D efforts and tracking execution against plan
• Designs, develops, and iterates AI/ML prototype solutions with emphasis on computer vision applications for edge-deployed systems
• Develops and optimizes models for deployment on resource-constrained edge hardware, balancing inference performance, power envelope, and operational reliability
• Integrates AI/ML capabilities into simulation and training environments to produce adaptive, hyper-realistic training scenarios that respond dynamically to trainee behavior and mission context
• Maintains a working prototype pipeline that enables rapid demonstration to government customers, OTA consortia, and DoD evaluators with minimal lead time
• Identifies and escalates technical risks early, proposes mitigation approaches, and adjusts development priorities to keep prototype efforts on schedule and within resource constraints
• Mentors and technically guides junior and mid-level developers in applied AI/ML concepts, development practices, and defense problem framing - building internal depth in a skill area where bench strength is currently limited
• Establishes repeatable development patterns, coding standards, and documentation practices that enable the broader team to contribute meaningfully to AI/ML prototype efforts over time
• Actively monitors competitor capabilities, government R&D investment trends, and emerging academic and commercial AI/ML advances to ensure SCCI maintains a differentiated and defensible position in the autonomous systems and simulation training marketspace
• Contributes technical concepts for white papers, capability briefs, technical volumes, and proposal content that articulate SCCI's AI/ML vision and prototype achievements to government customers and industry partners

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related technical field required
• Five (5) - Seven (7) years of hands-on applied AI/ML development with a portfolio of prototype or fielded systems demonstrating end-to-end ownership from concept through demonstration
• Demonstrated expertise in computer vision development and deployment, including object detection, tracking, classification, and scene understanding in operationally relevant contexts
• Proven experience deploying AI/ML models to edge hardware under real-world constraints of limited compute, power, bandwidth, and connectivity with demonstrated optimization techniques (quantization, pruning, distillation, or equivalent)
• Demonstrated experience developing AI/ML solutions that implement human-machine teaming principles reducing operator cognitive load in high-tempo, data-rich operational environments through intelligent automation, prioritized cueing, and adaptive interface behavior and maintaining human-on-the-loop or human-in-the-loop control consistent with DoD AI ethics and autonomy policy
• Demonstrated track record of delivering working prototypes on compressed timelines without detailed requirements, translating ambiguous operational problems into functional, demonstrable AI/ML solutions
• Demonstrated ability to own a technical effort completely from planning, execution, risk management, through delivery with minimal oversight
• Demonstrated experience defining technical project objectives, estimating work effort and milestone schedules while holding themselves and their team accountable to delivery without external management pressure
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and technically leveling up junior and mid-level developers in applied AI/ML, producing measurable growth in team capability over time
• Proven ability to establish development standards, reusable patterns, and documentation practices that extend their own impact across a small team
• Experience working within DoD, defense contractor, or government R&D environments with familiarity of military operational contexts, acquisition frameworks, and transition pathways
• Demonstrated experience presenting prototype capabilities and technical concepts to government customers, OTA consortia, program offices, or at defense industry events
• Proficiency with Atlassian suite, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office tools for project tracking, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration
• Demonstrated use of AI-assisted development tools to accelerate R&D workflows and prototype velocity
• Demonstrated experience identifying, evaluating, and recommending compute and hardware infrastructure for AI/ML development and testing environments, including edge devices, GPUs, and supporting lab equipment

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Active Top Secret Security Clearance

SCCI is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to meet the needs of Employees and their families. EOE of Veterans and Disabilities.