Senior AI/ML Engineer

Join a Mission That Matters

Torch.AI builds the government’s AI-native control layer—a foundational data and intelligence capability designed to give the United States enduring ownership over how knowledge is created, managed, and applied in mission-critical environments. Our vision is simple and profound: ensure the U.S.—not a vendor—operates its own AI infrastructure to make decisive, real-time operational decisions.

We work at the center of national security, helping agencies transform data into actionable knowledge across domains including information advantage, ISR, joint effects, force protection, and mission support. If you’re driven to build technology that strengthens U.S. defense readiness and protects national interests, Torch.AI offers an opportunity to make meaningful impact at national scale.

What It’s Like to Work Here

Torch.AI operates at the intersection of advanced AI, secure systems, and real-world operations. We solve complex, high-stakes problems by building scalable, modular technology that reduces cognitive burden, improves mission performance, and delivers timely, reliable, predictive intelligence.

Here, you’ll collaborate with a diverse team of engineers, data experts, veterans, and mission practitioners. You’ll have the autonomy to own meaningful work and the support of teammates who share context openly, challenge assumptions, and think creatively. Every day brings something different—early prototypes, production deployments, mission support, or scaling next-generation capabilities.

We’re a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where curiosity, adaptability, and a deep commitment to national security drive everything we do.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of production-grade ML and NLP pipelines, including transformer-based and embedding-driven systems.
• Architect and scale retrieval-augmented generation workflows, vector search systems, and tool-use agent architectures.
• Drive the full MLOps lifecycle: training pipelines, deployment strategies, observability, versioning, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with data engineering and platform teams to ensure resilient, scalable ML infrastructure.
• Provide technical leadership: mentor team members, review designs, and guide ML engineering practices.
• Collaborate with architects, product leaders, and stakeholders to shape technical strategy and roadmap alignment.
• Lead research and evaluation efforts in areas such as vector similarity search, domain-specific model adaptation, and emerging agentic techniques.
• Contribute to cross-functional initiatives around platform reliability, cloud infrastructure, and large-scale data workflows.

What We Value  

• B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 7 years of software/ML engineering experience, with 3 years in NLP/LLMs.
• Proficiency in Python and deep experience with ML/NLP libraries (Transformers, spaCy, scikit-learn).
• Strong knowledge of LLMs, embeddings, semantic search, and retrieval architectures.
• Proven success delivering ML systems to production—data prep through deployment and monitoring.
• Experience with cloud architecture, distributed systems, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), and CI/CD.
• Ability to lead teams, influence technical direction, and communicate with both engineers and executives.
• Experience with multi-agent systems, graph-based retrieval, or advanced RAG techniques is a plus, not mandatory.
• Experience with IaC, streaming platforms, or big-data tooling is a plus, not required.
• Defense industry experience is preferred but not strictly required.

Security Clearance

Some roles require an active Secret, Top Secret, or Top Secret/SCI clearance. If you do not currently hold an active clearance but believe you may be eligible, we encourage you to apply as sponsorship is also available.

Work Location

We hire for roles at our headquarters in Leawood, KS, and for hybrid/remote positions in the Arlington, VA, Washington, DC, and Maryland (DMV) region. Some roles may require limited travel (<10%) to customer sites.

Incentives

• Equity participation for all employees within the first 12 months
• Competitive salary quarterly performance bonus
• Unlimited PTO 11 paid company holidays
• High-growth, mission-driven environment with significant professional development opportunities
• Weekly in-office catering at HQ

Benefits

Torch.AI provides benefits that exceed regional and national benchmarks across multiple categories:

401(k)

• Torch.AI provides participating employees with the option to enroll in a company-sponsored plan. Currently, Torch.AI does not provide matching. 

Medical

• Three plan options: PPO, HSA, TRICARE Supplement
• HSA contributions significantly above regional norms
• Rare TRICARE Supplement offering (top ~18% of employers)

Spending Accounts

• HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care FSA with high employer contributions and rollover flexibility

Dental

• Plans with annual maximums up to 2.6× the national average

Vision

• VSP Choice network with above-market frame allowances

Life Insurance

• Employer-paid life insurance equal to 1× salary (substantial above-market coverage)

Disability & Illness

• Top 10% regional coverage for STD and LTD (both employer paid)

Voluntary Benefits

• Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
• Commuter benefits up to $300/month (tax-free)

Torch.AI is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.