AI Engineer

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking an AI Engineer to support mission-critical Intelligence Community programs through the design, development, and deployment of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI solutions. This is a hybrid position located in

Annapolis Junction, MD, Reston, VA or Washington, DC. This role combines modern software engineering practices with cutting-edge AI technologies to deliver scalable, secure, and impactful capabilities that enhance mission outcomes. The AI Engineer position requires an

Active TS/SCI Clearance with CI Polygraph

This job opens for applications on 11/7/2026. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date.

Responsibilities of the AI Engineer will include:

• Design, prototype, and deploy AI-enabled solutions that directly support customer mission objectives.
• Develop and maintain full-stack applications using Next.js, TypeScript, FastAPI, Python, PostgreSQL, and OpenSearch.
• Build and optimize Generative AI and Agentic AI solutions leveraging frameworks such as LangChain, Haystack, and LlamaIndex.
• Develop intelligent AI agents incorporating Model Context Protocol (MCP), tool integrations, context engineering, retrieval techniques, and agent-to-agent communication patterns.
• Design, develop, and maintain backend APIs and data services supporting AI workloads and large-scale data processing.
• Deploy, manage, and monitor containerized applications using Docker and OpenShift.
• Implement prompt engineering strategies, prompt lifecycle management, evaluation frameworks, and optimization techniques.
  
  

Qualifications for the AI Engineer include:

• 9 years of related experience as well as a Bachelor's degree in a related field
• Hands-on experience with at least one major Generative AI framework, including LangChain, Haystack, or LlamaIndex.
• Experience designing and implementing Agentic AI systems and AI workflow orchestration.
• Proficiency with React, TypeScript, Python, and RESTful API development.
• Experience working with PostgreSQL and modern data architectures as well as hands-on experience with Docker and containerized application development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact directly with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Active TS/SCI and CI Polygraph Clearance
  
  

Compensation:

• Salary: $135,000 - $220,000 Depending on Experience
• Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, PTO, Sick Leave if required by law, and Holidays
  
  

Artificial Intelligence, AI Engineer, Generative AI, GenAI, Agentic AI, AI Agents, Large Language Models, LLMs, LangChain, Haystack, LlamaIndex, MCP, Model Context Protocol, FastMCP, Prompt Engineering, Prompt Optimization, Context Engineering, RAG, Retrieval Augmented Generation, Semantic Search, Vector Databases, OpenSearch, Elasticsearch, AI Orchestration, Multi-Agent Systems, Agent-to-Agent Communication, AI Observability, LangSmith, Langfuse, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, NLP, Python, TypeScript, JavaScript, React, Next.js, FastAPI, REST APIs, API Development, Full Stack Development, Software Engineering, PostgreSQL, SQL, Data Architecture, Data Engineering, Docker, Containerization, OpenShift, Kubernetes, AWS, Cloud Engineering, MLOps, AI Platform Engineering, Secure Software Development, DevSecOps, Intelligence Community, IC, Department of Defense, DoD, National Security, Mission Systems, TS/SCI, CI Polygraph, TS/SCI CI Poly, Cleared Engineer, Cleared Software Engineer, AI Solutions Architect, Applied AI Engineer, AI Application Developer, Production AI Systems, Scalable AI Systems, Enterprise AI, Agile Development, Technical Leadership, System Architecture, Backend Development, Frontend Development, Human-in-the-Loop AI, LLM Evaluation, AI Testing, Knowledge Retrieval, Autonomous Systems, Mission-Focused AI, Conversational AI, Intelligent Automation, AI Product Development, Distributed Systems, Secure AI Solutions.