Senior Systems Engineer (AI/ML Integration)

Location: Lexington Park, Maryland, United States; supports NAVAIR activities in Patuxent River, Maryland. U.S. citizenship and an active Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance are required.

Salary: $105,000–$157,000 per year, with the final offer based on location, qualifications, experience, contract affordability, and internal parity.

Company

hirify.global provides engineering and technical support for government aerospace, defense, and unmanned aviation programs.

What you will do

• Develop systems engineering products and analyses for unmanned aviation, autonomous capabilities, and MQ-9 program activities.
• Define and maintain requirements, interface definitions, system architectures, implementation strategies, concept plans, and technical roadmaps for AI/ML-enabled systems.
• Evaluate AI/ML technologies, architectures, and technical approaches through trade studies, alternative analyses, and engineering assessments.
• Oversee AI/ML data management, model development, validation, integration, and deployment activities.
• Coordinate with government stakeholders, development teams, test organizations, and platform integrators during implementation and fielding.
• Prepare technical reports, engineering assessments, briefings, and decision-support materials while leading multifunctional engineering efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related STEM field.
• At least 8 years of experience with complex aerospace, aviation, autonomous, or defense systems across design, integration, testing, acquisition, or sustainment.
• At least 3 years of experience developing, integrating, testing, or deploying AI/ML solutions.
• Experience with requirements analysis, system architecture, trade studies, technical evaluations, and U.S. Government defense acquisition environments.
• U.S. citizenship and an active Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance.
• Experience with AI/ML concepts, autonomous systems, sensor fusion, data management, model lifecycles, or operational defense applications.

Nice to have

• Master’s degree in a related technical discipline.
• Experience with NAVAIR, military aviation, unmanned aviation, MQ-9, or Group 4/5 UAS programs.
• INCOSE ASEP, CSEP, or ESEP certification, or DAWIA certification.
• Experience preparing executive-level engineering reports, technical correspondence, and briefings.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time schedule of 40 hours per week.
• Benefits may include a 401(k) plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability coverage, and paid time off.
• Flexible work schedule options may be available.
• Professional training and development opportunities support career advancement.
• Additional compensation may include bonuses, incentives, discretionary payments, or relocation benefits depending on role and policy.