Lead Automation AI/ML Engineer (Federal Government Project) (Washington)

Title : Lead Automation & AI/ML Engineer Location: Washington DC Metro (Remote) Job Type: Full-Time Job Description: As a Lead Consultant you will provide advanced technical expertise and leadership in developing automation and AI/ML solutions that help the Federal government serve the public more effectively. You will lead cross-functional teams to design, develop, and deploy intelligent automation and AI-driven systems, while ensuring high-quality, scalable, and maintainable solutions. In this role, you will mentor junior staff, contribute to professional development initiatives, and help shape innovative approaches to automation and emerging technologies. This role offers a unique opportunity to apply and expand your technical expertise across multiple disciplines, gain practical leadership experience, and drive impactful solutions with real-world outcomes. Key Responsibilities: Automation & AI/ML Development: • Provide technical leadership in designing, developing, and maintaining automation, AI/ML, and data-driven solutions that improve operational efficiency. • Architect solutions that are modular, scalable, reusable, and easy to maintain, leveraging best practices in software engineering. • Integrate automation and AI systems into enterprise ecosystems using modern APIs, cloud services, and data pipelines. • Establish and enforce coding standards, design patterns, and engineering practices that enable high-quality solution delivery. Collaboration: • Serve as a subject matter expert and technical advisor for the team. • Facilitate discussions with developers, project managers, data scientists, and clients to clarify requirements, constraints, and dependencies. • Lead open discussions on technical approaches, drive consensus, and make informed, decisive recommendations. • Communicate clearly, responsibly, and respectfully across technical and non-technical audiences. Documentation, Reporting, and Management: • Maintain clear and concise documentation for code, models, and automations, ensuring smooth collaboration in distributed environments. • Review code and solution artifacts, acting as a quality gate. • Provide regular and transparent updates on progress, support project managers in planning and risk management. Troubleshooting and Support: • Lead efforts to identify root causes of technical issues and implement effective fixes promptly. • Drive issue resolution with accountability, resourcefulness, and persistence. Leadership, Learning, and Growth: • Mentor and coach junior staff, contributing to skill development and knowledge-sharing across the team. • Support internal training and professional development initiatives. • Stay up to date with emerging technologies in automation, AI/ML, and software engineering practices. Technical Skills: • Proficient in at least one modern programming language (Python, Java, C#, or similar). • Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and technologies, including large language models (LLMs), natural language processing (NLP), prompt engineering, and model evaluation. • Hands-on experience with machine learning frameworks (TensorFlow, Porch, Scikit-learn) and end-to-end ML workflows (data preprocessing, training, deployment, and monitoring). • Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and their AI/ML and automation services. • Strong knowledge of data structures and formats (e.g., JSON, XML) and experience with databases (SQL and NoSQL). • Experience with modern version control and CI/CD practices (e.g., Git, GitHub, GitLab, Azure DevOps). • Applied knowledge of agile development principles and tools like Jira or Azure DevOps. • Experience with containerization, APIs, and enterprise integration is a plus. • Strong understanding of software engineering principles, including modular design, testing, and exception handling. Other Qualifications: • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to break down complex processes and design effective solutions. • Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences. • Demonstrated eagerness to learn and adopt new technologies, while actively sharing knowledge. • Strong collaboration skills with the ability to address issues directly and respectfully. • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive in solving problems. • Capable of working independently with minimal supervision. Experience: • 36 years of experience in software engineering, automation development, or AI/ML solution delivery. • Experience in a project-based work environment with regular production releases. • Exposure to high-volume, complex solutions or systems with a large user base is a plus. • Public sector consulting experience is a plus. Education: • Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, or related field, or equivalent practical experience. • Professional certifications in AI/ML, cloud, or automation technologies are highly desirable. • Scrum or PMI certifications are a plus. Apply tot his job