Chief AI/ML Engineer

Who we are:

Raft () is a customer-obsessed non-traditional small business that purposefully focuses on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development. Our headquarters are in Reston, VA. We work with a range of clients, including innovative federal and public agencies, by leveraging design thinking, cutting-edge tech stack, and a cloud-native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans.

We are growing quickly and are looking for an experienced Principal AI/ML Engineer to join our team of high-impact problem solvers. We relish the challenges of human-centered design, security, and scale that help us deliver better outcomes for our federal agency partners. We operate remotely and completely in the open source.

About the role:

As a Principal AI/ML Engineer, you would work closely with a cross-functional data team consisting of DevSecOps engineers, Product Owners, Data Engineers, Data Analysts, and Data Scientists. Your main responsibility would be to develop machine learning models that are an essential part of a larger pipeline delivering value to our end customers.

What we are looking for:

• 5+ years of relevant hands-on experience
• Prior practical experience in Machine Learning models and Software Engineering
• Someone passionate about innovation, interested in exploring and leveraging new data modalities, and enjoys working within interdisciplinary teams
• Experience building and maintaining machine learning platforms and pipelines
• Experience in developing machine learning models,
• Experience with data processing frameworks (Apache Spark preferred)
• Practical programming and scripting skills (Python preferred)
• Quick learner, analytical thinker, creative, hands-on, with strong communication skills
• Capability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated experience with modern software development and engineering practices including scrum/agile, Git, and DevOps
• Obtain Security+ within the first 90 days of employment with Raft

Highly preferred:

• Publications or GitHub repos that demonstrate your skills

Clearance Requirements:

• Active Top Secret clearance

Position Type and Location:

• Hybrid - Tampa, FL

What we offer you:

• Highly competitive salary
• Fully covered health care, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Unlimited PTO + 11 paid holidays
• Education and training benefits
• Annual budget for your tech/gadget needs
• Monthly box of enjoyable snacks while delivering meaningful work
• Remote, hybrid, and flexible work options
• Team off-sites at fun locations!
• Generous Referral Bonuses
• And more!

Our Vision Statement:

We bridge the gap between humans and data by maintaining radical transparency and a mission-centric approach.

Our Customer Obsession:

We treat every deliverable like it's a product. We adopt a customer-obsessed approach. As we grow and our footprint expands, teams and employees will not only regard each other as teammates but customers. We value a customer-obsessed mindset. This will help us scale and enhance interactions between our Rafters, their clients, and other product teams. Our culture will set us apart from other companies.

Our path forward:

Public-sector modernization is crucial for a better world. We, at Raft, aim to innovate and overcome complex challenges. If we succeed, our generation and the ones to come will thrive in a world where innovative thinking and collaboration are norms.

Raft's core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our “nadi” by uplifting other Rafters. We work as a highly collaborative team where each member brings a unique perspective, adding value not present before. People make Raft special. We celebrate our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are committed to our practice of innovation and collaboration.