Applied AI Engineer
Visionist, Inc.7 days ago
Columbia, MD, USAMid Level / Senior
Base Salary
$115k - $185k/yr
Responsibilities
- Develop and test Python components for agentic AI solutions, including MCP servers, skills, and integrations with mission data sources and tools.
- Collaborate with operators and analysts to understand workflows, learn mission tradecraft, and identify AI-driven automation opportunities.
- Build scripts and tools to convert, normalize, and extract information from customer data.
- Create test cases and evaluation examples to assess AI capability accuracy and reliability.
- Use AI coding agents during development while reviewing and validating generated code.
- Work with senior engineers to test agentic workflows, troubleshoot issues, and recommend improvements.
- Create technical documentation and user guides for mission users adopting new AI tools.
Requirements
- Active Top Secret TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required.
- Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline, or 4 additional years of experience in place of the degree.
- 3–7 years of software development experience.
- Proficiency in Python, including JSON, REST APIs, and data manipulation.
- Understanding of software engineering fundamentals, including Git version control, testing, and debugging.
- Familiarity with LLM concepts such as prompt engineering, structured outputs, and tool/function calling.
- Experience using AI coding assistants such as Claude Code or Copilot to develop, debug, or test software.
- Familiarity with Linux environments and command-line tools.
- Strong communication skills and willingness to learn from senior engineers and mission subject matter experts.
- U.S. citizenship is required; green card holders and permanent residents are not eligible.
- Applicants selected must obtain or maintain a government security clearance.
Benefits
- Annual merit increases and performance-based bonuses.
- Four weeks of paid time off, 12 paid holidays, comp time, overtime, and flexible work hours.
- 80 hours of paid parental leave plus an $8,000 supplemental payment upon returning from maternity leave.
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits for individuals and families, with an additional $4,680 per year for employees who waive medical benefits.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions.
- Annual $600 lifestyle bonus for gyms, fitness, new technology, or an HSA.
- Term life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.
- Interview process consists of a recruiter phone screen and an interview with the Visionist team at the Columbia, Maryland headquarters.
Categories
About Visionist, Inc.
Visionist, Inc. delivers engineering, software development, and analytical services to U.S. intelligence and defense agencies, often as a prime contractor. Its teams build mission systems and analysis tools spanning AI/ML integration, cyber and network security, digital signal processing, data analytics, and UX for analysts. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Visionist is privately held and 100% employee-owned through an ESOP.