Senior AI Engineer & Software Developer NATO Data Science & AI Support

Location: HQ SACT, Norfolk, VA
Position Type: Full-time, Onsite
Clearance Requirement: Active NATO or National SECRET (or higher) security clearance

Role Overview

Ironclad Defense Works (IDW) is seeking an accomplished Senior AI Engineer & Software Developer to join NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in supporting the Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) Branch. This role combines responsibilities in data science, AI/ML engineering, and software development to enhance NATO’s digital transformation, data exploitation, and operational decision support initiatives.

The successful candidate will lead the design, development, and deployment of secure, scalable, and innovative AI solutions—particularly in areas involving Large Language Models (LLMs), machine learning infrastructure, and data-driven applications that advance NATO’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and operationalize AI/ML and LLM-based capabilities for NATO transformation and warfare development programs.
• Design, build, and maintain data pipelines, APIs, and distributed systems to support secure and scalable AI solutions across the NATO Enterprise.
• Architect and optimize software systems and AI-enabled platforms, ensuring interoperability, modularity, and NATO-compliant security.
• Collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and subject-matter experts to build and deploy AI demonstrators, proofs of concept, and production-ready tools.
• Implement machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn) to support data modeling, inference, and generative AI applications.
• Lead efforts to improve performance, data quality, and integration within cloud environments (e.g., Microsoft Azure, AWS).
• Develop, test, and maintain microservices, containerized AI applications, and software APIs using tools such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Provide technical training and mentorship to NATO staff on data engineering, AI, and digital literacy.
• Support outreach and coordination with academic, industry, and defense innovation partners to promote AI adoption and collaboration.
• Stay current on advancements in AI, ML, NLP, and LLM deployment to continuously modernize NATO’s digital capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, AI Engineering, or a related discipline. OR equivalent experience (minimum 6 years in software/AI development within the last 8 years).
• 4+ years of proven experience in data science, AI/ML engineering, or software development, including work on distributed systems, API-based infrastructures, and containerized applications.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++, with proficiency in version control, CI/CD pipelines, and modern software practices.
• Hands-on experience with AI/ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn) and deployment of LLM solutions in secure environments.
• Skilled in designing and managing data pipelines, ETL processes, and real-time data streaming using tools like Apache Airflow, Kafka, or Spark.
• Demonstrated experience in cloud-based architectures (Azure or AWS) and data lake or warehouse technologies (Delta Lake, Snowflake, Hadoop).
• Understanding of NATO data security standards, data privacy, and ethical AI practices.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills, with the ability to brief non-technical audiences and produce high-quality technical deliverables.
• Eligible for and capable of obtaining/maintaining an active NATO or National SECRET clearance.

Desired Skills

• Experience implementing Generative AI and LLM fine-tuning for operational or analytical use cases.
• Knowledge of federated learning and secure data collaboration within multinational or classified environments.
• Experience leading or contributing to AI outreach, hackathons, or academic/industry engagements.
• Familiarity with Big Data ecosystems (Databricks, Spark) and DevSecOps best practices.
• Ability to act as a “data storyteller,” transforming technical results into actionable insights for leadership.
• Working knowledge of NATO processes, culture, and organizational structures.
• Exposure to agile methodologies and project management tools (Jira, Trello, or Loop).
• Additional European language proficiency (preferred but not required).

Application Instructions

Apply directly through the posted job ad and link.
Candidates may also send a cover letter and NATO-format resume emphasizing relevant AI, data science, and multinational experience to:
📧 [email protected]