Senior AI Technical Lead

Location: McLean, Virginia, United States

Department: DOW AI/Tech

Workplace: on_site

Employment Type: full

Description

Overview

Join a team where innovation meets mission. Our AI, cloud, cyber, and modernization solutions save agencies thousands of hours, safeguard national security, and strengthen health and humanitarian missions worldwide. With 1,700+ team members, 1,500+ AI/data experts, and 100+ prime contracts, we deliver at scale and with purpose.

We’ve been recognized as a Top Workplace by the Washington Post for six straight years and named to the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies 13 of the past 14 years. Credence is a welcoming home for those looking to grow and contribute to positive change. We encourage all employees to expand beyond their boundaries, dive into important world-changing Federal challenges.

Position Summary

Credence has an immediate need for a Senior AI Technical Lead to join our growing AI and Automation practice. In this role, you will design and lead the development of cutting-edge AI solutions that drive real-world impact across federal programs. You will guide cross-functional teams, shape technical strategy, and mentor engineers in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with a strong background in AI/ML development, cloud platforms, and enterprise-scale systems design.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of scalable AI and ML models and systems
• Translate business requirements into technical solutions across multiple federal missions
• Oversee the AI/ML development lifecycle, including architecture design, experimentation, and performance optimization
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (DevOps, Data Engineering, Cybersecurity) to integrate AI into production environments
• Provide technical mentorship and conduct code/design reviews for junior and mid-level engineers
• Research and evaluate emerging AI/ML tools, technologies, and frameworks to drive innovation
• Ensure all solutions meet federal security, compliance, and cloud architecture standards

Requirements

• Master’s degree in AI, Machine Learning, or a related field
• Minimum of 5+ years of hands-on experience in AI/ML solution development
• Demonstrated experience leading AI/ML initiatives or technical teams
• Strong understanding of agentic AI including Transformers, Model Context Protocol, Agent2Agent Protocol, LangGraph, and other modern frameworks.
• Proficiency in Python and Typescript for application development and advanced scripting,
• Experience deploying AI solutions in AWS, Azure, or GCP environments
• Familiarity withCI/CD, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and DevOps principles
• Experience with Agile methodologies and tools (e.g., Git, Jira)
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and meet the eligibility requirements for a Public Trust clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding of data engineering and data modeling concepts
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, Zero Trust Architecture, RMF and FedRAMP compliance
• Prior experience with federal or public sector digital modernization projects
• Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma, ITIL, or service-oriented architecture (SOA) frameworks

 Salary Range: $185,000 - $215,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience, education, certifications, skills, and overall qualifications.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development