Generative AI Specialist / AI & ML Developer
Peraton · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $175,500 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Develops advanced generative AI solutions for national security.
- Utilizes LLMs, agentic AI, and prompt engineering.
- Integrates AI into DoD systems via APIs.
- Researches emerging AI techniques and implements responsible AI.
- Supports high-impact Internal Research and Development initiatives.
About the role
About Peraton
Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees solve the most daunting challenges that our customers face. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.
Program Overview
Leading provider of Information Operations (IO) and Irregular Warfare (IW) capabilities to the U.S. government. Integrates Information Related Capabilities (IRC) across multiple domains, environments, and geographic boundaries, supporting both domestic and overseas operation via Information Operations planners, intelligence analysts, cultural advisors, and linguists
About The Role
Peraton is seeking an experienced Generative AI Specialist to support high-impact Internal Research and Development (IRAD) initiatives focused on AI/ML-driven platforms for Operations in the Information Environment (OIE). This role is central to delivering advanced generative AI capabilities supporting COCOM information operations across CENTCOM, NORTHCOM, INDOPACOM, AFRICOM, and EUCOM. You will drive innovation in LLMs, agentic AI workflows, and generative AI application development—directly influencing Peraton's competitive position in the defense AI landscape.
Responsibilities:
- Design and optimize generative AI solutions using GPT 4, Claude, Gemini, and Azure OpenAI, including prompt engineering, fine-tuning, and retrieval augmented generation (RAG).
- Implement agentic LLM architectures with structured output (JSON/GeoJSON), chain-of-thought/chain-of-debate methods, and multi-agent orchestration.
- Build and maintain prompt libraries, evaluation frameworks, and QA pipelines for defense-grade AI content.
- Integrate generative AI into existing platforms via well-documented APIs, ensuring interoperability with DoD systems including Maven, C2IE, and IRIS.
- Research emerging generative AI techniques including multimodal models, synthetic data generation, and AI-assisted analysis for information operations.
- Translate COCOM operational requirements into deployable AI solutions; support TTX events and platform demonstrations.
- Implement responsible AI practices including bias detection, validation, hallucination mitigation, and HITL workflows.
- Support MVP-aligned milestone delivery, contributing to TRL progression and ROI measurement.
- Document novel prompting techniques, model configurations, and workflows that may constitute IP or trade secrets.
Key Technologies & Platforms:
- GPT 5, Claude, Gemini, Azure OpenAI Service, LangChain, LlamaIndex, Hugging Face Transformers, Python, Pinecone, ChromaDB, Weaviate, pgvector, AWS, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, REST APIs, JSON/GeoJSON, Plotly, D3.js, IRIS, Maven, C2IE, OMEGA, FedRAMP IL2-4.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a related technical field + 5 years relevant experience. An additional 4 years will be considered in lieu of the bachelor's degree requirement.
- 3+ years in software development or data science, including 2+ years focused on generative AI, LLMs, or NLP.
- Hands-on experience with foundation models (GPT 4, Claude, Gemini, Llama, Mistral) including prompt engineering, few-shot learning, fine-tuning, and API integration.
- Strong Python skills; experience with LangChain, LlamaIndex, Hugging Face, OpenAI/Anthropic APIs.
- Experience building RAG systems using vector databases (Pinecone, Weaviate, ChromaDB, pgvector).
- Cloud experience (AWS, Azure) and deploying AI/ML models in production environments.
- Understanding of AI safety, hallucination mitigation, bias reduction, and prompt-injection protection.
- Experience with Git, CI/CD, and DevSecOps practices.
- U.S. citizenship required.
- Ability to obtain Secret and final TS/SCI security clearances.
- Current, valid U.S. passport for potential OCONUS travel.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree.
- Experience with agentic AI architectures, multi-agent workflows, and LLM tool-use.
- Hands-on experience with fine-tuning, RLHF, DPO, LoRA/QLoRA.
- Familiarity with multimodal models and defense/intelligence applications.
- Experience with IRIS, OMEGA, or similar operational platforms.
- Background supporting IO, PSYOP, influence analysis, or COCOM operations.
- Knowledge of MLOps, A/B testing, and LLM evaluation frameworks (RAGAS, DeepEval).
- Experience with synthetic data generation, simulation, or Monte Carlo methods.
- Understanding of geospatial data formats (GeoJSON, KML) and visualization tools (Plotly, D3.js).
- Strong communication skills for technical-to-nontechnical translation and customer demos.
- Relevant cloud/AI certifications (AWS, Azure, Google, DeepLearning.AI).
Key Technologies & Platforms:
- GPT 5, Claude, Gemini, Azure OpenAI Service, LangChain, LlamaIndex, Hugging Face Transformers, Python, Pinecone, ChromaDB, Weaviate, pgvector, AWS, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, REST APIs, JSON/GeoJSON, Plotly, D3.js, IRIS, Maven, C2IE, OMEGA, FedRAMP IL2-4.
Details
Target Salary Range:
$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
Benefits Statement:
Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed at https://www.careers.peraton.com/benefits.
Application Statements:
The application period for the job is estimated to be 30 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in the role and the Company. During the review of your application, you may be required to participate in an on-camera interview, as well as participate in a process to verify your identity.
EEO:
Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.
Key skills/competency
- Generative AI Specialist
- AI & ML Developer
- Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Prompt Engineering
- Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)
- Agentic AI
- Python Development
- Vector Databases
- Cloud Platforms (AWS, Azure)
- Responsible AI
Skills & topics
- Generative AI
- AI Developer
- ML Developer
- LLM
- Prompt Engineering
- RAG
- Python
- Cloud AI
- National Security
- Remote Job
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight generative AI, LLM, and Python experience. Quantify achievements in AI/ML development and RAG systems.
- Showcase technical skills: Emphasize expertise with foundation models, vector databases, and cloud platforms like AWS/Azure.
- Address security requirements: Clearly state U.S. citizenship and willingness to obtain Secret/TS/SCI clearances.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss AI safety, hallucination mitigation, and integrating AI into defense systems.
- Demonstrate domain knowledge: Highlight any experience with Information Operations, COCOM operations, or related defense applications.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the work arrangement for the Generative AI Specialist / AI & ML Developer role at Peraton?
- The Generative AI Specialist / AI & ML Developer position at Peraton is a remote role, offering flexibility in your work location.
- What are the key responsibilities for a Generative AI Specialist at Peraton?
- As a Generative AI Specialist at Peraton, you will design and optimize generative AI solutions, implement agentic LLM architectures, build prompt libraries and QA pipelines, integrate AI into existing platforms, research emerging AI techniques, and ensure responsible AI practices are followed.
- What are the minimum qualifications for the Generative AI Specialist / AI & ML Developer role?
- Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in a technical field with 5 years of relevant experience (or equivalent experience), 3+ years in software development/data science with 2+ years in generative AI/LLMs/NLP, hands-on experience with foundation models, strong Python skills, experience with vector databases, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), and an understanding of AI safety principles. U.S. citizenship is also required.
- What programming languages and technologies are essential for this role at Peraton?
- Strong Python skills are essential, along with experience in frameworks like LangChain and LlamaIndex. Familiarity with foundation models (GPT 4, Claude, Gemini, Llama, Mistral), vector databases (Pinecone, Weaviate, ChromaDB, pgvector), and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) is crucial.
- Does Peraton offer benefits for this Generative AI Specialist role?
- Yes, Peraton offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, HSA, disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), PTO, and paid holidays. You can view the full list at careers.peraton.com/benefits.
- What is the estimated salary range for the Generative AI Specialist / AI & ML Developer position?
- The target salary range for this position at Peraton is $135,000 to $216,000 annually, determined by various factors including experience, skills, and location.
- What security clearances are required for the Generative AI Specialist role at Peraton?
- U.S. citizenship is required, and candidates must be able to obtain Secret and final TS/SCI security clearances. A current U.S. passport is also needed for potential overseas travel.