Senior Software Engineer, Advanced AI Research – Prototyping

Job Description:
• Architect and develop advanced software systems that support cutting-edge AI research and experimental prototypes.
• Collaborate closely with scientists and researchers to translate novel algorithms, models, and concepts into functional prototype systems.
• Design and implement flexible research platforms that enable rapid experimentation, evaluation, and iteration.
• Contribute to the development of innovative AI-enabled capabilities across domains such as human–AI teaming, synthetic media analysis, influence modeling, and agent-based systems.
• Lead the design and implementation of software architectures for complex research prototypes, including APIs, data pipelines, model integration layers, and evaluation frameworks.
• Build modular and extensible systems that allow Aptima researchers and external collaborators to rapidly integrate new models, analytics, and experimental capabilities.
• Balance rapid research iteration with maintainable and well-structured engineering practices.
• Support experimentation with emerging AI approaches including agentic systems and multimodal analytics.
• Implement and integrate machine learning and AI models within experimental systems and research testbeds to support internal evaluation and integration with external systems for large-scale evaluation experiments and demonstrations.
• Develop workflows that support model training, evaluation, experimentation, and comparative analysis.
• Develop containerized research environments using tools such as Docker to support reproducible experimentation.
• Assist in preparing prototype systems for technology demonstrations with sponsors such as DARPA, DoW laboratories, and operational partners.
• Provide technical leadership on R&D projects, helping shape system architectures and technical approaches, and collaborating with engineering leadership across the company.
• Work across multidisciplinary teams including AI researchers, cognitive scientists, and engineers.
• Mentor junior engineers and research staff on software architecture, engineering practices, and scalable research infrastructure.
• Participate in customer engagements, technical reviews, demonstrations, and collaborative research activities.

Requirements:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, AI/ML, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
• 6+ years of professional software engineering experience developing complex technical systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python and modern software engineering practices.
• Experience building complex research prototypes or experimental systems.
• Familiarity with AI/ML technologies and integrating models into software systems.
• Experience architecting modular software systems and designing APIs or service-based architectures.
• Hands-on experience with containerization (e.g., Docker) or reproducible research environments.
• Ability to work in ambiguous, exploratory environments and translate evolving research ideas into working software.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with researchers, engineers, and external partners.
• Willingness to travel to support integration, demonstration, or customer activities.

Benefits: