Principal AI/ML Engineer (Large Language Model) (TS/SCI) {S}

ARKA Group L.P. (“ARKA”) is an advanced technologies company serving the U.S. military, intelligence community, and commercial space industry delivering next-generation solutions to support the national security space enterprise. Built on more than six decades of excellence, ARKA brings modern approaches and a culture of innovation to the challenges of today.
Join the ARKA team to learn how Beyond Begins Here. Discover your next career opportunity now!
Position Overview
The Principal AI/ML Engineer will support the development of AI/ML algorithms in a multitude of disciplines from object detection/classification, natural language processing, reinforcement learning, and large language models.
We offer generous relocation benefits for eligible candidates.
In support of work/life balance, many positions are available for a flexible schedule within the pay period. Ask us about the opportunity for flex scheduling if that’s of interest to you.
Responsibilities
Lead and mentor a multidisciplined team consisting of developers and researchers to implement machine learning algorithms to solve a broad set of challenges for our various customers

Apply Large Language Models (LLMs) to a variety of applications within remote sensing such as tasking collections, identifying gaps in collection plans, analyzing patterns of life, and more.
Fine tune foundation models and building adaptors for new applications (llama factory, PEFT)
Apply retrieval augmented generation (RAG) techniques to data to populate and query vector databases (e.g. Weaviate)
Build custom applications with LLM frameworks such as LangChain, DSPy
Deploy LLM solutions across cloud-based and local resources using kubernetes (llama.ccp, vllm etc)
Analyze large multi-domain datasets such as images, text and/or graph data, to identify statistically relevant features to build models that provide analysts with actionable data
Review relevant publications to understand and apply cutting edge concepts to defense and commercial applications
Interface with both internal and external leadership to communicate technical status
Required Qualifications

BS in machine learning, computer science, mathematics, or related fields.
10+ years of experience, preferably in software development or as a data scientist with 2+ years of building LLM applications using some of the following:
Fine-tuning foundational models
Steering Techniques (e.g Sparse auto encoders, representation tuning)
Building adapters to use foundational models (e.g. PEFT, llama factory)
Prompt engineering techniques / Inference time techniques (e.g. chain of thought, tree of thoughts, etc.)
Using Retrieval Augmented Generation techniques to populate and query vector databases (e.g. Weaviate, pinecone)
Using LLM Frameworks (e.g. LangChain, DSPy)
Using AI APIs ( e.g AWS Bedrock, OpenAI)
Using LLM deployment frameworks (eg llama.cpp, vllm, tgi)
Developing UIs with ReAct
Experience leading an interdisciplinary team of researchers and software developers and working with a program manager to define project scope and schedule to ensure we meet project milestones as defined by our customers
Experience with Python and data science / machine learning libraries (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, OpenCV, NumPy, Pandas, Polars, scikit-learn, etc.)
Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance Preferred Qualifications

MS or PhD in machine learning, computer science, mathematics, or related fields.
Experience leading an interdisciplinary team of researchers and software developers
Experience with any of the following Computer Vision domains:
Large Language Models and experience identifying ways to incorporate them into new areas and applications
Applying Transformer-based architectures to domains in other areas outside of Natural Language Processing (NLP) such as computer vision
Object detection algorithms such as YOLO and Faster-RCNN
Natural Language Processing algorithms such as BERT
Generative Adversarial Networks and Variational Autoencoders
Reinforcement learning and familiarity with Gymnasium Gym, RLlib, and Stable Baselines
Applying clustering algorithms and/or deep neural networks to real life problems
Implementing tracking and pattern-of-life algorithms
Experience with Machine Learning libraries and frameworks such as HuggingFace and LangChain
Experience with Computer Vision libraries such as OpenCV, Nerfstudio, FiftyOne, etc.
Experience with Linux
Familiarity with using AWS cloud computing resources such as EC2, S3, Lambda, etc.
Experience with any of the following additional languages: Java, C++, Rust, Go, and/or C#
Experience implementing algorithms on the GPU in Python or C++ using CUDA and other CUDA libraries
Experience with implementing tracking and pattern-of-life algorithms
Experience in application deployment, virtualization, and containerization (e.g. Podman, Docker, Kubernetes, Rancher)
Experience working with various Remote Sensing datasets (e.g. EO/OPIR/SAR images, passive RF, etc.)
Experience shaping and writing proposals Location: King of Prussia, PA
Situated less than an hour outside of Philadelphia and hosting the largest mall on the east coast, King of Prussia offers the urban feel sought in the city, while also giving opportunities to experience the beauty and history found only in Pennsylvania.
What We Offer

Comprehensive medical/vision/dental insurance packages
Company contributions to qualified HSA accounts
401k retirement plan with industry leading company contributions
3 weeks of vacation accrual per year plus time off for sick leave and unscheduled life events
13 paid holidays
Upfront tuition assistance for approved degree programs
Annual bonus program based on company and employee performance
Company paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance
4 weeks paid Parental Leave
Employee assistance program (EAP)
EHS/Environmental Requirements
This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to use hands to keyboard, communicate, listen to, and interpret instructions and remain stationary for extended periods of the time. This would require the ability to move around the campus and occasionally move/lift items weighing up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Applicants are invited to apply for a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job. To apply, send a request to staffing@arka.org or contact 203-797-5000 and press 2 for Human Resources.
ITC & Security Clearance Requirements
This position requires an active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance.
Visa Restrictions
No visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Pre-employment Screenings
Employment with any ARKA companies in the U.S. is contingent upon satisfactory completion of several pre-employment requirements to include a credit check, background check, and drug screen.