Development Operations Engineer

Become Part of the Torch.AI Journey 

Torch.AI is a defense focused AI-software company. Unlike traditional government contractors, our team of experts takes calculated risks to self-fund R&D behind the scenes and then sells complete products "off-the-shelf" to mission owners. We conduct deep research into understanding how AI and new data infrastructures can improve a growing array of national defense needs. This allows us to go from ideation to full capability deployment in weeks and months, instead of years. Today, we help improve national security, protect our warfighters, eliminate fraud, reduce risk, and enable better customer experiences. We’re passionate about solving complex problems. Join us in our mission to help organizations Unlock Human Potential.   

The U.S. defense and national security industry offers an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to the safety and well-being of the nation while engaging with cutting-edge technologies. As a vital sector that shapes global stability, it offers a dynamic environment to tackle complex challenges across multidisciplinary domains. With substantial investment in innovation, the industry is at the forefront of developing AI, autonomous systems, and advanced national security solutions, each founded on the premise that information is the new battlefield. If this type of work is of interest, we’d love to hear from you. 

The Role: Unlock Your Potential  

As a Development Operations Engineer at Torch.AI, you will play a pivotal role in building and maintaining the infrastructure and pipelines that enable Torch.AI’s platform capabilities to scale efficiently and effectively. You will work across operational and research & development efforts directly supporting U.S. defense and national security programs and projects. Each of our customers requires a tailored set of technical solutions to address challenges such as manual-intensive processes, data integration bottlenecks, and operational inefficiencies, ensuring mission-critical success. Our modular, end-to-end data infrastructure platform supports a wide variety of military functions and operations. 

We build and maintain enterprise-grade infrastructure to meet these unique needs, fostering company-wide collaboration to leverage shared knowledge, skills, and experience across diverse tools, technologies, and practices. Our platform is designed to empower solution teams to rapidly design, configure, and deploy features tailored to specific customer requirements while ensuring robust system reliability and scalability. 

In this role, you’ll work autonomously while contributing to collaborative decisions across cross-functional teams that include defense and national security experts, U.S. veterans, and skilled AI/ML, software, and data engineers. Your work will focus on implementing and optimizing deployment pipelines, cloud infrastructure, and customer environments that form the foundation of critical capabilities used by defense and intelligence agencies. You will have the opportunity to improve existing platform infrastructure, implement scalable automation, and innovate by introducing iterative enhancements that benefit Torch.AI’s IP and its customers. 

We’re looking for Development operations engineers who thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven environment. You’ll be encouraged to think creatively, challenge conventional approaches, and identify alternative approaches to delivering customer value across complex problem sets. Your day-to-day workflow will vary, adapting to the requirements of our customer and technical needs of respective use cases. One day, you may be supporting the development of a new proof of capability concept for a new customer program; another you may be refining system performance to help scale a production deployment; the next you may be working directly with customers to understand their requirements with deep intellectual curiosity.  

What Sets This Role Apart  

• Our decentralized operating model puts every employee at the forefront of our customers’ missions. You’ll work within and across small customer-account solutions teams and product development teams.  
• We value customer intimacy, unique perspectives, and dedication to delivering lasting impact and results. You’ll have the opportunity to work on the frontlines of major customer programs and influence lasting success for Torch.AI and your teammates. 
• You’ll have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, from designing and demonstrating early capabilities and prototypes to deploying large-scale production systems.  
• You’ll directly contribute in helping Torch.AI continue to position as a leader in data infrastructure AI in the market and compete against multi-billion dollar incumbents and high-tech AI companies.  
• We develop solutions directly supporting our nation’s warfighters and national security and prosperity; the impact of your work is directly visible. 

Critical Skills  

• B.S. or M.S. degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. 
• 5 to 10 years of experience in software or data engineering. 
• Proven ability to manage application development across production stages (e.g., development, staging). 
• Expertise in configuring and maintaining cloud infrastructure. 
• Proficiency in building and maintaining deployment pipelines using Azure DevOps, Git CI/CD, or Travis CI. 
• Hands-on experience with containerized applications (Kubernetes and Docker). 
• Skilled in Infrastructure as Code tooling (Terraform, CloudFormation, Ansible). 
• Experience managing monitoring, logging, and alerting systems. 
• Eligible for Top Secret security clearance. 
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail. 
• Ability to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams, including Data Scientists, Data Analysts, and Product Managers. 

What We Value 

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to adapt to evolving client needs. 
• Subject matter expertise and proven success within the market segment. 
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to stakeholders. 
• Commitment to ethical considerations and responsible AI practices. 
• Experience with relational databases (Postgres) and graph or vector databases (Neo4J, ArangoDB, Weaviate). 
• Familiarity with deploying machine learning models on GPUs. 
• Knowledge of Identity Management and authorization systems. 
• Proficiency in scripting languages like Python and shell scripting. 
• Understanding of observability stacks (Prometheus, Loki, Tempo, FluentBit, Grafana, ELK stack, OpenTelemetry). 
• Ability to design, implement, and maintain scalable solutions with optimal performance and reliability. 

Professional Ambiance  

• This role thrives in a cutting-edge, high-performance workspace. 
• The base of operations is located in our Leawood, KS hub, with occasional opportunities for a flexible hybrid/remote work arrangement. 

Equity Program  

• Employee Equity Pool: All employees are eligibility to participate in the company equity incentive program within their first 12 months of employment. We are proud to say that we have a 100% participation rate amongst existing employees.  

Incentives and Advantages 

• Competitive salary, performance bonus, and benefits package.  
• Opportunity to participate in Torch.AI’s employee equity incentive program. 
• Unlimited PTO. 
• 11 paid holidays each year. 
• Dynamic and energetic teammates. 
• Incredible chance for professional advancement in a rapidly scaling high-tech environment. 
• Weekly in-office catering in our Leawood HQ. 
• Access to company entertainment suite at the Kansas City T-Mobile Center, with tickets to all major events and concerts. 
• Exceptional medical, dental, and vision insurance. 
• Company sponsored life and disability coverage. 
• Relocation benefits. 

Torch.AI is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability. 

These positions are being reviewed and filled on a rolling basis, and multiple openings may be available for each role.