NGA AI/ML Architect

RESPONSIBILITIES 

The AI/ML Architect will be responsible for end-to-end operationalization of machine learning models within a secure, agentic AI framework and the NGA enterprise. Some specific tasks will include:

• Refine the end-to-end agentic systems architecture, spanning orchestration, messaging, reasoning, validation, and governance.
• Set technical direction for multi-agent frameworks and ensure alignment with NGA CORE, AGAIM, GREAT, and FedRAMP/NIST compliance frameworks.
• Drive adoption of standardized protocols (FIPA ACL, KQML) and event-driven architectures (AWS EventBridge) for agent-to-agent (A2A) coordination.
• Oversee the reference architecture for models, constraint-handling, and human-in-the-loop (HITL) checkpoints.
• Ensure secure, auditable collaboration between agents using Model Context Protocol (MCP).
• Architect traceability-by-design, enabling telemetry capture (logs, metrics, decisions, outcomes) into compliance dashboards.
• Lead alignment of the architecture with NGA governance standards, ATO readiness, and IC/DoD data assurance requirements.
• Technical Leadership of cross-functional teams of AI/ML engineers, data scientists, MLOps, and QA in delivering integrated agentic systems.
• Mentor technical staff, establish architecture review boards, and enforce coding, testing, and compliance standards.
• Engage directly with NGA, DoD, and mission stakeholders to translate requirements into architectural roadmaps.
• Serve as the principle technical advisor during design reviews, proposal development, and industry engagements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility 
• 3+ years of experience designing, training, validating, and deploying ML models (especially computer vision, geospatial analytics, or time-series)
• Experience supporting NGA. Knowledge of NGA architectures at enterprise, system and program levels
• Proficiency in Python, PyTorch/TensorFlow, and ML lifecycle tools (MLflow, Kubeflow, Airflow)
• Experience building data/model ingestion pipelines, metadata registries, and automated scoring/benchmarking frameworks
• Familiarity with containerized deployment (Docker/Kubernetes), REST APIs, and distributed architectures (e.g., AWS EventBridge).
• Working knowledge of model governance, explainable AI (XAI) methods, and regulatory/compliance constraints for AI in secure environments

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Master's or Ph.D. in AI/ML, Data Science, or related field
• Experience implementing:
  • Drift detection algorithms and active retraining loops
  • Reporter agents and automated reporting dashboards
  • Closed-loop validation pipelines with feedback from human analysts
• Familiarity with Model Context Protocol (MCP), Agent-to-Agent (A2A) communications, and multi-agent orchestration frameworks
• Experience with geospatial/imagery data and NGA tradecraft

We are seeking an NGA AI/ML Architect to support National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Artificial Intelligence (AI) efforts. This architect/engineer will play an important role on a team creating technical solutions for multiple AI challenge, by leveraging deep technical skills with a knowledge of the NGA architecture at enterprise, system and program levels.

TekSynap is a fast-growing high-tech company that understands both the pace of technology today and the need to have a comprehensive well planned information management environment. "Technology moving at the speed of thought" embodies these principles – the need to nimbly utilize the best that information technology offers to meet the business needs of our Federal Government customers.

We offer our full-time employees a competitive benefits package to include health, dental, vision, 401K, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability plans, vacation time and holidays.

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The safety and health of our employees is of the utmost importance. Employees are required to comply with any vaccination requirements mandated by contract, applicable law or regulation.

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WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Location: Reston, Virginia and/or remote. Occasional travel within the National Capital Region (NCR)
• Type of environment: Varies
• Noise level: Low
• Work schedule: "Normal work hours" constitute on average 8 hours a day, 40 hours per week (excluding breaks and meal periods) within standard operational hours occurring , Monday-Friday, excluding Federal holidays. May be requested to work evenings and weekends to meet program and contract needs.
• Amount of Travel: 10%

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle, feel, touch; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is regularly required to lift up to 10 pounds. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 25 pounds; and up to 50 pounds. The vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK AUTHORIZATION/SECURITY CLEARANCE

U.S. Citizenship

Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility 

OTHER INFORMATION

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

TekSynap is a drug-free workplace. We reserve the right to conduct drug testing in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. All employees and candidates may be subject to drug screening if deemed necessary to ensure a safe and compliant working environment.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. TekSynap does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as "protected status"). This nondiscrimination policy extends to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment as well as the use of all company facilities, participation in all company-sponsored activities, and all employment actions such as promotions, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.