Strategic Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineer
Computer World Services · Fort Meade
$130,000–$150,000
Jul 6, 2026
Fort Meade
Jul 21, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
This role supports DISA's cybersecurity and AI mission, with work centered on developing, implementing, and evaluating AI models across machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. Day-to-day responsibilities include technical analysis, program coordination, prototype support, and documentation. It suits an engineering or computer science professional with cybersecurity knowledge, a DoD clearance, and strong communication skills.
Mid level · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · TS/SCI clearance
Pay in the description: $130,000–$150,000
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
How this req sits in the market our data
Rare in this occupation — lead with these, and say what you built with them.
Most people in this occupation already list these. Still required — just not what gets you shortlisted.
What the occupation pays Median $135,107 (middle half $108,024–$176,763). This posting is about at that midpoint.
Estimated from BLS employment for this occupation and area, per-skill prevalence across our listing corpus, and published wage benchmarks — as of Jul 28, 2026. It is a model, not a headcount.
Why we read it this way (7)
The role is framed as an AI Engineer but the actual work is heavily program/project support and analysis for DISA — attending reviews, generating reports, creating presentations, and coordinating activities — alongside AI model development. The SOC is a judgement call between 15-2051 (Data Scientists, for the AI/ML modeling work) and 15-1299 (Computer Occupations, All Other), with 15-2051 chosen as the primary because AI model development and evaluation is the stated core technical function.
The bachelor's degree is explicitly described as 'desired,' not required, so it is not treated as a hard gate.
The clearance language states 'DoD Secret, Top Secret, or SCI clearance may be required' — the word 'may' introduces conditionality, but given the DISA/DoD context and the phrase 'may be required upon starting,' this is treated as a practical gate. TopSecretSci is used as the ceiling level stated.
DoD 8140 certifications (e.g., CEH, Security+) are listed as 'may be required upon starting,' making them conditional/preferred rather than hard gates at application time.
The posting mentions 'hybrid work may be authorized,' indicating the role is primarily on-site; remote is set to false.
The posting notes this begins as interim coverage with a possibility of long-term placement, suggesting a contract-to-hire or temporary arrangement, but the employment type is not explicitly stated in standard terms.
Requires a TS/SCI clearance — the cleared population is a small fraction of this occupation, so the real candidate pool is materially smaller than the estimate below, which does not model clearance.
Read the full posting
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