Contractor to Capability Lifecycle AI ML Engineer

Contractor Support to the Capability Lifecycle AI ML Engineer.

Norfolk, United States | Posted on 02/18/2026

Sandy Mac Evolution LLC is a Veteran-Owned company dedicated to connecting top talent with meaningful opportunities.

Contractor Support to Capability Lifecycle

Location:

Norfolk, VA (On-Site)

Pay Range: $48 – $72 per hour (based on experience and technical depth)

We are seeking a highly experienced AI/ML Engineer to support capability lifecycle analytics and decision-support initiatives within a secure enterprise environment. This role focuses on the design, development, deployment, and lifecycle management of machine learning models that support forecasting, risk analysis, performance assessment, and strategic decision-making.

This is not a prototype-only or research role. Candidates must demonstrate experience delivering production-ready AI/ML solutions in secure or regulated environments.

• Design, develop, train, validate, and deploy machine learning models supporting forecasting, readiness assessment, risk identification, and decision support
• Integrate AI/ML outputs into enterprise analytics platforms, dashboards, and reporting environments used by operational decision-makers
• Build and maintain automated data pipelines (ETL/ELT), feature engineering workflows, and data transformation processes
• Deploy and operate AI/ML solutions in secure cloud environments using scalable architectures
• Implement model lifecycle management processes including monitoring, retraining, version control, performance validation, and documentation
• Apply responsible and explainable AI practices appropriate to defense and regulated environments
• Optimize model performance, scalability, and automation of analytic workflows
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams including data engineers, analysts, and platform engineers
• Produce comprehensive technical documentation supporting operational integration
• Provide technical guidance and knowledge transfer as required

• 8+ years of progressive professional experience in data science, advanced analytics, or machine learning engineering
• Demonstrated experience designing, training, validating, and deploying AI/ML models in enterprise environments
• Experience delivering operational analytics or decision-support solutions
• Hands-on experience building automated data pipelines (ETL/ELT), feature engineering, and AI-ready data workflows
• Professional experience deploying AI/ML solutions within secure, cloud-based environments
• Experience integrating AI/ML outputs into dashboards or enterprise reporting tools used by analysts or decision-makers
• Experience managing full model lifecycle including monitoring, retraining, version control, and documentation
• Experience working in regulated or governed environments (defense, security, or highly controlled enterprise settings)
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or related quantitative field
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief technical and non-technical stakeholders

• Experience supporting defense or NATO-related initiatives
• Experience implementing responsible AI practices including transparency, bias awareness, and explainability
• Experience optimizing AI/ML solutions for performance under operational workloads
• Experience exploring emerging AI techniques such as large language models or incremental learning frameworks

• Active U.S. DoD SECRET (or higher) clearance is required
• Must be eligible to be read on to NATO Secret
• Clearance must remain active for the duration of the contract

• No benefits provided
• Hourly rate: $48 – $72 per hour based on depth of experience and demonstrated technical capability