Full-Time

AI IC Mission Engineer

Spear AI

Spear AI

51-200 employees

AI-enabled defense software and maritime sensors

No salary listed

No H1B Sponsorship

Washington, DC, USA

In Person

US Top Secret Clearance Required

Category
AI & Machine Learning (2)
,
Required Skills
Scikit-learn
Python
Tensorflow
R
Neural Networks
Pytorch
Machine Learning
Requirements
  • 5+ years of AI/ML engineering experience
  • Active TS/SCI clearance with ability to obtain CI Polygraph required
  • Strong background in machine learning, deep learning, and statistical modeling
  • Experience with AI/ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, etc.)
  • Understanding of IC mission domains and operational environments
  • Proficiency in Python, R, or similar data science languages
  • Knowledge of data preprocessing, feature engineering, and model evaluation techniques
Responsibilities
  • Design and develop AI/ML models for IC-specific use cases
  • Collaborate with mission partners to understand operational requirements
  • Implement model training, validation, and deployment pipelines
  • Conduct performance analysis and optimization of AI systems
  • Support integration of AI capabilities into existing IC workflows
  • Participate in technical reviews and capability demonstrations
  • Maintain awareness of emerging AI technologies and their mission applications
  • Ensure AI solutions meet security and compliance requirements
Desired Qualifications
  • AWS experience highly preferred but not required
  • Military experience strongly preferred

Spear AI builds AI and machine-learning tools for national security and maritime missions. Its Horizon AI Platform labels and manages acoustic data, while Forerunner handles edge AI processing and it also offers field-ready maritime sensors; combined with consulting services on AI strategy and data pipelines, the company provides a deployable hardware-software stack. The solutions help operators interpret passive acoustics to distinguish background sounds from potential threats, improving decision-making and situational awareness in challenging maritime environments. The team’s Navy background and focus on defense use set it apart, aiming to support Navy and allied operations with reliable, integrated tools for detection, data management, and edge computing.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$2.3M

Headquarters

Washington DC, District of Columbia

Founded

2022

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • U.S. Navy $6M contract validates Horizon for acoustic processing.
  • $2.3M seed from Cortical Ventures doubles workforce to 80.
  • NAICS 541715 R&D positions for diverse defense opportunities.

What critics are saying

  • Palantir's Gotham erodes Spear's Navy AI contracts within 12 months.
  • Anduril's Lattice displaces Forerunner sensors in 6 months.
  • CMMC 2.0 Level 3 disqualifies Spear from contracts by January 2026.

What makes Spear AI unique

  • Horizon AI Platform labels acoustic data for submarine threat detection.
  • Forerunner enables real-time edge AI processing on naval platforms.
  • OMEGA Simulator applies reinforcement learning to maritime missions.

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Benefits

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Paid Sick Leave

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

11 Paid Holidays

Professional Development Budget

Remote Work Options

Flexible Work Hours

Hybrid Work Options

401(k) Company Match

Relocation Assistance

Employee Referral Bonus

Performance Bonus

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Home Office Stipend

Professional Certification Support

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

5%

1 year growth

7%

2 year growth

5%
intelligence360
Aug 11th, 2025
Spear AI Secures Seed Funding Round

Spear AI announced the completion of its seed funding round with investments from Scare the Bear Capital and Cortical Ventures. The funding will help expand Spear AI's product portfolio, scale its Horizon platform, and enhance maritime sensor capabilities. The company aims to accelerate delivery of AI solutions to defense and commercial partners, focusing on transforming maritime data into actionable intelligence.

readmagazine.com
Jul 28th, 2025
Spear AI Secures Seed Funding from Scare the Bear Capital and Cortical Ventures to Accelerate Maritime AI Solutions and Expand Technical Services

Spear AI secures seed funding from Scare the Bear Capital and Cortical Ventures to accelerate maritime AI solutions and expand technical services.

Tekedia
Jul 27th, 2025
Navy Veterans' Startup Spear AI Raises $2.3M, Wins $6M Navy Contract to Revolutionize Underwater Surveillance with AI

In parallel, Spear AI announced a $2.3 million seed funding round backed by venture capital firms with a focus on artificial intelligence and national defense technologies.

TechStartups.com
Jul 25th, 2025
Spear AI raises $2.3M to bring AI-powered threat detection to U.S. Navy submarines

Spear AI, an AI startup based in Washington, has secured $2.3 million in its first outside funding round to accelerate its work decoding underwater sounds using artificial intelligence, Reuters reported.

VC News Daily
Jul 25th, 2025
Spear AI Completes Seed Funding Round

Spear AI, a developer of maritime artificial intelligence solutions based in Washington, DC, has successfully completed its seed funding round.