Expert Systems Engineer

Description

Markon is seeking an Expert Systems Engineer to support an Intelligence Community client in Chantilly, Virginia. This position will provide strategic program management and Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support across multiple concurrent Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) and data analytics initiatives within a mission-critical intelligence environment.

The Systems Engineer will interface with senior government leadership, coordinate cross-functional technical teams and vendors, guide complex projects from concept through deployment, and provide technical support for government contracting and acquisition activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide program management and SETA leadership across multiple concurrent AI/ML and data analytics projects.
• Establish and manage project scope, metrics, roadmaps, schedules, and deliverables.
• Coordinate and facilitate Technical Exchange Meetings (TEMs) with government stakeholders, development teams, and vendors.
• Lead cross-divisional coordination and serve as a liaison between front-office leadership and technical teams.
• Document workflows, processes, and requirements and prioritize requirements with program teams using Agile methodologies.
• Maintain action-item tracking and ensure appropriate follow-through across projects and stakeholders.
• Develop senior leadership briefings, strategic plans, CONOPS, A&A documentation, risk metrics, and program tracking systems.
• Create and maintain knowledge repositories using Confluence and HIVE, along with appropriate distribution lists.
• Coordinate vendor activities across multiple contracts, identify and remove blockers, and maintain alignment with program objectives.
• Provide technical support and guidance to Contracting Officer’s Technical Representatives (COTRs) on contract performance and technical matters.
• Test and evaluate developing AI/ML platforms and capabilities to assess functionality, technical performance, and readiness.
• Support demonstrations, training sessions, and outreach activities.
• Analyze project data and establish user-feedback mechanisms to inform development priorities and decision-making.
• Identify project risks and develop and monitor mitigation strategies.
• Support meeting documentation using transcription and AI-assisted summarization tools.
• Monitor and close division administrative actions and process access requests and security documentation.
• Coordinate weekly division meetings, including comprehensive action tracking and follow-up.
• Prepare division highlights for senior leadership reporting and front-office coordination.
• Provide direct support to Division leadership while maintaining awareness of AI/ML projects across the organization.
• Mentor junior personnel and interns.

Qualifications

Required:

• Active TS/SCI clearance with FS polygraph is required to be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 12+ years of relevant experience in engineering, program management, or SETA support.
• Proven ability to interface with senior government leadership and support decision-making that has a critical impact on project implementation.
• Strong experience with Agile methodologies and sprint-based development practices.
• Understanding of software and system development lifecycles (SDLC).
• Experience with AI/ML technologies, including familiarity with machine-learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and scikit-learn.
• Understanding of deep-learning concepts and architectures.
• Personal and professional experience utilizing Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Experience integrating AI/ML models with larger systems.
• Experience supporting AI/ML project development, including UI/UX development, requirements capture, and full project lifecycle management from concept through deployment.
• Experience documenting workflows and processes based on stakeholder requirements.
• Knowledge of requirements gathering, analysis, and prioritization methodologies.
• Knowledge of government contracting and acquisition processes, including FAR, OTA, COTR responsibilities, and contract management/administration.
• Experience providing technical support and guidance to COTRs.
• Experience analyzing project risks and developing and monitoring mitigation strategies.
• Experience supporting projects involving diverse stakeholders, including technical teams, project managers, customers, and end users.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor technical information for technical and executive audiences.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, facilitation, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Ability to collect and analyze data and produce visualizations supporting decision-making.
• Proficiency with collaboration and knowledge-management tools, including:
  • Confluence
  • HIVE
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
• Experience developing technical presentations and briefings, CONOPS, and Assessment and Authorization (A&A) documentation.

Desired:

• Experience with cloud computing platforms, particularly AWS, as well as Google Cloud.
• Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies, including Docker and Kubernetes.
• Knowledge of DevOps practices, including:
  • Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD).
  • Version-control systems such as Git.
  • DevSecOps principles.
• Proficiency with collaboration and knowledge-management tools, including:
  • SharePoint.
  • Microsoft Project
• Familiarity with data analytics platforms, enterprise data architectures, and ETL processes.
• Experience with large-scale data processing, including distributed computing frameworks and NoSQL databases such as MongoDB and Cassandra.
• Experience managing SETA support for software development efforts.
• Familiarity with intelligence analysis workflows and targeting tools.
• Experience coordinating multiple concurrent vendor contracts.
• Experience mentoring and developing interns.
• Project/program management certifications or training such as:
  • Project Management Professional (PMP).
  • Scrum Master.
  • Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP).

Salary Range

USD $170,000.00 - USD $200,000.00 /Yr.

The Markon pay range for this position is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
Overview

Eager to join a team where your skills are valued, your growth is nurtured, and your impact is profound? Look no further than Markon, a premier consulting firm deeply dedicated to advancing our nation's most critical missions.

At Markon, we don't just offer jobs – we offer opportunities for personal and professional transformation. Empowering our employees to lead, innovate, and excel, we foster an environment where new ideas are not just welcomed but celebrated. As a perennial Washington Post Top Workplace, we prioritize the well-being and success of our team members, ensuring they can bring their best selves to work.

Headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, Markon has garnered national recognition for our unwavering dedication to excellence in serving the intelligence community, as well as federal civilian and defense agencies. Our growing reach extends across 17 states, 116 countries, and 5 continents, where our team of dynamic professionals collaborates to deliver unparalleled program and project management services.

Markon values people and the tremendous impact each individual can make – which is why we’re consistently recognized as one of the best places to work in federal government consulting. Here, you can help solve the nation’s most important challenges, surrounded by colleagues who help you grow, advance, and succeed. We are deeply dedicated to what matters – bringing out the best in each other to advance our clients’ missions.

Join us and make a meaningful impact.

Markon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Benefits Offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Training and Tuition Assistance, Paid Time Off, and Holidays