**This position is contingent on contract award**
We are Skyward.
That is, a love for people, for improvement, for human advancement through information technology. We are a people-centered business with a desire to serve others. We are diverse and unified; creative and collaborative; a collection of complementary, not competing talents. And though on the surface we remain relaxed, beneath, a torrent of energy links us to our civic tech mission.
We stand by our values, and we won't compromise on any of them.
Integrity: We're conscientious, intentional, and empathetic. Our words and actions align. That's our character. Please don't ask us to play another part, we're poor actors.Compassionate: If we may borrow a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care." Because our team is thoughtful and supportive, caring deeply for each other, our clients, and our work, this comes naturally.Inquisitive: We remain students by failing openly and turning lessons into solutions.Unconventional: For us, life isn't what happens outside of work. Work happens inside of life and our culture erases the line often dividing the two.Authentic: Made possible only because we embody the values listed above. We're relaxed and fun yet intensely curious and driven. Team members are placed with thought, care, and precision to ensure that Trust, Truth, and Transparency continue to represent our brand.
Because of that, we continue Onward, Upward, and Skyward.
We need an AI/ML Tech Lead.Are you someone who is drawn to impactful, mission driven work for federal agencies? Do you love pushing the boundaries of innovation in government technology, ensuring that AI is used ethically, effectively, and efficiently to serve the public good?
We want you on our team if you're driven by curiosity, authenticity, and forward-thinking innovation. Here, you'll find a culture that values your ideas, empowers your growth, and gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Don't wait-apply today!
Let's go Skyward together.

What you'll do:

• Guide a multidisciplinary team of AI/ML engineers, data engineers, and software developers to design, deploy, and operationalize AI-driven solutions for federal clients.
• Lead AI strategy and technical vision for government AI/ML implementations.
• Architect scalable, secure, and explainable AI solutions that meet federal standards.
• Collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and policy experts to integrate AI with existing IT ecosystems.
• Ensure compliance with federal AI policies, ethical guidelines, and cybersecurity mandates.
• Advocate for MLOps best practices, including model monitoring, retraining, and governance.
• Engage with clients to translate mission needs into AI-driven capabilities.
• Stay ahead of AI advancements and advise leadership on emerging trends.

What we'd like you to have:

• Experience in machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, or related AI fields.
• Background in leading technical teams and AI project implementations.
• Experience deploying AI models in cloud environments (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, GCP), on-premises, or hybrid setups.
• Understanding of MLOps practices including CI/CD pipelines, model monitoring, and automated retraining.
• Knowledge of AI ethics, bias mitigation, and explainability techniques.
• Familiarity with federal AI regulations and frameworks (e.g., Executive Order on AI, NIST AI RMF).
• Knowledge of FISMA, FedRAMP, or other relevant security standards.
• Proficiency in Python and experience with ML frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar.
• Communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.

What would blow us away:

• You have experience with large language models (LLMs), foundation models, and fine-tuning.
• Your knowledge of generative AI applications in government contexts.
• Your previous experience working with federal agencies (DoD, DHS, VA, HHS, etc.).
• Your background in AI system architecture design for complex enterprise environments.

Even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. At Skyward, we're focused on hiring individuals with the right skills and passion to grow, not just checking off every box.

And now the important part. What we offer you:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance (fully paid for employees)
• 15 days of paid leave
• 7 days of sick leave
• 2 days bereavement leave
• 11 paid Federal holidays
• Up to 40 hours for jury duty
• 401K with 4% employer contribution (and no vesting period)
• Up to 4 weeks of paid paternity and maternity leave
• Company provided laptop
• $5,000 per year for professional development
• $600 per year for technical supplies and equipment
• $2,000 referral bonus
• Life and disability insurance
• HSA and FSA
• Legal Shield and ID Shield Voluntary Benefits
• Opportunity to work in a collaborative, motivated team focused on modernizing government services with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Who says government work can't be exciting!

At Skyward, we believe diverse teams are the key to innovation and success. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment where everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or background, can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
We support flexible working hours and remote opportunities to help maintain a healthy work-life balance for all employees, including caregivers and those with unique needs.
Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance due to the nature of our work as a government contractor.
Offers of employment with Skyward are contingent upon acceptable results of a background investigation.PDN-9e5d3aad-1abd-42ce-9927-38378f37d5c2