AI Application Engineer Job McLean area,Virginia USA,Software Development

Residency

All applicants must currently reside in the United States

Overview

Big Bear.ai is seeking a hands-on AI Application Engineer to help build next-generation enterprise AI applications.

You will work on an innovative AI platform that combines large language models (LLMs), AI agents, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), enterprise data integration, and dynamic user interfaces to help organizations make better decisions and automate complex business processes.

This is an opportunity to go beyond traditional chatbot development and help create configurable, domain-aware AI applications that support operational workflows, business analytics, decision-making, and enterprise automation.

We are looking for a software engineer who enjoys hands-on development, experimenting with emerging AI technologies, and turning innovative ideas into working applications.

What you will do

Design and develop full-stack AI applications using Python, REST APIs, React/Type Script, and relational databases
Build AI-powered features using LLMs, RAG, semantic search, and agent-based architectures
Develop integrations connecting AI agents with enterprise databases, APIs, documents, and business systems
Help build a configurable AI platform that supports domain-specific knowledge, reusable AI capabilities, workflow automation, and interactive user experiences
Implement and enhance data visualization, dashboards, chat interfaces, and AI-assisted business workflows
Experiment with AI frameworks, tools, and technologies to evaluate and implement new capabilities
Collaborate with solution architects, AI engineers, and domain experts to transform business requirements into working applications
Develop maintainable, tested, secure, and production-quality software using modern development practices
Leverage AI coding assistants to accelerate development while maintaining strong engineering standards
Support modernization and integration of existing applications as needed

What you need to have

3+ years of software development experience
, including hands-on backend and/or full-stack application development
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
Strong Python programming skills and experience developing REST APIs using FastAPI, Flask, or similar frameworks
Experience developing modern web applications using JavaScript/Type Script and React or comparable frontend technologies
Working knowledge of SQL and relational databases such as PostgreSQL
Practical experience developing or integrating LLM-powered applications, including RAG, AI agents, or LLM API integrations
Familiarity with modern development tools, Git, Docker, testing, and debugging
Ability to learn new frameworks quickly, solve complex technical problems, and independently deliver working software

What we'd like you to have

Experience with Lang Chain, Lang Graph, LangChain4j, or similar AI application frameworks
Experience with vector databases such as pgvector, Weaviate, or other semantic search technologies
Familiarity with AI agent tool integration, Model Context Protocol (MCP), and agent orchestration
Experience integrating multiple LLM providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, or Ask Sage
Experience with configurable platforms, workflow automation, or dynamic application interfaces
Experience with PostgreSQL, Redis, Keycloak/OAuth, and enterprise authentication
Experience with Dash/Plotly, Nx monorepos, or modernization of legacy applications
Familiarity with CI/CD, containerization, and cloud-native deployment
Experience developing software for government, defense, or other regulated environments

Pay transparency

Please note that the targeted compensation range is provided as an estimate, and any actual compensation offer may vary depending on the needs of the…