Data Science & AI: Data Scientist​/AI Engineer

Support to Data Science & AI:
Data Scientist/AI Engineer

Norfolk, United States | Posted on 10/14/2025

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

This opportunity is open only to individuals who currently hold an active U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) or NATO security clearance at the required level. Engagement will be under a 1099 / Business-to-Business (B2B) contractual arrangement — not a W-2 employment position.
As this is a B2B / 1099 engagement, benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans are not provided. Contractors are responsible for managing their own taxes, insurance, and other business obligations in accordance with federal and state requirements.

An advanced AI specialist with a degree in artificial intelligence, computer science, or software engineering, and direct experience developing, deploying, and maintaining AI solutions in secure environments. The ideal candidate has practical expertise in natural language processing, computer vision, reinforcement learning, or predictive analytics, tailored for defense or intelligence applications.

They should be capable of designing algorithms, training AI models, and ensuring ethical and secure use of AI within NATO frameworks. Prior NATO government AI project experience is highly desirable, with an emphasis on integrating AI tools into command and control systems, wargames, or decision-support platforms.

Search Focus: AI engineers with secure defense project experience and expertise in advanced ML/AI applications.

• Design, develop, and deploy AI and machine-learning models supporting NATO’s Data Science & AI Enablement and Outreach team.
• Implement, optimize, and maintain AI algorithms including natural language processing, computer vision, and predictive analytics models.
• Collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and system engineers to integrate AI capabilities into operational and decision-support systems.
• Develop and test AI-enabled prototypes, tools, and software modules for defense and wargaming applications.
• Contribute to the design and configuration of machine learning pipelines, including data preprocessing, model training, testing, and validation.
• Ensure compliance with NATO standards for AI security, data privacy, and model explainability in all deployments.
• Apply best practices for model lifecycle management, including version control, testing, and deployment into production environments.
• Develop automated workflows for data ingestion, transformation, and real-time model inference using APIs and pipelines.
• Support experimentation, evaluation, and refinement of AI systems through iterative testing and feedback sessions.
• Prepare technical reports, system documentation, and briefings for leadership and non-technical stakeholders.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance on AI/ML methodologies to other team members.
• Support AI research, technology scouting, and assessment of emerging trends relevant to NATO operational needs.
• Integrate AI outputs into visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, custom dashboards) to communicate insights and recommendations.
• Perform additional technical or analytical duties as directed by the COTR within the scope of this contract.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field.
• At least 5 years of practical experience in AI engineering or applied machine learning, preferably in defense, intelligence, or NATO-related environments.
• Proficiency with AI/ML frameworks and libraries such as Tensor Flow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, or Keras.
• Strong experience in programming languages such as Python, R, or C++ for developing and deploying AI models.
• Hands‑on experience in developing and deploying natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, or reinforcement learning applications.
• Familiarity with MLOps, Dev Ops, or CI/CD workflows for AI model lifecycle management and automation.
• Experience integrating AI models into command‑and‑control systems, wargames, or decision‑support applications.
• Knowledge of secure computing…