Forge AI​/Machine Learning Engineer Senior - Orlando, FL

Job Summary

Lockheed Martin Missiles &Fire Control (MFC) is seeking a Senior AI/ML Engineer to join The Forge, our internal data and AI consultancy. You will partner with high‑visibility Missile and Fire Control programs to translate raw data into AI‑driven solutions that cut costs, accelerate production, and sustain our competitive edge. This is a hands‑on, customer‑facing role where your expertise will shape the future of aerospace and defense engineering.

• Lead the technical execution of the program customer project.
• Leverage advanced analytics, statistical modeling, and machine learning to drive data‑driven decision making across MFC engineering and production.
• Design, develop, and deploy end‑to‑end AI/ML pipelines for engineering design, manufacturing, and business operations challenges (e.g., test point reduction, automated calibration, AI‑enhanced document search, computer vision inspection).
• Build and implement edge‑deployed AI/ML solutions for classified, air‑gapped environments.
• Lead cross‑functional solution teams (Engineering Design & Development, Production and Business Operations) using a standard consulting‑style project framework.
• Partner directly with program customers to understand pain points, define value‑driven outcomes and deliver measurable results (cost, labor, yield, schedule).
• Own the full Dev Ops lifecycle: CI/CD, containerization, model monitoring, and governance for secure, high‑assurance AI in defense systems.

The Forge is Lockheed Martin Missiles &Fire Control’s internal data and AI consultancy, created to meet the accelerating pressure of firm fixed‑price contracts and rapid program ramps. Operating like an independent consulting firm inside Lockheed Martin, we deliver AI‑enabled insights that drive critical cost and schedule reduction initiatives.

You are a technically proficient leader with years of hands‑on experience building and scaling AI/ML solutions, ranging from supervised/unsupervised machine learning, deep learning models, computer vision systems or large language models. Your background includes solid engineering design work in aerospace or defense, giving you an intimate understanding of design processes, tools and challenges. You approach every engagement with a consulting mindset, scoping, delivering and rigorously measuring value for internal customers, while communicating complex concepts clearly to senior stakeholders.

This position is onsite in Orlando, Florida.

Must be a U.S. Citizen. This position is located at a facility that requires special access. The selected candidate must be able to obtain a Department of Defense Secret Clearance; a company‑sponsored interim secret clearance is required to start.

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Physics or a related field.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and have the ability to obtain a Department of Defense Secret Clearance.
• Experience in AI/ML research and development, with a strong background in machine learning, deep learning and generative AI such as large language models.
• Proficiency with Python and agentic IDEs.
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks and libraries, including Tensor Flow, PyTorch and MCPs.
• Ability to lay out technical roadmaps and communicate those plans and solutions to both highly technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to build effective working relationships.
• Strong problem‑solving mindset with the ability to create solutions to difficult problems often requiring integration of conflicting and, at times, ambiguous or incomplete data on a rapid schedule.
• Excellent technical and executive communication skills.
• Experience with AI/ML ethics, fairness and transparency.
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning techniques, agentic systems and large language models.
• Experience in full AI system solutioning including but not limited to MLOps, retrieval systems, security, front‑end UX/UI design, reliability, evaluation and verification.

• Flexible work schedules.
• Comprehensive benefits package investing in your future and security.
• Work is performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility.
• Work schedule:
  
  4x10 hour day, 3 days off per week (alternate work schedules available).

Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.