Belay Technologies has been voted Baltimore Business Journal's (BBJ) Best Places to Work 2019, runner up in 2020 and a finalist in 2021!
 
Belay Technologies is seeking a Software Engineer (Principal AI Engineer) to join our intel team. The Principal AI Engineer will provide technical leadership and strategic direction for our AI/ML initiatives, balancing hands-on development with architectural oversight. This role will evaluate emerging AI technologies, architect scalable solutions, and mentor junior developers while ensuring delivery of production-grade AI systems. You will work directly with stakeholders to understand business needs and translate them into technical solutions that drive value.

Responsibilities:Lead technical strategy for AI/ML initiatives across multiple product linesEvaluate and recommend state-of-the-art AI technologies based on business needs and technical constraintsArchitect end-to-end AI solutions from proof of concept to productionBreak down complex AI projects into manageable components for junior developersProvide technical mentorship and code reviews to develop team capabilitiesWork directly with stakeholders to gather requirements and communicate technical solutionsEstablish best practices for AI development, testing, and deploymentCandidates should have the following qualifications: TS/SCI Clearance with polygraph12+ years of software engineering experience or 4 additional yrs. in place of B.S, with 5+ years focused on AI/MLProven track record of leading successful AI projects from conception to productionStrong expertise in Python and modern ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face)Deep understanding of MLOps practices and tools (MLflow, Weights & Biases, etc.)Experience architecting cloud-native AI solutions (AWS/Azure/GCP)Strong background in large language models (LLMs) and emerging AI technologiesExperience mentoring junior developers and leading technical teamsExcellence in system design and software architectureTrack record of making strategic technical decisions with demonstrable business impactStrong communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiencesLeadership Competencies: Ability to influence and drive technical decisions across teamsExcellence in breaking down complex problems into manageable components. Strong prioritization and project planning skillsProven ability to mentor and grow junior talentTrack record of successful stakeholder managementAbility to balance technical excellence with practical business needsCandidates are desired to have the following skills:Experience with specialized AI domains (computer vision, NLP, reinforcement learning)Background in distributed systems and high-performance computingExperience with AI model optimization and deployment on edge devicesFamiliarity with AI ethics and responsible AI practices Research experience or published papers in AI/MLOpen-source contributions to major AI/ML projectsExperience with AI system security and privacy considerations
Perks and Benefits:8 weeks paid leave - 4 weeks of personal leave, 3 Yay! days, take off on your birthday,11 paid holidays and optional leave up to 6 days through Belay's volunteer program 10% matching in 401(k) contributions vested on day one $5,000 annual training/tuition Student Loan Repayment Program 100% company-funded HSA Rich medical coverage (100% coinsurance) Dental coverage including orthodontia Up to $420,000 in life insurance, premiums 100% company funded Amazon Prime, gym reimbursement, monthly lunches, games and prizes Pet adoption program, generous referral bonus program, fun events, and more!  
At Belay, we are committed to creating an environment where you can thrive both professionally and personally.  We believe in transparency and fairness in compensation. Several factors influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, education, specific skills and competencies and certifications. Belay offers a competitive total compensation package that includes benefits and perks, a flexible work-life balance, and career development.

Salary Range: $190,000 to $240,000

Belay Technologies is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business located in Columbia, Maryland (Baltimore/Washington area). Belay Technologies specializes in systems automation and full stack development. Belay Technologies provides leading technology and engineering solutions to the DoD, as well as state-of-the-art commercial products. We hire software engineers, web designers, test engineers, systems engineers, systems administrators, database engineers and other tech services. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.