Senior Machine Learning Engineer (Active Secret Clearance)

Striveworks
Austin, TX
Hybrid

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for experienced AI practitioners who build data-centric systems and collaborate across technical and operational teams.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 6+ years of experience in data-centric systems and AI deployment for government clients
    — “fewer than 15% of federal AI programs have reached sustained production”
  • Individuals who can bridge data science and engineering while managing complex pipelines
    — “define requirements and orchestrate complex data engineering pipelines”

Things to consider

  • This role requires an active Secret clearance and US citizenship as a non-negotiable condition
    — “Active Secret (or above) US security clearance and US citizenship”
  • Travel is a significant commitment, with up to 25% of time spent on the road
    — “This role requires travel up to 25% of the time”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with real-world AI deployment and performance assurance
    — “providing a layer of assurance underneath hundreds of deployed models”
  • Emphasize cross-functional collaboration and requirement definition skills
    — “working directly with customers, data scientists, software engineers, and DevOps engineers”
  • Showcase expertise in Python and machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch
    — “excellence in Python is essential, as is knowledge of TensorFlow, PyTorch, and/or scikit-learn”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · CompanyLevel · Senior

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • successful deployment of AI systems
  • monitoring and managing AI performance
Typical background
BS degree in computer science, machine learning, or related discipline6+ years relevant experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Machine LearningData EngineeringPythonTensorFlowPyTorchscikit-learnSoftware EngineeringData StructuresDesign PatternsContainerized Environments

Preferred

Advanced Degree In Data ScienceKnowledge Of Client-server SystemsCloud EnvironmentsUnstructured Data TypesSecure Government EnvironmentsAI AgentsAgentic SystemsComplex Technical SolutionsTeam Management

Stack & domain

PythonTensorFlowPyTorchscikit-learnSoftware EngineeringData EngineeringMachine LearningLeadershipCommunicationActive Secret ClearanceAIData Science

About the role

Original posting from Striveworks via Greenhouse

“In 36 months, agentic AI systems will be an operating reality across major institutions. We intend to be central to it.” — Dr. Jim Rebesco, Cofounder and CEO, Striveworks 

The government’s demand for AI is growing far faster than the systems required to support it. Fewer than 15% of federal AI programs have reached sustained production, despite billions of dollars invested. The models perform in testing, but they degrade in the real world. And when performance drops, trust goes with it.

Striveworks was built to solve that problem.

What you’ll build

Since 2018, we have delivered the most trusted AI systems operating in real-world use cases—providing a layer of assurance underneath hundreds of deployed models that monitors performance, manages drift, and sustains systems long after they leave the lab.

As a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, you will be a core contributor to both customer-driven projects and the enduring products of the company. Working directly with customers, data scientists, software engineers, and DevOps engineers, you’ll define requirements and orchestrate complex data engineering pipelines. You’ll also develop machine learning models and custom analytics applied to image, video, text, geospatial, time series, and structured data. Your work will inform the future of Chariot, our proprietary AI operations platform, and it extends to the field, with mission-critical deployments, direct customer contact, and insights that shape what we build next.

What it’s like here

We lead with trust, treat each other with respect, and use candor consistently, kindly, and constructively. We care deeply about our work, and we find genuine satisfaction in doing it well. Above all, we take ownership—because we feel the weight of collective results personally. We are looking for people who share these values and are eager to put them into practice.

What we’re looking for

A BS degree in computer science, machine learning, or a related discipline and 6+ years relevant experience

Demonstrated experience delivering data-centric systems

Proficiency in programming languages and libraries common to machine learning; excellence in Python is essential, as is knowledge of TensorFlow, PyTorch, and/or scikit-learn

Proficiency in software engineering fundamentals to include algorithms, data structures, design patterns, and at least one systems programming language

Proficiency with modern software engineering tools and processes

Active Secret (or above) US security clearance and US citizenship

The following isn’t required, but we’d love to see it:

Advanced degree in data science, machine learning, computer science, or a related discipline

Knowledge of relevant architectures and design patterns for client-server systems

Experience implementing and deploying software into containerized or cloud environments

Experience with a variety of unstructured data types

Experience delivering technology solutions in secure government environments

Experience building AI agents, agentic workflows, or agentic systems

Experience defining, scoping, planning, and delivering complex, production-level technical solutions

Experience leading, managing, or mentoring small, cross-functional engineering teams 

You will be hybrid out of our Austin, Texas, office. This role requires travel up to 25% of the time.

Compensation

The anticipated base pay range for this position is $185,000–$230,000/year. Striveworks’ total compensation package includes a competitive base salary, equity grants, and cash bonuses.

Benefits include:

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Voluntary life, long-term disability, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance

HSA and FSA (including dependent care FSA) plans

401(k) plan

Unlimited PTO

Paid parental leave

Ready to build systems that work for a mission that matters? Let’s talk.

Striveworks is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity or expression), national origin, social or ethnic origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. Striveworks will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind.

If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in the application process, please contact People Operations at hr@striveworks.us.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete an employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Striveworks is a participating employer in the E-Verify program.

Source: Striveworks careers (Greenhouse)

Similar roles