Thank you for considering IT Concepts dba Kentro, where innovation drives opportunity and collaboration leads to success. Our dynamic community of experts is fully committed to advancing our customers' missions, fostering professional growth, and making a positive impact on our communities.        

By joining our supportive community, you will find that Kentro is dedicated to your personal and professional development. Together, we can drive meaningful change, spark innovation, and achieve extraordinary milestones.

Kentro is hiring an experienced a remote AI Engineer to support our VA-ESOM (End Point Support and Operations Monitoring) contract across the United States. The VA is responsible for providing comprehensive onsite and remote support to IT customers across all VA Administrations and special program offices, including direct support of over 340,000 VA employees and thousands of contractors who use government-furnished IT equipment and infrastructure. The VA provides support staff across 100+ CONUS and OCONUS locations, including difficult-to-accommodate locales, such as high cost of living or under-supported economic areas, where VA offices or facilities may be located and require onsite services.

Location: This position can be performed remotely within the United States and will support Eastern Time working hours.

ABOUT OTG The Operations Triage Group (OTG) provides expert engineering and data science support to VA OIT Senior Leadership (CIO, PDAS, SES) for the 100 most critical VA systems (C-100). We deliver strategic intelligence through major incident triage, daily executive briefings, and operational insights that directly impact Veterans' access to healthcare and benefits.

POSITION OVERVIEW The AI Engineer serves as a hands-on technical execution specialist, building and maintaining the AI infrastructure that powers OTG's mission-critical capabilities. You will implement AI/ML solutions, integrate complex data pipelines, and configure cloud-based AI platforms that translate architectural vision into operational reality.

This is a technical execution position requiring deep engineering proficiency, data integration expertise, and the ability to deliver reliable AI solutions in a complex federal IT environment.

AI Implementation & Platform Engineering

• Configure and maintain cloud AI services, databases, and supporting infrastructure
• Build and optimize data pipelines that ingest, transform, and prepare operational data for AI/ML applications
• Implement context modeling, embedding architectures, and retrieval systems (RAG, vector databases, etc.)
• Integrate AI capabilities with existing enterprise platforms including ServiceNow, monitoring tools, and other enterprise data repositories
• Translate architectural designs into production-ready technical implementations

Data Integration & Quality

• Design and execute data integration workflows connecting disparate VA data sources
• Assess and improve data quality to meet AI/ML application requirements
• Collaborate with data scientists to operationalize models and ensure data readiness
• Document data flows, transformation logic, and integration dependencies

Collaboration & Technical Support

• Partner with the AI Solutions Architect to execute against established roadmaps and technical designs
• Support data scientists with platform configuration, tooling, and pipeline infrastructure
• Participate in testing, debugging, and performance optimization of AI systems
• Coordinate with CAIO and cloud platform teams on implementation requirements and technical constraints

Documentation & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain thorough technical documentation of configurations, implementations, and system changes
• Identify and surface technical risks, blockers, and optimization opportunities
• Stay current on cloud AI capabilities, federal AI implementation standards, and relevant platform updates

Education & Experience

• Master's degree or higher in Computer Science, Data Science, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, or related technical field. 10 additional years of experience can be used as an alternative to the education requirement for a total of 20+ years of experience.
• 10+ years professional experience in AI/ML engineering, data engineering, or cloud platform roles
• Hands-on experience building and maintaining data pipelines and AI/ML infrastructure
• Prior experience implementing solutions in enterprise cloud environments

Technical Expertise

• Proficiency with cloud AI services and supporting infrastructure (Azure, AWS, or GCP)
• Experience with data integration patterns, ETL/ELT workflows, and data transformation tools
• Working knowledge of AI/ML concepts including model deployment, context modeling, and retrieval architectures
• Familiarity with vector databases, embedding models, and RAG implementation
• Experience with APIs, data architectures, and cloud/hybrid system integration
• Familiarity with ITSM platforms (ServiceNow preferred) and IT operations data structures
• Proficiency in Python or equivalent language for data engineering and AI pipeline development

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

• Ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues across integrated systems
• Detail-oriented with strong documentation discipline
• Comfortable operating with ambiguous requirements in a dynamic environment

Personal Attributes

• Execution-Focused: Bias toward building, delivering, and iterating
• Collaborative: Works effectively across data science, architecture, and government stakeholder teams
• Adaptable: Thrives in environments with evolving priorities and emerging technology
• Accountable: Takes ownership of technical deliverables and communicates blockers proactively
• Mission-Focused: Connects technical work to Veteran impact and VA mission outcomes

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Federal government experience, particularly within VA or Department of Defense
• Experience with ServiceNow data structures and incident management workflows
• Prior work within federal AI governance or CAIO-aligned processes
• Cloud AI platform certification (Azure, AWS, or GCP equivalent)
• Experience working in distributed, remote teams
• Background in SRE practices, IT operations, or reliability engineering

Clearance Requirement:

• US Citizen or Green card holder
• Willing and able to obtain and maintain Public Trust Clearance 
• Must meet updated ID requirements: https://www.gsa.gov/technology/it-contract-vehicles-and-purchasing-programs/federal-credentialing-services/get-appointment-help/bring-required-documents
  • If you do not currently meet the ID requirements outlined, you must be willing and able to update your current forms of ID in a timely manner to complete the suitability process successfully. 

The Company

We believe in generating success collaboratively, enabling long-term mission success, and building trust for the next challenge. With you as our partner, let’s solve challenges, think innovatively, and maximize impact. As a valued member of our team, you have the unique opportunity to work in a diverse range of technology and business career paths, all while supporting our nation and delivering innovative technology solutions. We are a close community of experts that pride ourselves on creating an environment defined by teamwork, dedication, and excellence.

We hold three ISO certifications (27001:2013, 20000-1:2011, 9001:2015), two CMMI ML 3 ratings (DEV and SVC) and CMMC Level 2 Certification.

Industry Recognition

Growth | Inc 5000’s Fastest Growing Private Companies, DC Metro List Fastest Growing; Washington Business Journal: Fastest Growing Companies, Top Performing Small Technology Companies in Greater D.C.

Culture | Northern Virginia Technology Council Tech 100 Honoree; Virginia Best Place to Work; Washington Business Journal: Best Places to Work, Corporate Diversity Index Winner – Mid-Size Companies, Companies Owned by People of Color; Department of Labor’s HireVets for our work helping veterans transition; SECAF Award of Excellence finalist; Victory Military Friendly Brand; Virginia Values Veterans (V3); Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Corporate Breath Award

Benefits

We offer competitive benefits package including paid time off, healthcare benefits, supplemental benefits, 401k including an employer match, discount perks, rewards, and more.  We invest in our employees – Every employee is eligible for education reimbursement for certifications, degrees, or professional development.  Reimbursement amounts may fluctuate due to IRS limitations. We want you to grow as an expert and a leader and offer flexibility for you to take a course, complete a certification, or other professional growth and networking. We are committed to supporting your curiosity and sustaining a culture that prioritizes commitment to continuous professional development.

We work hard; we play hard. Kentro is committed to incorporating fun into every day. We dedicate funds for activities – virtual and in-person – e.g., we host happy hours, holiday events, fitness & wellness events, and annual celebrations. In alignment with our commitment to our communities, we also host and attend charity galas/events. We believe in appreciating your commitment and building a positive workspace for you to be creative, innovative, and happy.

Commitment Equal Opportunity Employment & VEVRAA

Kentro is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Kentro is strongly committed to compliance with VEVRAA and other applicable federal, state, and local laws governing equal employment opportunity. We have developed comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure our hiring practices align with these requirements.

As part of our VEVRAA compliance efforts, Kentro has established an equal opportunity plan outlining our commitment to recruiting, hiring, and advancing protected veterans. This plan is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure its effectiveness.

We encourage protected veterans to self-identify during the application process. This information is strictly confidential and will only be used for reporting and compliance purposes as required by law. Providing this information is voluntary and will not impact your employment eligibility.

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity extends beyond legal compliance. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees, including protected veterans, are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

How to Apply

To apply to Kentro Positions- Please click on the job link and then click the blue “Apply” button at the top right of Job Description. Please upload your resume and complete all the application steps. You must fully submit the application for Kentro to consider you for a position.  If you need alternative application methods, please email careers@kentro.us and request assistance.     

Accommodations

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you need to discuss reasonable accommodations, please email careers@kentro.us.