# Enterprise AI Architect

**Company:** [Credence](http://jobs.workable.com/companies/dDMM24CqubVwkeiipTJ8WP.md)
**Location:** McLean, United States
**Workplace:** hybrid
**Employment type:** Full-time
**Department:** DLA

[Apply for this job](http://jobs.workable.com/view/2d7fef7e-8951-4ebe-9cf0-90fc83a86631)

## Description

**Overview**

Join a team where innovation meets mission. Our AI, cloud, cyber, and modernization solutions save agencies thousands of hours, safeguard national security, and strengthen health and humanitarian missions worldwide. With 1,700+ team members, 1,500+ AI/data experts, and 100+ prime contracts, we deliver at scale and with purpose.

We’ve been recognized as a Top Workplace by the Washington Post for six straight years and named to the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies 13 of the past 14 years. Credence is a welcoming home for those looking to grow and contribute to positive change. We encourage all employees to expand beyond their boundaries and dive into important world-changing Federal challenges.

**Position Summary**

Credence has an immediate need for an **Enterprise AI Architect** to join our growing AI and Automation practice. In this role, you will design and lead the development of cutting-edge AI solutions that drive real-world impact across federal programs. You will guide cross-functional teams, shape technical strategy, and mentor engineers in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with a strong background in AI/ML development, cloud platforms, and enterprise-scale systems design.

**Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:**

-   Define and maintain the enterprise AI/ML reference architecture, including patterns for agentic systems, retrieval-augmented generation, model federation, and human-in-the-loop workflows
-   Establish architectural standards, ADRs, and interface control documents (ICDs) that govern how programs adopt AI capabilities
-   Drive AI platform strategy across AWS and GCP — including GovCloud (IL5/IL6) environments — with attention to vendor lock-in, portability, and total cost of ownership
-   Lead architecture reviews across programs; advise delivery teams on design trade-offs, integration patterns, and production readiness
-   Partner with Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, and DevSecOps to ensure AI solutions meet federal security, compliance, and accreditation requirements (RMF, FedRAMP, Zero Trust)
-   Evaluate emerging AI/ML tools, models, and frameworks; make sourcing and standardization recommendations to leadership
-   Shape the AI capability roadmap in support of capture, proposal, and growth activities across the federal portfolio
-   Mentor technical leads and senior engineers; cultivate an architecture community of practice

## Requirements

-   Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, AI/ML, Engineering, or a related field; Master's preferred
-   Minimum of **10+ years** of experience in software/AI/ML systems, with at least **3+ years in an architect or principal engineer capacity**
-   Demonstrated experience setting technical direction for AI/ML platforms or programs at enterprise scale
-   Deep understanding of modern AI patterns, including Transformers, agentic systems, Model Context Protocol (MCP), Agent2Agent (A2A), Mastra, LangGraph, and LLM orchestration frameworks
-   Hands-on fluency in Python and TypeScript sufficient to prototype, review, and credibly direct implementation
-   Production experience deploying AI workloads in AWS, or GCP — GovCloud experience strongly preferred
-   Strong grounding in CI/CD, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and DevSecOps principles
-   Working knowledge of federal security and compliance frameworks (RMF, FedRAMP, NIST 800-53)
-   Experience with Agile delivery and tools (Git, Jira, Confluence)
-   Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible to obtain a Secret clearance

**Preferred Qualifications**

-   Active Secret clearance
-   Experience with multi-model federation (e.g., LiteLLM, Bedrock, Vertex AI)
-   Background in data architecture, data fabric, data mesh, or lakehouse patterns
-   Knowledge of Zero Trust Architecture and ATO processes for AI/ML workloads
-   Prior experience on federal digital modernization programs, ideally in DoD or large civilian agencies
-   AWS/GCP Solutions Architect, or equivalent certifications

## Benefits

-   Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
-   Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
-   Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
-   Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
-   Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
-   Short Term & Long Term Disability
-   Training & Development
-   Free Food & Snacks