AI/ML Software Engineer at Quest Defense in Cincinnati, OH

What we do matters.  

We are a high-growth, agile company creating safety and mission critical solutions in a synergistic environment between our people and our client partners. From F-35 and F-16 fighter jets to the latest aviation technologies, to working on medical devices, spacecraft, and satellites, our engineers have worked on some of the coolest Aerospace, Defense, Space, and Medical Device products in the world. 

Be part of the team powering engineering solutions that drive technology. 

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is supporting a cutting-edge program focused on advancing adaptive communications capabilities in complex, real-world environments. This work centers on wavelength interference patterns and the development of adaptive methods to detect, analyze, and disrupt signals for real-world defense applications.

We are seeking an AI/ML Software Engineer who can bridge the gap between advanced research and real-world implementation. This role is ideal for someone with a strong foundation in RF/signal processing and software development, who can take mathematically complex concepts and turn them into working, testable, and scalable solutions.

You’ll be working alongside a highly technical, PhD-driven research team, helping to bring structure, direction, and execution to ongoing development efforts. The work spans Python-based algorithm development, embedded software (C/C++), and applied AI/ML, with a focus on building and integrating adaptive capabilities into larger system architectures.

Due to the nature of the project, all applicants must be U.S. Citizens or US lawful permanent residents. 

This role is remote with <10% travel as required for customer meetings and technical reviews. 

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, train, and refine AI/ML models and decision logic for adaptive or generative software applications.
• Develop software frameworks, runtime components, APIs, and integration layers to connect AI/ML capabilities with larger system architectures.
• Build and maintain training workflows, evaluation harnesses, preprocessing pipelines, and dataset tooling for simulated and operationally relevant environments.
• Support model evaluation against technical performance metrics and help analyze results from simulation and test environments.
• Containerize software components and prepare runtime packages for automated test and evaluation execution.
• Contribute to scalable software architecture, configuration management, experiment tracking, and code quality practices.
• Refactor and harden software for production-quality use, including modular design, logging, error handling, documentation, and test coverage.
• Support technical reviews, development planning, integration activities, and customer-facing engineering discussions as needed.
• Produce technical documentation, including architecture overviews, setup instructions, interface descriptions, deployment guidance, and lessons learned.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including AI/ML engineers, software developers, communications or signal-processing specialists, system architects, and test teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM field.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in AI/ML software development, including model implementation and deployment.
• Strong proficiency in Python.
• Proficiency in at least one additional programming language, such as C or C++.
• Experience with one or more major ML frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Experience building software in a structured engineering environment using version control, code review, testing, and sound development practices.
• Experience developing data pipelines, preprocessing workflows, or dataset tooling for complex or sequential data.
• Experience with APIs, containerization, and integration testing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively in cross-functional technical teams.
• U.S. Person status required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with generative AI/ML models, reinforcement learning, contextual bandits, or other adaptive decision-policy methods.
• Familiarity with signal processing, communications systems, modulation, channels, link metrics, or radio-oriented software environments.
• Experience with simulation environments, hardware-in-the-loop test setups, or software used in test and evaluation workflows.
• Experience in packaging ML components for runtime execution in containerized or orchestrated environments.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or other mission-critical regulated domains.
• Experience working under structured customer processes with formal technical reviews, deliverables, and documentation requirements.
• Familiarity with runtime optimization, model latency/performance tradeoffs, and deployment constraints in edge or embedded environments.

Technical Skills of Interest

• Python
• C / C++
• PyTorch / TensorFlow
• Data pipeline development
• Experiment tracking/configuration management
• API development and integration
• Docker/containerization
• Logging, testing, and software hardening
• Simulation and evaluation tooling
• AI/ML deployment in constrained or mission-oriented environments

Behavioral and Working Style Expectations

• Able to work collaboratively in a customer-directed environment.
• Comfortable supporting evolving priorities across phased technical development.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to move from concept to executable software.
• Disciplined approach to documentation, traceability, and technical communication.
• Able to operate effectively in planning sessions, standups, reviews, and cross-functional engineering discussions.

The QDSS Advantage:  

At QDSS, our advantage is purpose-driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges that push boundaries and build lasting impact. You’ll grow your career while contributing to mission-critical programs that demand excellence and shape the future. 

What You’ll Find Here 

• Work That Matters – Next-generation, safety- and mission-critical projects where your contributions have real-world impact. 
• Growth That’s Supported – Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), certification assistance, and clear opportunities for advancement. 
• A Culture That Works – A flexible, collaborative, and people-first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued. 

Benefits Include 

• Competitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/life and disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development support, and a flexible, friendly workplace.