Senior Principal AI/ML Engineer at SRC in Fairborn, OH

SRC, Inc. is currently seeking a Senior Principal AI/ML Engineer to steward the vision, direction, and execution of SRC’s external and internal research and development portfolio. This role sits at the nexus of technology innovation, customer mission understanding, and strategic program capture. The selected candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping SRC’s future technology posture by curating a connected portfolio of external and internal efforts aligned with customer needs, market opportunities, and SRC’s proven technical heritage. This is a mission focused, hands-on leadership position that integrates operational and R&D strategy, scientific mentorship, and business development alignment. The successful candidate will work directly with program managers, engineers, scientists, and capture teams to ensure that our AI/ML work produces meaningful, defensible results that transition effectively into programs supporting ISR, EW, advanced sensing, decision science, and emerging mission domains.

What You'll Do

• Curate, manage, and maintain a forward-looking AI/ML portfolio informed by customer missions, SRC strengths, and anticipated demand signals
• Review and synthesize existing AI/ML efforts into cohesive technology roadmaps and strategic direction statements
• Conduct customer driven gap analyses across major programs to identify unanswered questions and key technology shortfalls
• Collaborate with program development and capture teams to align AI/ML execution with SRC’s overarching strategy
• Mentor scientific teams to ensure technical rigor, high quality experimentation, defensible data, and clear transition ready outcomes
• Guide “fullstack” scientific development - concept creation, proposal shaping, execution, analysis, and customer facing transition
• Support business development through persuasive technology storytelling and B&P product contributions
• Engage stakeholders across technical, management, and executive levels with strong executive presence
• Lead or contribute to advanced AI/ML, MS&A, and prototyping activities when hands-on execution is required
• Partner with engineering, operations, and capture to translate AI/ML results into viable, fieldable products and solutions

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or a related technical discipline
• 15+ years of experience in R&D leadership, advanced technology development, scientific portfolio management, or strategic program capture
• An active TS/SCI clearance is required
• Demonstrated experience managing AI/ML portfolios, technology road mapping, or scientific/technical strategy
• Proven track record in AI/ML, advanced analytics, modeling & simulation, or emerging technology prototyping
• Experience mentoring technical teams and developing scientists into high impact contributors
• Ability to work at the interface of engineering, science, strategy, and business development
• Familiarity with DoD mission domains, customer communities, and technology transition pathways
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with comfort engaging senior stakeholders
• Ability to coordinate diverse contributors and maintain focus during rapid or evolving technology efforts

Ways to Stand Out – Preferred Requirements

• Master’s Degree or PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline

What Sets Us Apart? SRC, Inc., a not-for-profit research and development company, combines information, science, technology and ingenuity to solve “impossible” problems in the areas of defense, environment and intelligence. Across our family of companies, we apply bright minds, fresh thinking and relentless determination to deliver innovative products and services that are redefining possible^®^. When you join our team, you’ll be a part of something truly meaningful — helping to keep America and its allies safe and strong. You’ll collaborate with more than 1,400 engineers, scientists and professionals — with 20 percent of those employees having served in the military — in a highly innovative, inclusive and equitable work environment. You’ll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package that includes four or more weeks of paid time off to start, 10 percent employer contribution toward retirement, and 100 percent tuition support.

Total compensation for this role is market competitive. The anticipated salary range for this position based out of Dayton, OH is estimated at $176,000 to $220,000 annually. The actual salary will vary based on applicant’s experience, skills, and abilities, geographic location as well as other business and organizational needs. SRC offers competitive benefit options, for more details please visit our website.

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