AI Software Developer Jobs in Maryland
AI Software Developer jobs in Maryland are among the most active in the Mid-Atlantic, concentrated in defense technology, federal contracting, cybersecurity, and life sciences across the Baltimore metro, the Washington D.C. suburbs in Montgomery and Prince George's counties, and the Annapolis corridor. Major employers with a lasting Maryland presence include Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, all of which maintain significant AI and machine learning development teams. The most in-demand specialties are natural language processing, computer vision, and AI integration for secure government and healthcare systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Are you interested in pursuing a career in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) research?
Does working in a fast-paced environment on open-ended problems excite you?
Are you motivated by critical national security challenges?
If you are an undergraduate or graduate student and these questions describe you, you should apply for a summer internship with JHU/APL’s AI Group! We are a team within the Research and Exploratory Development Department (REDD) that strives to close the gap between frontier models and our sponsors’ expectations for an AI-dominated future. Our research programs are targeting foundational advances with cross-mission impact, such as:
- Increasing behavioral alignment of AI agents used in human-machine teaming and wargaming
- Training multimodal foundation models on language and sensor data
- Intelligent robots that use agentic AI to perform complex tasks in a self-directed way
- Assessing, mitigating, and exploiting vulnerabilities of frontier models
- Mission-driven test and evaluation (T&E) of novel research
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
- Are pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or another related field pertaining to AI.
- Are proficient in Python programming with experience using PyTorch.
- Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Are able to obtain a Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a background investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
- Have taken courses in AI, machine learning, data science, multivariate statistics, computer vision, and/or natural language processing.
- Maintain an active portfolio of open-source software projects on a GitHub.
- Have examples of Python projects that use Hugging Face libraries.
- Have examples of Python projects that interface with Large Language Models, such as a Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) system.
- Have examples of projects where you used 3D modeling tools such as Blender or Nerfstudio.
- Have previously published your work in scientific literature.
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$22.60 Hourly
Maximum Rate
$47.95 Hourly
See All 51 AI Software Developer Jobs in Maryland
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Where Maryland roles are concentrated, by current openings.
AI Software Developer Job Market in Maryland
A snapshot from current Maryland openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
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What Maryland Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in AI software developer jobs across Maryland.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, artificial intelligence, or a related engineering field
- Proficiency in Python and at least one major ML framework such as TensorFlow or PyTorch
- Experience designing, training, and deploying machine learning or deep learning models in production
- Active or obtainable U.S. security clearance, required by many Maryland federal contracting employers
- Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud for AI workload deployment
- Strong understanding of MLOps practices including model monitoring, versioning, and CI/CD pipelines
AI Software Developer Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an ai software developer in Maryland?
Most Maryland employers require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, or a closely related field, with a master's degree preferred for senior roles. Maryland does not issue a state-specific license for ai software developers, so the path centers on formal education, a strong project portfolio demonstrating deployed models, and proficiency in tools like Python and cloud ML platforms. Many Maryland candidates also pursue credentials such as AWS Certified Machine Learning or Google Professional ML Engineer to stand out in the competitive federal contracting market.
How much do AI software developers make in Maryland?
AI software developers in Maryland earn a median of about $138,680 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $87,690 for the lowest 10% to over $222,610 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire ai software developers in Maryland?
Maryland ai software developer roles are posted by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Leidos, and Booz Allen Hamilton and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Maryland's dense concentration of federal agencies and prime defense contractors means a large share of openings come from systems integrators and research institutions with long-term government contracts.
Which Maryland cities have the most ai software developer jobs?
Laurel, Annapolis Junction, and Fort Meade lead Maryland for ai software developer openings. The Baltimore and D.C. suburb corridor drives the majority of demand, anchored by federal agencies, defense primes like Northrop Grumman and Leidos, and research institutions such as Johns Hopkins, while smaller markets like Annapolis and Columbia reflect the large technology campuses and headquarters operations located between those two major hubs.
Are there remote ai software developer jobs in Maryland?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 74% of ai software developer openings tied to Maryland are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how naturally portable software and model development work is. The most remote-friendly parts of the role are model training, code development, and data pipeline work, while roles tied to classified government projects typically require on-site presence at cleared facilities in the Maryland suburbs.
How can I get hired as an ai software developer in Maryland with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a master's program or internship at a Maryland research institution. Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland both place graduates directly into AI roles at affiliated labs and nearby federal contractors. Entry-level candidates should target associate software developer or junior machine learning engineer titles at companies like Leidos or MITRE, which run structured new-graduate programs. A portfolio of two or three deployed, documented ML projects on GitHub, plus a cloud certification, provides the concrete proof of skill Maryland employers ask for when evaluating candidates without prior full-time experience.
Where can I find and apply to ai software developer jobs in Maryland?
You can find and apply to ai software developer jobs in Maryland on Migrate Mate, which lists current Maryland openings from employers across the state. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listings.
See All 51 AI Software Developer Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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