Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs in Maryland
Senior AI Software Engineer jobs in Maryland are among the most active in the mid-Atlantic region, concentrated in defense and intelligence contracting, federal health IT, and cybersecurity firms anchored around the Baltimore-Washington corridor, Bethesda, and Annapolis Junction. Major employers with lasting Maryland footholds include Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, all of which field dedicated AI engineering teams. The most in-demand specialties are machine learning infrastructure, natural language processing for government applications, and MLOps. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 4 of 51+ Senior AI Software Engineer jobs
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
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 Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSenior AI Software Engineer Jobs by City in Maryland
Where Maryland roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior AI Software Engineer Job Market in Maryland
A snapshot from current Maryland openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Maryland Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior AI software engineer jobs across Maryland.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, AI, or a closely related field
- Active or obtainable U.S. government security clearance, often at the Secret level
- Seven or more years of hands-on software engineering experience with AI or ML systems
- Proficiency in Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure
- Demonstrated experience deploying large-scale ML models in production environments
- Strong background in MLOps, model monitoring, and CI/CD pipelines for AI systems
Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior ai software engineer in Maryland?
There is no state-issued license required to work as a senior ai software engineer in Maryland, so the path runs through education and clearance. Most Maryland employers in this space expect a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, machine learning, or a related field. Because so much of the Maryland market is defense and federal IT, pursuing and maintaining a U.S. government security clearance is often the single most consequential step for advancing into senior roles.
How much do senior AI software engineers make in Maryland?
Senior AI software engineers 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 senior ai software engineers in Maryland?
Employers hiring senior ai software engineers in Maryland right now include Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Leidos, and Booz Allen Hamilton, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Maryland's dense cluster of defense primes, federal agencies, and health IT firms makes it one of the more consistent hiring markets for this role on the East Coast.
Which Maryland cities have the most senior ai software engineer jobs?
The cities with the most senior ai software engineer openings in Maryland are Laurel, Annapolis Junction, and Fort Meade. The Baltimore-Washington corridor dominates because of the concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and research institutions such as Johns Hopkins and the National Institutes of Health, which pull significant AI engineering activity into the suburban communities between the two major metros.
Are there remote senior ai software engineer jobs in Maryland?
Yes, and more than most engineering fields, given how much of this work is software-based and deliverable remotely. About 74% of senior ai software engineer openings tied to Maryland are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, though roles tied to classified government programs typically require on-site presence. The most remote-friendly positions tend to be in commercial AI product development and health IT rather than defense contracting.
How can I get hired as a senior ai software engineer in Maryland with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a software engineering or data science role at a Maryland federal contractor or research institution, then building specialized AI skills on the job. Organizations like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory run early-career and new-graduate programs that place candidates into AI-adjacent work. Starting in a data analyst or junior ML engineer role and earning certifications in cloud AI platforms gives candidates a credible bridge toward senior-level positions.
Where can I find and apply to senior ai software engineer jobs in Maryland?
You can find and apply to senior ai software engineer jobs in Maryland on Migrate Mate, which lists current Maryland openings updated in real time. Search the listings, find the roles that match your background and target employers, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 51 Senior AI Software Engineer Jobs in Maryland
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