Software Engineer AI Jobs in Maryland
Software Engineer AI jobs in Maryland concentrate in defense contracting, federal agency technology, and biomedical research, with the Baltimore-Washington corridor ranking among the most active markets in the country for this role at every level from associate to principal. The largest hiring hubs are Bethesda, Baltimore, and Rockville, where employers like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory consistently bring on software engineer ais. The most in-demand specialties include machine learning engineering, natural language processing, and computer vision applied to mission-critical and health sciences contexts. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Software Engineer AI JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 51+ Software Engineer AI 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
See All 51 Software Engineer AI Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Software Engineer AI JobsSoftware Engineer AI Jobs by City in Maryland
Where Maryland roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Engineer AI 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 software engineer AI jobs across Maryland.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, AI, or a closely related engineering field
- Demonstrated experience building and deploying machine learning or deep learning models in production
- Proficiency in Python and at least one major ML framework such as TensorFlow or PyTorch
- Active or clearable U.S. security clearance eligibility, required by many Maryland defense and federal contractors
- Familiarity with MLOps practices including model monitoring, versioning, and CI/CD pipelines
- Experience working with large language models, transformer architectures, or generative AI systems
Software Engineer AI Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software engineer ai in Maryland?
Maryland does not require a state-issued license to work as a software engineer ai. The typical path is a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, artificial intelligence, or data science, followed by hands-on ML engineering experience through coursework, research, or internships. Many Maryland employers in the defense and federal IT sectors also expect candidates to be eligible for a security clearance, so a clean background is a practical credential in this market.
How much do software engineer AIs make in Maryland?
Software engineer AIs 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 software engineer ais in Maryland?
Employers hiring software engineer ais 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 deep concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors means a large share of these openings sit within organizations building AI systems for government and national security applications.
Which Maryland cities have the most software engineer ai jobs?
Laurel, Annapolis Junction, and Fort Meade have the most software engineer ai openings in Maryland. The distribution follows the Baltimore-Washington corridor, where Bethesda and Rockville draw federal agency work and large contractors like Booz Allen Hamilton, while Baltimore anchors demand through Johns Hopkins institutions, cybersecurity firms, and the University of Maryland medical and research ecosystem.
Are there remote software engineer ai jobs in Maryland?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 74% of software engineer ai openings tied to Maryland are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how naturally the work fits distributed environments. The most remote-friendly specialties are those without classified data requirements, such as commercial NLP, computer vision for health tech, and generative AI product development, while defense and government-adjacent roles tend to require on-site or hybrid arrangements.
How can I get hired as a software engineer ai in Maryland with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a research or engineering internship at one of Maryland's university-affiliated institutions, particularly through Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland College Park, or their affiliated research labs and spin-outs. New graduates can also target associate ML engineer or AI analyst roles at mid-size federal contractors in the Bethesda and Rockville corridors, which regularly hire entry-level candidates from these institutions. Building a portfolio of end-to-end ML projects and earning a recognized certification such as the AWS Certified Machine Learning specialty gives applicants a concrete edge over other early-career candidates.
Where can I find and apply to software engineer ai jobs in Maryland?
You can find and apply to software engineer ai jobs in Maryland on Migrate Mate, which lists current Maryland openings. Search for roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 51 Software Engineer AI Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Software Engineer AI Jobs