Job Summary Our client in Washington, DC is seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Lead AI/ML Engineer to drive the design, development, and deployment of advanced machine learning and generative AI solutions. This role will serve as a technical leader, guiding cross-functional teams in building scalable, high-performing AI/ML systems across a modern cloud-native environment. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in supervised/unsupervised learning, MLOps, large language models, and modern coding practices, while also mentoring junior engineers and shaping platform-wide AI capabilities. location: Washington, Washington, D.C. job type: Contract salary: $30 - 40 per hour work hours: 9am to 5pm education: Bachelors Responsibilities • Design and implement machine learning models including regression, classification, clustering, time-series forecasting, and boosting algorithms • Build and optimize neural networks (CNNs, RNNs, LSTMs) for diverse data and use cases • Develop and integrate Generative AI solutions using LLMs and foundation models; apply techniques like prompt engineering, LoRA, and PEFT • Write advanced, production-grade Python code; develop in JupyterLab and VSCode • Deploy solutions using Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure); manage version control with Git • Manage the end-to-end ML lifecycle including model serialization (Pickle, Joblib, ONNX), API deployment with FastAPI, and serverless infrastructure • Build internal tools and AI interfaces using Streamlit and modern front-end technologies (HTML/CSS/JavaScript) • Champion Databricks adoption to enable AutoML, pipeline automation, and scalable development • Perform robust data processing, visualization, and storytelling using tools like pandas, polars, NumPy, scikit-learn, seaborn, and PyTorch • Mentor junior team members, foster self-service AI/ML capabilities, and collaborate across teams to align technical solutions with business goals Qualifications • 7+ years of experience in data science, machine learning, or AI engineering • Proven experience leading AI/ML solution delivery in a production environment • 3+ years of hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) • Strong background in Python programming and ML libraries (scikit-learn, pandas, NumPy) • Experience deploying models in cloud environments (AWS, Azure) using Docker and Kubernetes • Proficiency with MLOps practices and tools such as MLflow, FastAPI, and ONNX • Familiarity with Databricks and Spark for large-scale data processing and modeling • Experience building and deploying Generative AI solutions using LLMs and foundation models • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related field • Relevant certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty, Databricks ML Professional, Google Cloud ML Engineer) preferred Skills • Team Leadership and Mentorship - Ability to lead and guide junior engineers and data scientists • Strong Communication Skills - Able to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders • Problem Solving and Critical Thinking - Skilled at analyzing complex problems and designing scalable solutions • Collaboration and Cross-Functional Teamwork - Experience working across business, data, and engineering teams • Programming Proficiency - Advanced skills in Python and experience with code versioning tools like Git • Cloud Computing Knowledge - Familiarity with AWS, Azure, or GCP environments for AI/ML deployment • Machine Learning Expertise - Deep understanding of algorithms, model tuning, and performance optimization • MLOps and Model Deployment - Ability to operationalize models using tools like FastAPI, Docker, and Kubernetes • Generative AI and LLMs - Understanding and hands-on experience with large language models and prompt engineering • Data Visualization and Storytelling - Capable of translating data insights into clear visual narratives for stakeholders Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status. At Randstad Digital, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact HRsupport@randstadusa.com. Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Randstad Digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility). This posting is open for thirty (30) days.