Senior AI/ML Engineer (Player-Coach

About Mind Moves Mind Moves is a women-owned Washington, D.C.-based firm helping businesses and governments to embrace, build and deploy ‘human in the loop’ AI solutions to elevate mission and value. We are pioneers with deep expertise in the field of machine learning and AI (both predictive and generative). We have delivered responsibly developed products and services that impact millions of users worldwide, while generating millions of dollars in revenue. We have worked with Fortune 500 corporations and large government entities in health care, supply chain management, financial services and life sciences. We apply a structured methodology and holistic approach to AI transformation and a broad spectrum of technical services centered in the harnessing of people, science and technology. What you’ll be doing Mind Moves is seeking a Senior ML/AI Engineer, in a Player-Coach role, to lead cross-functional teams in advancing use cases from initial concept through shaping and into Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). These teams, composed of members from across the Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), typically propose use cases in the fields of medical research and public health, serving both internal and external audiences. Working with Mind Moves You’ll collaborate with client leads, business operators, fellow consultants, and the Mind Moves project team—while working closely with world-leading scientists at NIH and Mind Moves. This role offers the chance to: • Make a measurable impact on scientific discovery and public health. • Gain hands-on experience with frontier AI/ML technologies. • Operate at the intersection of health, data, and AI in a creative, mission-driven environment. The contract will include: • Lead and mentor technical teams as they move use case concept through Proof of Concept (POC) to Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and toward scalable product deployment. • Contribute directly with code, infrastructure, and architecture design where needed • Translate requirements into actionable roadmaps, sprints, and engineering tasks • Oversee data pipelines, APIs, and scalable infrastructure for advanced AI/ML solutions. • Conduct code and architecture reviews, ensuring quality, performance, and security. • Coach engineers, foster skill growth, and ensure high standards across teams. • Serve as a bridge between research, engineering, and client teams - ensuring alignment on goals, timelines, and deliverables. • Identify opportunities for innovation while maintaining compliance with federal standards Contractor has the following skills/background: • 7+ years professional experience in software, data, or ML engineering; 3+ years in technical leadership. • Proven success leading teams of 10+ engineers from POC to production. • Expertise in Generative AI stacks (transformers, LLMs, multimodal/agentic AI). • Proficiency in Python and ecosystems (Scikit-learn, Pandas, Numpy, PyTorch, XGBoost). • Strong system design and cloud-native experience (AWS, Azure, GCP). • Hands-on with MLOps, CI/CD, and scalable pipelines. • Experience with SQL/NoSQL databases and distributed data systems (e.g., Spark, Kafka). • Experience integrating agentic AI workflows (multi-step reasoning, orchestration). • Familiarity with Responsible AI design and deployment principles. • Strong communication skills, including translating technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders. • Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering required; advanced degree preferred. • Based in the U.S. with full work authorization (no sponsorship). • DC metro area preferred; remote work in EST required. Contract Details • Compensation range: Proposals accepted from $85-105/hour • Estimated hours each month: up to 120 hours • Work locale: 100% remote in the EST required and DC metro area preferred • Security: If selected, candidates will be required to complete a full background check. To apply: Please upload your resume and complete the short form Read more about Mind Moves: https://mindmoves.co/