Senior Computer Scientist/Engineer (AI w/ Cloud)

Job description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next! At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what���s possible. Job Description: Parsons is seeking a Computer Scientist/Engineer, Senior to support our cutting-edge Drone Armor counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) program. This critical role provides professional software and application development and requires the application of advanced computer science, engineering, and mathematical principles to research, design, develop, test, evaluate, and maintain complex software applications in an integrated manner. The Senior Computer Scientist/Engineer may also lead a team of computer scientists on large and complex projects within the Drone Armor program. What You'll Be Doing Software & Application Development • Provide professional software and application development in various programming languages in support of Drone Armor C-UAS capabilities • Design, implement, and maintain complex software components and services that enable mission-critical functions • Apply fundamentals and principles of: • Artificial intelligence and information systems • Networking, distributed processing, and real-time controls • System-of-systems engineering, web, cloud, modeling, and simulation • Design, implement, and integrate AI/ML-enabled capabilities (e.g., detection, classification, tracking, sensor fusion, decision-support) into operational Drone Armor workflows • Develop cloud-native and cloud-enabled applications and services that leverage commercial or tactical cloud environments for scalable C-UAS capabilities • Ensure software is robust, secure, maintainable, and aligned with program performance and reliability requirements • Conduct code reviews and enforce coding standards, security practices, and configuration management processes Systems Architecture, Integration & Technical Leadership • Apply expert knowledge of computer hardware, systems software, computer system architecture, and system integration to support end-to-end C-UAS solutions • Architect and integrate software components within complex system-of-systems environments • Architect and integrate AI/ML pipelines and cloud-based services into existing C-UAS architectures, ensuring interoperability with external systems, sensors, and command-and-control (C2) platforms • Collaborate with systems engineers, RF engineers, data scientists, and other stakeholders to ensure software solutions align with system requirements and mission objectives • Lead or mentor junior and mid-level computer scientists/engineers, providing technical guidance and oversight • May lead a team of computer scientists on large and complex projects, including planning, tasking, and technical quality control Mathematical Foundations & Algorithm Development • Apply advanced mathematics including data structures, algorithms, discrete models, and modern algebra to software and algorithm design • Develop, analyze, and optimize algorithms for detection, tracking, decision-support, and other mission-critical capabilities • Evaluate algorithm performance, complexity, and suitability for real-time, distributed, or resource-constrained environments • Support modeling and simulation activities to analyze system behavior and assess performance trade-offs Research, Test, Evaluation & Lifecycle Support • Lead or significantly contribute to research, design, development, testing, evaluation, and maintenance of software applications in an integrated, lifecycle-focused manner • Define and execute unit, integration, and system-level test strategies for software components and services • Define and execute test and evaluation strategies for AI/ML components and cloud-deployed capabilities, including performance, robustness, and scalability in operationally relevant scenarios • Analyze test results, diagnose complex issues, and drive corrective actions and performance improvements • Prepare and maintain technical documentation including architecture/design descriptions, test reports, and user documentation • Maintain awareness of evolving technologies, tools, and methods relevant to C-UAS and advanced software systems What Required Skills You'll Bring Education • Master’s degree in computer science, electronics engineering, or other engineering or technical discipline is required with 6 years of experience OR • 10 years of relevant software/computer science experience may be substituted for education Experience • Minimum 6 years of experience in professional software or application development using modern programming languages • Experience applying: • Fundamentals and principles of artificial intelligence, information systems, networking, distributed processing, real-time controls, system-of-systems, web, cloud, modeling, simulation, or some combination thereof • Computer hardware, systems software, computer system architecture, and system integration • Mathematics including data structures, algorithms, discrete models, and modern algebra • Experience supporting the research, design, development, testing, evaluation, and maintenance of software applications in an integrated manner • Experience leading teams or providing technical leadership on large and complex software projects • Experience designing, implementing, or integrating AI/ML-based capabilities into operational systems, with emphasis on real-time or near-real-time decision-support, detection, or tracking • Experience developing and deploying cloud-based or cloud-native solutions (e.g., using AWS, Azure, GCP, or government/tactical cloud environments) supporting mission or enterprise systems Technical Competencies • Proficiency in one or more modern programming languages such as Pyt