About The Company Torch.AI is at the forefront of developing the government’s AI-native control layer, a critical infrastructure designed to provide the United States with lasting ownership over the creation, management, and application of knowledge in mission-critical environments. Our mission is to ensure that the U.S. government, not external vendors, operates its own AI infrastructure to facilitate decisive, real-time operational decisions.
We specialize in transforming complex data into actionable intelligence across various domains such as information advantage, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), joint effects, force protection, and mission support. Working at Torch.AI means contributing to national security by building scalable, secure, and innovative AI solutions that directly impact the safety and effectiveness of U.S. defense operations.
About The Role We are seeking a talented Technical Program Manager (TPM) to join our team and bridge the gap between program management, systems engineering, and deployment coordination for mission-critical AI and data platforms. This role involves managing cross-functional execution, ensuring technical alignment between engineering teams and mission stakeholders, and supporting deployment activities within classified and unclassified environments.
While this is not a software engineering position, the TPM should possess enough technical knowledge to understand system architectures, interpret API requirements, validate deployments, and assist in troubleshooting during go-live phases. The role requires a TS/SCI clearance due to the sensitive nature of the work involved.
The ideal candidate will be experienced in managing complex projects involving machine learning models, data pipelines, and deployment workflows, with a strong focus on operational readiness and security compliance. You will work closely with engineers, data scientists, and mission practitioners to ensure successful implementation and deployment of AI solutions that enhance national security capabilities.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
• 1–3 years of experience in software engineering or applied machine learning (including internships)
• Strong fundamentals in Python programming
• Familiarity with at least one ML/NLP library such as scikit-learn, spaCy, or Transformers
• Understanding of basic machine learning concepts including data preprocessing, training loops, metrics, and validation
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), containers, or CI/CD pipelines is a plus
• Exposure to large language models (LLMs), embeddings, or vector search technologies is advantageous
• Knowledge of MLOps tools like MLflow, DVC, or FastAPI is beneficial
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset
• Active TS/SCI security clearance or eligibility for sponsorship
Responsibilities
• Support the implementation and evaluation of machine learning models under the guidance of senior engineers using libraries such as scikit-learn, spaCy, or TensorFlow/PyTorch
• Assist in data preparation, preprocessing, feature engineering, and dataset curation activities
• Contribute to retrieval or generation pipeline components utilizing large language models and embeddings, with mentorship
• Participate in building prototype applications using frameworks like LangChain or Haystack
• Run experiments related to NLP/NLU tasks such as classification, entity extraction, or information retrieval
• Learn and apply deployment, monitoring, and model lifecycle management best practices
• Engage in code reviews, documentation, and agile development processes to ensure quality and consistency
• Coordinate deployment activities across secure and unclassified environments, validating system architectures and network configurations
• Support troubleshooting and issue resolution during go-live phases to ensure smooth deployment
Benefits
• 401(k) retirement plan with voluntary enrollment options
• Comprehensive medical plans including PPO, HSA, and TRICARE supplements with above-average contributions
• High employer contributions to health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts
• Dental plans with high annual maximums
• Vision benefits through the VSP Choice network with generous frame allowances
• Employer-paid life insurance coverage equal to 1× salary
• Disability insurance providing top-tier short-term and long-term coverage
• Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans
• Tax-free commuter benefits up to $300/month
• Unlimited paid time off and 11 paid