Software Engineer – AI Integration | DoD Security Clearance
Columbia, MD
September 23, 2026
Phoenix Operations Group seeks a Software Engineer in Columbia, Maryland, to build secure AI integrations and agent capabilities for enterprise data platforms. This hybrid position requires approximately 1–2 days onsite per week. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance are required; an active clearance is not required at the time of hire.
Responsibilities
- Develop Python backend services, MCP servers, and reusable AI tools.
- Deploy and scale Kubernetes workloads.
- Connect AI agents with APIs, databases, and microservices.
- Implement privacy safeguards, prompt-injection defenses, and output validation.
- Automate testing, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate across engineering teams.
What our employees say
Very interesting work. Management is top-notch. Great pay and benefits. Lots of learning and training opportunities.
Fellow employees are some of the most talented and happy people I've had the pleasure of working with. Phoenix tries and succeeds at doing right by them and everyone stays happy with the company and leadership.
Challenging work with excellent compensation. Responsive and caring management team that are committed to building a long term relationship with their employees. They are very supportive about improving your career. Small company culture with big benefits and perks.
Phoenix has been very accommodating to schedules and commutes. Phoenix is also actively interested in giving back to the community and regularly hosts events to support different charitable groups. Management is responsive and actively tries to make sure employees have what they need.
Phoenix is by far the best company I have worked for, both professionally and personally. Leadership is dependable and honest. They go out of their way to ensure that their employees are taken care of as well as on a career path that suits their desires as well as strengths. There are also plenty of growth opportunities in regards to professional development. Amazing company.
In the past at other federal defense contractors what you often see is that people are treated as replaceable cogs. Money runs out for a contract and either the person has to find their own replacement work or they get no choice but to find different work at a new job. This past year with the tumult of continuing resolutions I've been impressed on how agile Phoenix has been in finding and getting coverage for all their various projects at various locations. They treat people like assets instead of replaceable parts.
Management has helped me further develop my technical skills and has supported me in all my professional and personal development objectives. I can't say enough good things about the management. The company is fairly young and still small. If you're looking for a better place to work, then here it is. They work hard to get you into positions that are challenging and that align not only with the company objectives but most importantly yours.