---
title: 'AI Engineer at 9th Way Insignia'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/ai-engineer-9th-way-insignia-united-states-4w2vw07pmsk7'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# AI Engineer at 9th Way Insignia

- **Company:** 9th Way Insignia
- **Location:** United States
- **Compensation:** $98k–$185k
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-09-03
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/9thwayinsignia/jobs/5393451008

## Job description

9th Way Insignia is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business bringing transformative technology to our government customers so they can achieve their missions.  Our specialties include cybersecurity, cloud modernization, software development, data analytics, enterprise architecture, enterprise IT, analytics, process automation, and artificial intelligence.  Learn more about 9th Way Insignia at [https://9thwayinsignia.com/.](https://9thwayinsignia.com/)

Application password: Niner

## Team (Project) Introduction

We are recruiting for a range of cybersecurity opportunities supporting federal customers, focused on strengthening enterprise security architecture, systems engineering, and the secure implementation of technologies across the environment.

The work involves applying established cybersecurity standards, guidelines, and frameworks to help translate organizational and business requirements into secure, scalable technical solutions. Team members may contribute to security architecture and engineering efforts, implementation guidance, technical analysis, and the development of repeatable approaches that support the consistent deployment and operation of secure technologies across complex enterprise environments.

Systems security engineering is an important component of this work, with an emphasis on incorporating security and stakeholder protection requirements throughout the system development life cycle, from concept and design through development, production, sustainment, and decommissioning. The team will apply established systems engineering and cybersecurity principles to help protect systems, applications, data, and supporting technologies.

Ultimately, this work supports the broader mission to strengthen its cybersecurity posture, reduce organizational risk, and protect critical systems and information from evolving cyber threats, including external adversaries and insider threats.

9th Way Insignia is looking for an Engineer, 3, Artificial Intelligence Engineer to join this team.

Professional Level Information: An Engineer, 3 typically plans and directs research or development work on complex projects, along with engaging various parties in design and development. Costs and recommendations of new components may also involve part of the job scope. Performs multiple engineering-related tasks in various assignments within the project and firm. An Engineer, 3 oversees the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical products and systems.  An Engineer, 3 has broad knowledge of engineering procedures and assists in the resolution of complex problems.  An Engineer, 3 has strong technical skills and background, a knack for learning new technologies, and a blend of good problem-solving and innovation needed to resolve a wide variety of technical production challenges.

Functional Job (LCAT) Information: The Artificial Intelligence Engineer will design, develop, implement, secure, evaluate, and maintain Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Large Language Model (LLM) solutions supporting the program. The engineer will work closely with cybersecurity engineers, architects, data scientists, software developers, and Government stakeholders to deliver secure, reliable, responsible, and production-ready AI capabilities.

Responsibilities:

- Design, develop, train, test, deploy, and maintain AI and machine learning models for enterprise-scale and Government applications.
- Develop and operationalize production AI/ML solutions, ensuring models and supporting systems are reliable, scalable, maintainable, and appropriate for VA mission requirements.
- Collect, clean, transform, analyze, and prepare structured and unstructured data for AI/ML model development, training, testing, and evaluation.
- Evaluate potential AI technologies, models, tools, frameworks, and architectures and recommend solutions appropriate for complex Federal Government and cybersecurity use cases.
- Apply AI and machine learning techniques to solve real-world business, cybersecurity, engineering, analytics, and operational problems across a large enterprise environment.
- Develop and support Generative AI and Large Language Model (LLM) solutions, including model configuration, system prompts, classifiers, fine-tuning, content moderation, safety filters, and other model controls.
- Evaluate AI-generated outputs for accuracy, factuality, grounding, reliability, bias, helpfulness, honesty, and overall model performance before outputs are incorporated into VA efforts.
- Design and execute AI/ML model evaluation and validation methodologies, including benchmark testing and comparative evaluation of model outputs.
- Perform and support AI red-team testing to identify weaknesses, unintended model behaviors, bias, security vulnerabilities, and other risks associated with AI-generated outputs.
- Implement mechanisms and controls to improve the factuality and grounding of AI/LLM outputs, including system-level instructions, source attribution, content controls, and appropriate response behavior when information is incomplete, contradictory, or uncertain.
- Develop, implement, and maintain processes for continuous AI model monitoring, including evaluation of model outputs and identification of material deviations from applicable AI requirements.
- Investigate AI performance, compliance, security, or model-behavior issues and develop corrective actions and mitigation strategies, including identification of responsible parties and resolution timelines.
- Manage and assess AI/LLM model changes throughout the system lifecycle, including retraining, fine-tuning, model version changes, new features, classifiers, prompts, filters, controls, and architectural modifications.
- Maintain detailed technical documentation supporting the development and operation of AI/LLM solutions, including Model Cards, System Cards, Data Cards, evaluation results, training activities, model configurations, enterprise controls, and system documentation.
- Document pre-training and post-training activities, including actions affecting model factuality and grounding, system prompts, safety controls, content moderation, red-team activities, and other model configuration decisions.
- Support development and maintenance of AI acceptable-use policies, end-user guidance, feedback mechanisms, monitoring plans, and governance documentation.
- Ensure AI solutions protect VA-sensitive information, personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), and other sensitive Government data from unauthorized access, disclosure, use, or incorporation into external AI training datasets.
- Ensure AI solutions comply with applicable VA cybersecurity requirements, Federal AI requirements, security policies, privacy requirements, and responsible/trustworthy AI governance requirements.
- Incorporate secure-by-design, Zero Trust, least-privilege, defense-in-depth, and risk-management principles into the architecture and engineering of AI-enabled systems.
- Support security and architectural reviews of AI-enabled solutions and identify security risks, vulnerabilities, control gaps, attack paths, misuse cases, and appropriate mitigations prior to implementation.
- Collaborate with data scientists, cybersecurity architects and engineers, software developers, DevSecOps engineers, domain SMEs, program leadership, and Government stakeholders throughout the AI system development lifecycle.
- Translate mission, cybersecurity, business, and technical requirements into practical AI/ML architectures, models, engineering solutions, and implementation approaches.
- Participate in technical design reviews, pilots, proofs of concept, use-case development, modernization initiatives, engineering working groups, and other activities involving AI and emerging technologies.
- Produce technical documentation, analysis, recommendations, briefings, and other materials that clearly communicate AI architecture, model performance, risks, controls, and recommended courses of action to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Deliver Government-owned AI-related technical artifacts developed under the program, including applicable models, model weights, algorithms, configurations, documentation, data models, source code, and supporting technical components.
- Other responsibilities as assigned
- May require up to two onsite travel visits per year

Requirements:

- Minimum of 10 years of experience in relevant fields including IT security, data science, or software engineering, of which at least 5 years involve the design, development, or deployment of AI or machine learning systems in enterprise or Government environments A PhD in a related field (IT security, data science, or software engineering) may substitute for up to 5 years of the required experience
- Expertise working on data science, machine learning, or AI projects, either through internships, research projects, or professional roles.
- Expertise building, training, and deploying machine learning models and AI systems in a production environment.
- Expertise collaborating with cross-functional teams, including data scientists, software developers, and domain experts.
- Expertise in data collection, cleaning, and analysis techniques to prepare datasets for AI modeling.
- Expertise applying AI solutions to real-world problems in various enterprises and domains such as large corporations and Government agencies similar in size/scope to GSA, IRS, DoD or VA

Preferred/Desired:

- Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, Business Administration, Business Management, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Assurance, Information Security, Information Resource Management, or related fields.
- CASP+ (SecurityX), CCISO, CISA, CISM, CISSP, CISSP-ISSAP, CISSP-ISSEP, GCED, GCIH, GSLC, CCNP Security

Salary Range $98,135.18—$185,000 USD

9th Way Insignia’s range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Clearance/Background Investigation Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

## Benefits

Eligible employees will have access to our comprehensive benefits package which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Voluntary Life Insurance, 401(k), Basic Life A&D, STD, LTD, PTO, Telehealth, paid holidays, FSA, HSA. Additional resources include our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Traveling Assistance.

Legal We’re an equal employment opportunity employer that empowers our people to fearlessly drive change – no matter their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or related medical conditions), national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

## About 9th Way Insignia

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: 9th Way Insignia is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that provides cybersecurity, automation, data science, and AI solutions to federal agencies.
- **Entity Type**: Private (SDVOSB; no public funding rounds disclosed)
- **Headquarters**: Not publicly listed in available sources; operates primarily in the Washington, D.C. metro area with remote positions across the U.S.
- **Founded**: 2018
- **Founders**: Steve Ikirt (CEO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Federal IT & Cybersecurity, Digital Transformation, Government Contracting
- **Target customers**: U.S. federal agencies (Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Transportation, Department of State, Department of Commerce, USPTO)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "We reject predefined limitations—instead, we create new solutions. We redefine what’s possible in Technology, Cybersecurity, and Digital Transformation, forging innovative paths where others cling to conventional frameworks." (The "Ninth Way" philosophy)

## Products & Services
- **Cybersecurity**: System security engineering, risk management, and compliance for mission-critical federal systems.
- **Automation / Intelligent Automation**: Streamlining operations, reducing manual effort, and lowering costs through automated workflows.
- **Data Science & Artificial Intelligence**: Applied analytics, machine learning, and AI to drive insights and operational efficiency for government clients.
- **Software Development**: Custom application development, DevSecOps, and system integration (e.g., MUMPS, ServiceNow, Power BI, ETL).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed.
- **Key Metric**: Not publicly available (private company). Notable contract wins include the VA T4NG prime contract and a USPTO contract (reported value approx. $8M).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: No external investors; key partners include U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, HHS, DOT, DOC, State, and USPTO.
- **Growth Signals**: Acquired Insignia Technology Services in 2019, expanding into multiple federal agencies; maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification and CMMI Level 2 compliance; continued hiring across remote and DC-based roles.

## Competitive Advantages
- **SDVOSB status** – Eligible for set-aside contracts and strongly aligned with federal veteran-hiring initiatives.
- **Specialized expertise** – Combines cybersecurity, automation, data science, and AI under one roof, tailored for government needs.
- **Proven delivery** – Holds key prime contracts (VA T4NG, USPTO) and certifications (ISO 9001, CMMI Level 2).
- **Culture of innovation** – The "Ninth Way" philosophy pushes beyond conventional government contracting approaches.

## Strategic Focus
- Deepen relationships with existing federal clients while expanding into new agencies.
- Leverage automation and AI to drive cost savings and mission efficiency for government customers.
- Continue investing in veteran talent and maintaining a people-first culture to attract top mission-driven professionals.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: People‑first, veteran‑friendly, with core values of Integrity, Courage, and Excellence.
- **Remote/Hybrid**: Many roles are fully remote (United States); some positions require on-site in Washington, D.C. (e.g., VA contracts).
- **Benefits**: Competitive medical/dental/vision, HSA/FSA, 401(k) with up to 3% match, $3,000 annual professional development allowance (non-SCA FTEs), employer-paid life insurance, short/long-term disability, wellness program, telehealth.
- **Mission**: Opportunity to work on meaningful federal projects that directly support veterans and national priorities.

## Sources
1. [9thwayinsignia.com – Home](https://9thwayinsignia.com/)
2. [9thwayinsignia.com – About Us](https://9thwayinsignia.com/about-us/)
3. [9thwayinsignia.com – Careers](https://9thwayinsignia.com/careers/)
4. [Greenhouse – Jobs at 9th Way Insignia](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/9thwayinsignia)
5. [9thwayinsignia.com – New About Us](https://9thwayinsignia.com/new-about-us/)

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