> AI agents: this is one page of Nextmove’s FDE site, in Markdown. Nextmove is a job board and free career service for forward deployed engineers (FDEs). Each posting is classified from its text, not its title: the kind of work, how much of it is production code, pre-sales weight, time at customer sites, travel, remote arrangement, level and posted base pay. The site also publishes the aggregates: median pay by level, metro, company and kind of work, and which companies started hiring FDEs each week. Every page under https://nextmove.md/fde is served this way; the index of pages is https://nextmove.md/llms.txt.

# AI Engineer

Canonical URL: https://nextmove.md/fde/jobs/16a4c0839b8b960b

CACI posts a FDE role to build what the customer runs in Denver, CO and 1 more, at $82,100–$172,400 base, below the senior FDE median of $190,000 across 1,864 postings with pay. AI Engineer in CACI’s AI Center of Excellence, delivering production-ready generative AI applications through rapid 1–2-month rotations across diverse federal mission programs. Read from the employer’s posting on November 8, 2026.

- [CACI](https://nextmove.md/fde/companies/caci)

First seen Oct 2, 2026 · open on Workday as of Nov 8, 2026

**$82,100–$172,400** Denver, CO +1 Full-time

AI Engineer in CACI’s AI Center of Excellence, delivering production-ready generative AI applications through rapid 1–2-month rotations across diverse federal mission programs.

- [See roles that fit me](https://nextmove.md/sign-up?from=%2Ffde%2Fjobs%2F16a4c0839b8b960b&placement=top)
- [View posting at CACI](https://caci.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/external/job/Denver-CO-US/AI-Engineer_333066)

Free. Upload your resume once, see why each FDE role fits, and get introduced only when you say so.

## At a glance

### Posted base pay

$82K–$172K Below the median

Midpoint $127K · median $190K

This job $82K to $172K. Senior FDE postings, 1,864 postings: the middle 50% of posted pay is $160K to $220K, median $190K.

### The work

Builds what the customer runs

Balance **Mostly building**

Project stages

1. Pre-sales (not covered)
2. Proof of concept
3. Implementation
4. Operations

Travel **None stated**

- **Coding**: Writes production code

- **Builds for**: Internal teams

- **Level**: Senior

- **Role**: Technical lead

### What they ask for

Experience

- **3+ years** building production applications with Python/JavaScript, Git workflows, and modern development practices
- **5+ years** building production applications with Python/JavaScript, Git workflows, and modern development practices

Background

- **Software engineering**

### Do you meet what the posting states?

The posting asks for 3+ years. How many do you have?

The posting reads as a senior role. What level are you at now?

The job is in Denver, CO · Reston, VA. Could you work in one of these?

Which of these have you used in production?

Answer each one. Nothing is saved or sent.

[What postings ask for, by background →](https://nextmove.md/fde/paths)

## Conditions

- **Location**: Denver, CO · Reston, VA

- **Employment type**: Full-time

- **Travel**: No travel stated

- **Pay**:

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## The job description from CACI

Job Title: AI Engineer

Job Category: Engineering

Time Type: Full time

Minimum Clearance Required to Start: None

Employee Type: Regular

Percentage of Travel Required: None

Type of Travel: None

Anticipated Posting End: 2/1/2027

**The Opportunity:**
CACI is seeking a AI Engineer to join our AI Center of Excellence, part of a fast-moving CTO organization driving the integration and scaling of AI across CACI's mission, program, and business operations.

AI Engineer delivering rapid, high-impact AI solutions across diverse programs. This is a rapid, prototype development role —you'll support different programs in 1-2 month rotational engagements, deploying working AI applications, establishing best practices, and transferring knowledge to make teams operationally independent. You'll work hands-on with cutting-edge GenAI technologies—building RAG pipelines, deploying conversational AI platforms, implementing multi-agent systems—while leveraging our solution catalog of battle-tested templates. Between engagements, you'll contribute your field learnings back to the catalog, creating reusable patterns that accelerate AI adoption across CACI.

This role is ideal for engineers who thrive on variety over deep ownership, value making others successful, and want to shape how the Federal Government adopts AI across diverse mission areas. **
**

### Responsibilities

- **Rapid AI Application Delivery:** Deliver production-ready AI solutions in 1–2‑month rotations, including RAG pipelines, conversational platforms, and multi‑agent systems tailored to each program’s mission and tech stack.
- **GenAI Implementation:** Build and customize AI solutions using vector databases, orchestration frameworks, and managed AI services while implementing observability, security, and cost controls.
- **Integration & Operationalization:** Integrate LLM APIs and AI services into existing workflows; apply responsible AI guardrails; configure monitoring/alerting; and resolve integration issues across cloud and on‑prem environments.
- **Knowledge Transfer & Enablement:** Lead hands‑on training, create documentation, and pair‑program with teams to ensure they can independently operate and evolve AI applications.
- **Solution Catalog Contributions:** Improve existing templates, create reusable patterns, and document new techniques based on field experience.
- **Operational Validation:** Confirm teams reach full operational independence through structured handoff and validation processes.
- **Continuous Learning:** Explore emerging GenAI tools, evaluate federal use‑case applicability, and share insights through demos and documentation.

**Qualifications:**
*Required: *

- 3–5 years building production applications with Python/JavaScript, Git workflows, and modern development practices.
- Practical experience with LLM‑powered apps, agent patterns, RAG, prompt engineering, vector databases, and observability concepts; hands‑on experimentation preferred.
- Monitor AI performance (latency, cost, quality), address common failure modes, and apply responsible AI practices such as bias detection and guardrails.
- Strong background designing, implementing, and troubleshooting RESTful and event‑driven integrations.
- Experience with AWS/Azure/GCP, containerization, CI/CD, IaC concepts, and secure API/key management.
- Understanding of basic ML concepts and how they apply to LLM systems.
- Proven ability to deliver solutions quickly in unfamiliar environments with evolving requirements.
- Strong communication skills and ability to create clear documentation and teach complex AI concepts.
- Ability to make trade‑offs under pressure, prioritize working solutions, and leverage reusable templates.
- Active user of modern AI tools; stays current through experimentation and community engagement.
- Experience with GitLab, Jira, and iterative delivery.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a up to a Top Secret clearance.

*Desired:*

- Experience deploying agentic AI systems, using observability tools, vector databases, guardrails, embeddings, and structured outputs.
- AWS (Bedrock/GovCloud), Azure OpenAI, Kubernetes, Terraform, and CI/CD pipeline experience.
- Proficiency in JS/TS/Python for front‑end/back‑end development and modern frameworks like React or FastAPI.
- Experience leading client engagements, context‑switching across projects, and delivering strong knowledge transfer.
- Familiarity with DoD/federal missions, security requirements, and compliance frameworks (ATO, NIST).
- History of open‑source work, technical writing, conference speaking, or similar community involvement.
- Security+, AWS certifications, or other relevant technical credentials.

-

### What You Can Expect

### A culture of integrity.

At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.

### An environment of trust.

CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.

### A focus on continuous growth.

Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.

### Pay Range

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.

Since this position can be worked in more than one location, the range shown is the national average for the position.

The proposed salary range for this position is:

$82,100-$172,400

*CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.*

[View posting at CACI](https://caci.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/external/job/Denver-CO-US/AI-Engineer_333066)

## About CACI

Delivers cleared mission technology, cyber, IT modernization, and engineering expertise for U.S. defense, intelligence, and federal civilian agencies.

Public · 5000+ people

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