Applied AI Engineer - National Security (TS/SCI)

TRM Labs • Full-time • Washington, D.C. • $200k - $265k / year • 2m ago

TRM Labs is a blockchain intelligence company committed to fighting crime and creating a safer world. By leveraging blockchain data, threat intelligence, and advanced analytics, our products empower governments, financial institutions, and crypto businesses to combat illicit activity and global security threats. At TRM, you'll join a mission-driven, fast-paced team made up of experts in law enforcement, data science, engineering, and financial intelligence, tackling complex global challenges daily. Whether analyzing blockchain data, developing cutting-edge tools, or collaborating with global organizations, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact.

As TRM’s first Applied AI Engineer embedded with our Forward Deployed Engineering team, you’ll help bring generative AI into the heart of U.S. national security missions. This role is about impact at the edge: building and deploying AI systems in secure, high-side environments where speed, accuracy, and trust are mission-critical.

At TRM, we fuse blockchain intelligence with AI to illuminate hidden risks and strengthen global security. In this role, you won’t just be building models—you’ll be shaping how cutting-edge technology accelerates outcomes that protect national interests and public safety.

The impact you’ll have here:

Deploy AI to the mission edge. Act as the primary technical interface with national security customers, deploying TRM’s AI capabilities into classified, airgapped, and mission-critical environments. Adapt solutions to real-world constraints while ensuring secure, reliable integration.
Own AI application lifecycles. Build, tune, deploy, and optimize AI systems tailored to mission needs. Apply techniques like retrieval-augmented generation, prompt optimization, and fine-tuning to ensure performance at scale.
Accelerate mission wins. Drive pilots and long-term programs by working directly with end users, closing the loop between operators and engineering. Capture field feedback, measure mission impact, and channel insights back into TRM’s product and research roadmaps.

What we’re looking for:

Strong background in ML model evaluation/tuning, Python, API integration, SQL, and MCP servers.
Proven ability to deliver results quickly within highly regulated or bureaucratic environments.
A customer-first mindset: you identify mission impact, work backward from it, and remove blockers to deliver.
Excellent communicator, able to interface confidently with technical and non-technical stakeholders and build trust in high-stakes settings.
Bonus: Experience with ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow), API design, Kubernetes (Helm), and Terraform/IaC deployments.
Candidate must have an active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.

About the Team:

The AI Engineering and Forward Deployed teams at TRM are mission-focused builders. We pair deep technical expertise with direct engagement in the field, delivering AI capabilities that matter when and where they are needed most.
The AI Engineering team is globally distributed. The Forward Deployed team is U.S.-based and aligned to the Eastern timezone, operating both onsite and remotely. We communicate across secure and unclassified channels, adapting seamlessly to whatever the mission requires.
We prioritize speed, transparency, and impact. Weekly syncs and project check-ins keep us aligned. Project tracking is always up to date. Issues are flagged immediately and resolved with urgency.
We always put the customer first – The Forward Deployed team is on the front-lines working directly with customers and will develop close relationships with them. We do whatever it takes to ensure their mission success.

Learn about TRM Speed in this position:

Rapid Issue Resolution. TRM Engineers identify and resolve critical onsite issues in minutes to hours, not weeks. We create virtual war rooms, implement fixes, and share lessons with both customer stakeholders and internal teams within 48 hours.
Navigating Bureaucracy. We anticipate and address procedural hurdles, build trust with key stakeholders, and find alternative pathways to approvals. This keeps projects moving even in complex environments.
Efficient Knowledge Transfer. Engineers document and share updates in real time, ensuring the entire team—onsite and remote—has full visibility into plans, blockers, and resolutions. Knowledge sharing sessions and clear documentation reduce friction and accelerate delivery.

About TRM's Engineering Levels:

Engineer: Responsible for helping to define project milestones and executing small decision decisions independently with the appropriate tradeoffs between simplicity, readability, and performance. Provides mentorship to junior engineers, and enhances operational excellence through tech debt reduction and knowledge sharing.

Senior Engineer: Successfully designs and documents system improvements and features for an OKR/project from the ground up. Consistently delivers efficient and reusable systems, optimizes team throughput with appropriate tradeoffs, mentors team members, and enhances cross-team collaboration through documentation and knowledge sharing.

Staff Engineer: Drives scoping and execution of one or more OKRs/projects that impact multiple teams. Partners with stakeholders to set the team vision and technical roadmaps for one or more products. Is a role model and mentor to the entire engineering organization. Ensures system health and quality with operational reviews, testing strategies, and monitoring rigor.

The following represents the expected range of compensation for this role:

The estimated base salary range for this role is $200,000 - $265,000.
Additionally, this role may be eligible to participate in TRM’s equity plan.
Please note – we factor in the different costs for geographies outside the United States.

Life at TRM Labs

Leadership Principles

Our Leadership Principles shape everything we do—how we make decisions, collaborate, and operate day to day.

Impact-Oriented Trailblazer – We put customers first, driving for speed, focus, and adaptability.
Master Craftsperson – We prioritize speed, high standards, and distributed ownership.
Inspiring Colleague – We value humility, candor, and a one-team mindset.

Accelerate your Career

At TRM, you’ll do work that matters—disrupting terrorist networks, recovering stolen funds, and protecting people around the world. You will:

Work alongside top experts and learn every day.
Embrace a growth mindset with development opportunities tailored to your role.
Take on high-impact challenges in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Thrive in a culture of coaching, where feedback is fast, direct, and built to help you level up.

What to Expect at TRM

TRM moves fast—really fast. We know a lot of startups say that, but we mean it. We operate with urgency, ownership, and high standards. As a result, you’ll be joining a team that’s highly engaged, mission-driven, and constantly evolving.

To support this intensity, we’re also intentional about rest and recharge. We offer generous benefits, including PTO, Holidays, and Parental Leave for full time employees.

That said, TRM may not be the right fit for everyone. If you're optimizing for work life balance, we encourage you to:

Ask your interviewers how they personally approach balance within their teams, and
Reflect on whether this is the right season in your life to join a high-velocity environment.
Be honest with yourself about what energizes you—and what drains you

We’re upfront about this because we want every new team member to thrive—not just survive.

The Stakes Are Real

Our work has direct, real-world impact:

Jumping online after hours to support urgent government requests tracing ransomware payments.
Delivering actionable insights during terrorist financing investigations.
Collaborating across time zones in real time during a major global hack.
Building new processes in days, not weeks, to stop criminals before they cash out.
Analyzing blockchain data to recover stolen savings and dismantle trafficking networks.

Thrive as a Global Team

As a remote-first company, TRM Labs is built for global collaboration.

We cultivate a strong remote culture through clear communication, thorough documentation, and meaningful relationships.
We invest in offsites, regional meetups, virtual coffee chats, and onboarding buddies to foster collaboration.
By prioritizing trust and belonging, we harness the strengths of a global team while staying aligned with our mission and values.

Join our mission!

We’re looking for team members who thrive in fast-paced, high-impact environments and love building from the ground up. TRM is remote-first, with an exceptionally talented global team. If you enjoy solving tough problems and seeing your work make a difference for billions of people, we want you here. Don’t worry if your experience doesn’t perfectly match a job description— we value passion, problem-solving, and unique career paths. If you’re excited about TRM’s mission, we want to hear from you.

Recruitment agencies

TRM Labs does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to TRM employees. TRM Labs is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes and will not pay fees to any third-party agency or company without a signed agreement.

Privacy Policy

By submitting your application, you are agreeing to allow TRM to process your personal information in accordance with the TRM Privacy Policy

Learn More: Company Values | Interviewing | FAQs

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