Defense and National Security AI Jobs (2026)
Defense AI is a rapidly growing sector as nations invest in AI-powered systems for national security. From computer vision for surveillance to autonomous systems and cyber defense, these roles apply cutting-edge AI to critical defense applications. Many positions require or prefer security clearances.
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Latest Defense AI Jobs
View all jobsIntern, AI + Bayesian Decision Intelligence for Clinical Trial Modelling (Oncology)
Gen AI Security Researcher
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning- Product Developer in Mumbai
Machine Learning Engineer III (Op AI) - TS clearance - Fort Carson, CO
Machine Learning Engineer III (Op AI) - TS clearance - N. Charleston, SC
Data Engineer - Security & Intellignce
Software Engineer, AI Security
MLOps Engineer (m/w/d) für den Bereich Künstliche Intelligenz (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Engineer ( Infra & Security )
AI Security Researcher
Senior MLOps Engineer - Artificial Intelligence
Data Analyst (Business Intelligence, Python, Machine Learning, Power BI)
Software Engineer III, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
Computer Vision, Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Engineer
Senior Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Engineer - Remote, Latin America
Consultant Device Data Intelligence & Machine Learning
Ingénieur intelligence artificielle - AI/ML Engineer
Machine Learning Engineer III (Op AI) - TS clearance - Washington, D.C.
Machine Learning Engineer III (Op AI) - TS clearance - Aurora, CO
Principal Architect – Autonomous Operations & Intelligence
Frequently Asked Questions
What companies hire for defense AI?
Major employers include Anduril, Palantir, Shield AI, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, L3Harris, and DARPA-funded research organizations. Defense tech startups like Scale AI (government division), Rebellion Defense, and Primer also actively hire AI talent. AI job openings have grown 25.2% year-over-year, and defense AI is one of the fastest-growing sectors. About 70% of AI graduate students are international, but defense roles often require US citizenship, creating a smaller but highly valued talent pool.
Do defense AI jobs require security clearance?
Many defense AI roles require or prefer US security clearance (Secret or Top Secret/SCI). Some positions will sponsor clearance for qualified candidates. Companies often have both cleared and uncleared AI roles, with cleared positions typically offering salary premiums of 10% to 20%. Python (47-58% of AI listings) and C++ are key technical skills, alongside computer vision and autonomous systems expertise. The new $100K H-1B fee and wage-based lottery changes in 2025-2026 may further limit international access to defense-adjacent roles.
What is the salary for defense AI roles?
Defense AI salaries are competitive, with ML engineers earning $140K-$250K and senior roles reaching $250K-$400K+ at top defense tech companies. Cleared positions command 10-20% premiums above market rate. AI Engineers average $140K-$185K base with total comp around $211K, and defense roles typically match or exceed this. US-based roles dominate this sector, with SF, DC, and Boston being the primary hubs. The security clearance requirement limits the talent pool, supporting strong compensation.
AI Job Insights for Defense AI Jobs
Salary Range (Yearly, USD)
$150 - $1000K
Median $148K from 47 listings with salary data
Top Companies Hiring
Based on recent listings shown on this page.
Common Roles
Counts reflect recent listings, not total market size.
In-Demand Skills
Derived from tags on recent listings.
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