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Data Annotation Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Seekr

Senior Data Scientist

Reston, VA

Coordinate data collection and annotation efforts for supervised training efforts * Design and ... Strong programming skills in Python required. Experience in java and html a plus. * Experience ...

Axle

Data Science Fellow - AI/NLP

Rockville, MD · On-site

With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on ... Develop benchmark datasets, annotation guidelines, and evaluation pipelines for scientific ...

State Affairs

Software Engineer

Washington, DC

$120K - $180K/yr

Software Engineers own userfacing features endtoend: slick React/NextJS interfaces, performant Node ... Design delightful data workflow such as instant search, realtime diffing, collaborative annotation ...

Seekr

Senior Data Scientist

Reston, VA · On-site

Coordinate data collection and annotation efforts for supervised training efforts * Design and ... Strong programming skills in Python required. Experience in java and html a plus. * Experience ...

CoVar

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$105K - $145K/yr

Experience with data curation/annotation workflows and dataset quality control. * Software engineering: Python (NumPy, scipy, pandas/polars), PyTorch (preferred) or TensorFlow, git, CI/CD pipelines ...

State Affairs

Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

Software Engineers own user-facing features end-to-end: slick React/Next JS interfaces, performant ... Design delightful data workflow such as instant search, real-time diffing, collaborative annotation ...

BlackSky

Staff Engineer, AI

Herndon, VA · On-site +1

Staff AI Engineer About Us: BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company. We own and operate the ... Collaborate with the Data QA team to define annotation standards, resolve taxonomy issues, and ...

BlackSky

Staff Engineer, AI

Herndon, VA · On-site

Staff AI Engineer About Us: BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company. We own and operate the ... Collaborate with the Data QA team to define annotation standards, resolve taxonomy issues, and ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsData Annotation Engineer JobsData Annotation Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Data Annotation Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$58.3K

$167K

$223.1K

How much do data annotation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for data annotation engineer in Washington, DC is $167,014.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,100.00 and $222,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the main challenges faced by Data Annotation Engineers in their daily work?

One of the main challenges Data Annotation Engineers face is ensuring consistent accuracy and quality in labeling large and often complex datasets. Attention to detail is critical, as even small errors can significantly affect machine learning model performance. Additionally, engineers must frequently adapt to evolving annotation guidelines and emerging data types, which requires ongoing learning and flexibility. Collaboration with data scientists and project managers is common to clarify requirements and resolve ambiguities, making strong communication skills essential for success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Data Annotation Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Annotation Engineer, you need a strong background in data analysis, attention to detail, and familiarity with annotation processes, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with annotation tools like Labelbox, CVAT, or VIA, and understanding of data formats used in machine learning, is commonly required. Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills help you effectively manage projects and cooperate with cross-functional teams. These abilities are crucial for delivering high-quality labeled data, which directly impacts the performance of AI and machine learning models.

Does data annotation really pay?

Data annotation engineers can earn competitive wages, often paid hourly or per task, with pay rates varying based on experience, complexity of annotations, and the platform or employer. Entry-level roles may start at minimum wage, while experienced annotators or those with specialized skills can earn higher salaries or freelance rates. Overall, data annotation can provide a reliable income, especially for remote or flexible work arrangements.

What is the highest salary for data annotator?

The highest salary for a data annotation engineer can reach up to $80,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of annotation tasks. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in tools like Labelbox or CVAT may earn higher compensation. Salaries vary widely across companies and regions but generally reflect the technical skills required for high-quality data labeling.

What is a data annotation engineer?

A data annotation engineer is a professional responsible for labeling and annotating data, such as images, text, or videos, to prepare it for machine learning models. They often use specialized tools and follow guidelines to ensure data quality, supporting the development of AI systems.

How hard is it to get hired by data annotation?

Getting hired as a data annotation engineer typically requires basic computer skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with annotation tools. Many positions are entry-level and may not require advanced degrees, but strong accuracy and consistency are important for success in the role.

What is a Data Annotation Engineer job?

A Data Annotation Engineer is responsible for labeling and annotating data—such as text, images, audio, or video—to train machine learning models. They ensure that data is accurately categorized and structured to improve model performance. This role often involves using specialized annotation tools, following detailed guidelines, and working closely with data scientists and AI teams. Data Annotation Engineers play a crucial role in the development of AI applications by providing high-quality labeled datasets for supervised learning.

What are popular job titles related to Data Annotation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Data Annotation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Data Annotation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Data Annotation Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Data Annotation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Annotation Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $167,014 per year, or $80.3 per hour.

Senior Data Scientist

Seekr

Reston, VA

Other

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

About the Opportunity: 

We are looking for talented Data Scientiststo join our team and deliver generative and predictive capabilities for US Government customers.  The right candidate will work on the design, development, and deployment of AI/ML capabilities for various applications implementing generative AI and integrations with predictive capabilities (agentic workflows, LLM fine-tuning).  Additionally, this person will be working on quick proof-of-concept solutions but also building in a generalized fashion to support longer term implementation.

From your first day, you will make a valuable contribution. We are a fast-growing company where no one is a bystander. We offer you the opportunity to make a meaningful impact for the US while designing and developing cutting-edge, novel capabilities.

Active US Security clearance or eligibility and willingness to obtain a US Security clearance. Top Secret with SCI eligibility highly preferred. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Design, implement, and deploy machine learning algorithms for USG customers 
  • Design and develop prototype solutions incorporating both generative and predictive capabilities
  • Serve as the subject matter expert on cutting-edge generative techniques to enhance the government team's ability to produce meaningful insights
  • Design, implement, and manage machine learning data pipelines
  • Conduct research and development on agentic integration of capabilities and application to USG use cases
  • Interact directly with customers and subject matter experts, translating AI/ML concepts into practical language
  • Manage machine learning algorithm lifecycle
  • Support pre-sales efforts, identifying how the Seekr Platform could help satisfy customer requirements
  • Coordinate data collection and annotation efforts for supervised training efforts
  • Design and implement tests for machine learning algorithm effectiveness and performance monitoring
  • Research and development on cutting-edge machine learning technologies

Qualifications and Skills: 

  • Graduate degree in Computer Science preferred with a strong background in machine learning required
  • Strong problem-solving abilities, solid background in algorithms and data structures required 
  • Comfortable interacting with customers and subject matter experts, translating complex AI/ML concepts into practical language and impacts
  • Familiar with generative AI concepts like RAG, prompt engineering, agents, structured output, multi-modal LLMs, various embedding models
  • Strong programming skills in Python required. Experience in java and html a plus. 
  • Experience working with or in the DoD, US Intelligence Community, or US Federal Civilian agencies
  • Solid knowledge of machine learning tools (eg. scikit-learn, tensorflow, keras, pytorch, Spark MLlib) required 
  • Solid knowledge of LLM Frameworks such as LangChain, LlamaIndex,pydantic Transformers
  • Familiarity with common APIs including OpenAI, GraphQL, FastAPI
  • Familiarity with Databases and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) technologies such as Pinecone, FAISS, OpenSearch, and Neo4j
  • Experience with interactive machine learning (eg. active learning, reinforcement learning, machine teaching) a plus but not required

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