AI Automation Engineer- Project-Based Independent Contractor 1099

AI Automation Engineer Caplock Security | Remote-U.S. | 1099 Do you have what it takes to build the systems that help us win the mission? Every proposal Caplock submits runs on people doing repetitive work that technology should be doing for them.

We're looking for someone early in their career who's ready to dig in and build the AI and automation tools that make our Proposal and Business Development team faster, sharper, and more competitive on every pursuit.

About the Role Caplock Security is seeking an entry-level AI Automation Engineer to help design and implement AI-driven tools and automated workflows across our Proposal and Business Development function.

This is a project-based contract opportunity—not a full-time or part-time employee position.

This is a great fit for someone recently out of school with a strong technical foundation and genuine curiosity about AI and automation — you don't need years of experience, you need the drive to learn our proposal process, spot what's worth automating, and build real solutions with guidance from the team.

Over time, you'll grow into owning more of this function independently as you build federal proposal domain knowledge alongside your technical skills.

What You'll Do Help design, build, and maintain AI-powered tools and automated workflows that support the proposal lifecycle, including RFP/RFI/RFQ analysis, compliance matrix generation, and past performance and resume retrievalSupport the evaluation and implementation of AI solutions (including LLM-based tools like Claude) to accelerate proposal drafting, content reuse, and knowledge base search across Proposal and Business Development teamsBuild integrations and automations connecting existing platforms — SharePoint, Notion, CRM/pipeline tools — to reduce manual data entry and duplicate workWork closely with Proposal and Business Development team and leadership to learn the proposal process, identify high-friction tasks, and help translate them into automation or AI-assisted workflowsHelp maintain and improve a structured proposal content library and knowledge base architecture that AI tools can reliably draw fromTest and document new tools under guidance to ensure outputs are accurate, compliant with Section L/M requirements, and safe for use in live pursuitsSupport Proposal and Business Development staff in adopting new AI and automation tools, including basic troubleshootingStay current on the AI/automation landscape and bring forward new tools or techniques worth exploringLearn and apply company data security and CMMC-aligned practices, particularly where proposal content includes sensitive or controlled informationRequired Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field (recent graduates encouraged to apply)Coursework or project experience with at least one programming or scripting language (Python preferred)Some exposure to AI/ML concepts, LLM tools (e.g., Claude, OpenAI), or automation platforms through coursework, internships, or personal projectsStrong problem-solving skills and eagerness to learn new tools, processes, and a new industry (federal contracting)Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (SharePoint, Word, Excel, Teams)Must pass a background check and drug screeningU.S. citizenship required (or ability to obtain, depending on contract requirements)Preferred Qualifications Internship, co-op, or academic project experience involving automation, AI/ML, or workflow toolsFamiliarity with automation platforms (e.g., Power Automate, Zapier) or API integrationsExposure to federal contracting, proposal development, or business development through coursework or internshipFamiliarity with Notion or SharePoint document/knowledge base structuresKey Skills Genuine curiosity about AI and automationWillingness to ask questions, take feedback, and grow into unfamiliar territory (federal proposals) quicklyClear communicator who can explain technical ideas to non-technical Proposal and Business Development staffDetail-oriented, with an eye toward why accuracy and compliance matter more in federal proposals than in most environmentsSelf-starter mindset