Description
Join our team in the Homeland Sector, where we are committed to protecting communities and ensuring the safety of critical systems. We believe that AI has the potential to transform operations – enabling teams to detect threats more quickly, make sharper decisions, and enhance system reliability. Your expertise will be vital as we tackle challenges including modernizing air traffic systems, enhancing airport security processes, and safeguarding energy infrastructure in the U.S., UK, and Australia.
In this dynamic role, you'll have the chance to take AI innovations from concept to impactful applications at a mission scale. You'll work with real mission data, interact with production systems, and benefit from comprehensive support for large-scale deployment.
Located in Reston, VA, this role offers flexibility for remote work with occasional travel required to the corporate office.
As a hands-on AI Technical Director, you will be at the forefront of how AI is integrated across the sector. You'll bridge innovative technologies with real mission requirements and support teams in advancing prototypes to everyday production systems. Your technical involvement will be crucial in guiding design decisions and helping teams leverage successful practices.
What You'll Achieve in 6-12 Months:
- Deliver a fully operational AI capability applicable in mission workflows.
- Establish a scalable path for transitioning prototypes to production, utilized by multiple teams.
- Implement effective MLOps practices that enhance versioning, monitoring, and releases.
- Launch 2-3 impactful pilot programs, with clear evaluation criteria for scaling or termination.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Oversee AI solution development from inception to production, remaining engaged with both design and implementation.
- Define and execute an AI strategy tailored for the Homeland Sector.
- Provide hands-on technical guidance related to prototyping, code reviews, and reference implementations.
- Set practical standards for MLOps, governance, and responsible AI, employing them in real-time delivery.
- Assess emerging technologies and lead pilots with clear scaling criteria.
- Collaborate closely with teams and clients to deliver transformative AI solutions.
- Facilitate the sharing and standardization of successful practices across programs.
Basic Qualifications:
- Master's degree and 15+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent practical experience in AI system development and scaling.
- Proven experience leading the development and deployment of AI/ML systems.
- Strong foundation in ML, data systems, and model lifecycle management with hands-on expertise in contemporary frameworks and cloud platforms.
- Experience integrating AI within operational systems.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams while maintaining a strong focus on technical execution and communication.
- U.S. citizenship is required and eligibility for obtaining a U.S. security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in regulated or mission-critical environments (e.g., defense, healthcare, finance).
- Knowledge of generative AI/LLMs and their application in real-world contexts.
- Experience scaling AI across organizations, focusing on adoption and standardization.
- Expertise in managing AI in production environments (MLOps, model governance, continuous monitoring).
- Experience in building cloud-native AI platforms using technologies such as containerization and Kubernetes.
- Active security clearance.
- Proven track record of technical leadership or involvement in initiatives, mentoring, or contributing to open-source projects.
If you seek to be part of a forward-thinking team where innovation and mission achievement are paramount, we want to hear from you. At Leidos, we are committed to challenging the status quo and advancing the mission. We are not looking for followers but for those who dream big, disrupt norms, and strive for excellence.