Director, Applied AI (Hands-On / Technical) Job at The Association of Technology
The Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering, Reston, VA, United States
In the Homeland Sector, our work helps protect communities and keep critical systems running safely. AI can make a big difference—helping teams detect threats faster, make better decisions, and build more reliable systems— but only if it works in real-world operations at scale.
This includes challenges like modernizing air traffic, improving airport screening, and securing energy infrastructure across the U.S., UK, and Australia.
This role offers a rare opportunity to take AI from concept to mission‑scale impact across an entire sector—with access to real mission data, production systems, and the support needed to deploy at scale.
Must be able to work from the Leidos Reston GHQ. Flexibility with remote with the ability to travel to the corporate office as needed.
As a Hands‑On AI Technical Director, you will shape how AI is used across the sector. You’ll connect new technologies to real mission needs and help teams move from prototypes to production systems that are used every day. You’ll stay involved in technical decisions and solution design while helping teams adopt and scale what works.
What You’ll Achieve in 6‑12 Months
Deliver at least one production AI capability (not just a prototype) used in a mission workflow
Establish a repeatable path from prototype → production → scale used by multiple teams
Stand up lightweight MLOps practices (versioning, monitoring, release) that teams actually use
Launch 2‑3 high‑impact pilots with clear decisions to scale or stop
Primary Responsibilities
Drive AI solutions end‑to‑end—prototype → production → scale—while staying involved in design and implementation
Define and lead AI strategy and execution across the Homeland Sector
Provide hands‑on technical leadership (prototyping, code reviews, reference implementations) and guide integration into systems
Establish practical standards for MLOps, governance, and responsible AI, and apply them in delivery
Evaluate new technologies and run pilots with clear criteria for scaling or stopping
Partner with teams and customers to deliver high‑impact AI solutions
Share and scale what works across programs (reuse and standard approaches)
Basic Qualifications
Master's degree and 15+ years experience in a related field with or equivalent practical experience building and scaling AI systems. Additional years of experience may be used in lieu of a degree.
Experience leading development and production deployment of AI/ML solutions
Strong grounding in ML, data systems, and model lifecycle management, with hands‑on experience in modern frameworks and cloud platforms
Experience integrating AI into real operational systems
Proven ability to lead across teams while staying close to the work, with strong communication skills
Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance (U.S. citizenship required; we support the process)
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in mission‑critical or regulated environments (e.g., defense, healthcare, finance)
Experience with generative AI / LLMs and applying them in real‑world systems
Experience scaling AI across organizations or portfolios (driving adoption, standardization, and reuse)
Experience operating AI in production (MLOps, model governance, monitoring, reliability)
Experience building cloud‑native AI platforms (containerization, Kubernetes, modern data platforms)
Active security clearance
Track record of technical leadership or influence (e.g., leading initiatives, mentoring, open source, publications)
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
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This includes challenges like modernizing air traffic, improving airport screening, and securing energy infrastructure across the U.S., UK, and Australia.
This role offers a rare opportunity to take AI from concept to mission‑scale impact across an entire sector—with access to real mission data, production systems, and the support needed to deploy at scale.
Must be able to work from the Leidos Reston GHQ. Flexibility with remote with the ability to travel to the corporate office as needed.
As a Hands‑On AI Technical Director, you will shape how AI is used across the sector. You’ll connect new technologies to real mission needs and help teams move from prototypes to production systems that are used every day. You’ll stay involved in technical decisions and solution design while helping teams adopt and scale what works.
What You’ll Achieve in 6‑12 Months
Deliver at least one production AI capability (not just a prototype) used in a mission workflow
Establish a repeatable path from prototype → production → scale used by multiple teams
Stand up lightweight MLOps practices (versioning, monitoring, release) that teams actually use
Launch 2‑3 high‑impact pilots with clear decisions to scale or stop
Primary Responsibilities
Drive AI solutions end‑to‑end—prototype → production → scale—while staying involved in design and implementation
Define and lead AI strategy and execution across the Homeland Sector
Provide hands‑on technical leadership (prototyping, code reviews, reference implementations) and guide integration into systems
Establish practical standards for MLOps, governance, and responsible AI, and apply them in delivery
Evaluate new technologies and run pilots with clear criteria for scaling or stopping
Partner with teams and customers to deliver high‑impact AI solutions
Share and scale what works across programs (reuse and standard approaches)
Basic Qualifications
Master's degree and 15+ years experience in a related field with or equivalent practical experience building and scaling AI systems. Additional years of experience may be used in lieu of a degree.
Experience leading development and production deployment of AI/ML solutions
Strong grounding in ML, data systems, and model lifecycle management, with hands‑on experience in modern frameworks and cloud platforms
Experience integrating AI into real operational systems
Proven ability to lead across teams while staying close to the work, with strong communication skills
Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance (U.S. citizenship required; we support the process)
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in mission‑critical or regulated environments (e.g., defense, healthcare, finance)
Experience with generative AI / LLMs and applying them in real‑world systems
Experience scaling AI across organizations or portfolios (driving adoption, standardization, and reuse)
Experience operating AI in production (MLOps, model governance, monitoring, reliability)
Experience building cloud‑native AI platforms (containerization, Kubernetes, modern data platforms)
Active security clearance
Track record of technical leadership or influence (e.g., leading initiatives, mentoring, open source, publications)
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
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