
Director, Applied AI – Hands-On, Technical
Leidos
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Reston • Virginia • United States
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Salary
💰 $154,050 - $278,475 per year
Job Level
Tech Stack
About the role
- 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)
Requirements
- Master's degree and 15+ years experience in a related field with or equivalent practical experience building and scaling AI systems.
- 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
- Must be able to work from the Leidos Reston GHQ. Flexibility with remote with the ability to travel to the corporate office as needed.
- Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance (U.S. citizenship required; we support the process)
Benefits
- Competitive compensation
- Health and Wellness programs
- Income Protection
- Paid Leave
- Retirement
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
AI solutionsMLOpsmachine learningdata systemsmodel lifecycle managementprototypingcode reviewsreference implementationsproduction deploymentscaling AI systems
Soft Skills
technical leadershipcommunication skillsteam leadershipcollaborationstrategic thinkingproblem-solvingflexibilitycustomer partnershipstandardizationgovernance
Certifications
Master's degreeU.S. security clearance eligibility