Director, Applied AI (Hands-On / Technical)

Company: Leidos
Location: Reston
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

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. 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 experience may be used in lieu of 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 •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) 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) If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares. Original Posting: March 25, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. Pay Range: Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Keywords: Leidos, Reston , Director, Applied AI (Hands-On / Technical), IT / Software / Systems , Reston, Virginia