Assistant Program Manager for AI & Complex Systems - Frontier Intelligent Systems (FIS)

Would you love to work with a group of dedicated scientists and engineers on frontier intelligent systems projects that are necessary to maintaining our national security?

Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?

Do you like contributing to creative solutions in a collaborative environment?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking an Assistant Program Manager for the Frontier Intelligent Systems (FIS) Program, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence and complex systems. The FIS Program resides within the Exploration Program Area of the Research and Exploratory Development (RED) Mission Area. In this Assistant Program Manger role, you will work closely with the Program Manager to invent the future for intelligent systems for national security challenges. You will jointly manage and expand a portfolio of projects within the FIS Program. The Assistant Program Manager will also be responsible for identifying and pursuing new business development opportunities that are in line with Program, Mission Area, Department, and Lab strategy and cultivating and sustaining new relationships with both current and potential sponsors. You will partner effectively with Line and Program Management, across the Enterprise, to create and sustain a culture of technical excellence, creativity, cross-enterprise collaboration, innovation within the portfolio, and secure technology transitions.

You will be joining a hardworking team of scientists and engineers with a broad range of expertise and who are committed to intellectual curiosity, innovation and creativity. We strive to foster a collaborative environment with extraordinary expertise that achieves game-changing impact. Our APL team values integrity and innovative ideas that will ensure the nation's preeminence in the 21st century.

As the Assistant Program Manager for the FIS Program, you will work with the Program Manager to...

Strategy: Establish, refine, and maintain vision, strategy and execution priorities for the Program, consistent with the Lab, Department and Mission Area strategies and objectives. Maintain awareness of external environment relative to APL's current and potential position within that landscape. Develop and maintain effective working relationships across the Department and Laboratory. Understand the RED MA strategy and how the Program contributes to it.

Program Leadership: Build and lead a highly-competent team to execute the work of the Program. Manage and mentor Project Managers and/or Task Leads. Coordinate Program efforts through the Project Managers to ensure on-time and within budget execution of Program tasking. Ensure that tasks assigned are well-defined and understood by technical staff. Mentor Project Managers in both government and APL process for establishing and executing funded projects. Provide feedback to staff, as well as Group and Section Supervisors on Project Manager and technical staff performance.

Pioneering Research: Create and pursue new Program initiatives consistent with the Program strategy through regular interaction with existing sponsors and interactions with potential sponsors, along with key stakeholders across the Lab. For some projects and/or technical areas, act as the primary point of contact with the Sponsor and develop and foster a trusted relationship with program managers, technical leaders, contracts personnel and be intimately aware of Sponsor requirements and directions. Understand the Sponsor's funding profile and major milestones and how they are likely to change over the next few years. Educate and inform the Sponsor of APL's capabilities, as well as appropriate roles for and limitations of a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). Lead the development and execution of proposals, task assignments, and related documentation to address Sponsor requirements and comply with APL policies and processes.

Thought Leadership: Provide thought leadership for intelligent systems research at APL. Advise the Department and Mission Area leadership on IRAD needs and priorities work with technical staff to focus and target their efforts on relevant research for future transition to sponsor challenges and keep abreast of technology development external to REDD that may be relevant to current and future areas including, but not limited to frontier AI evaluation and assurance, intelligent autonomy, co-intelligence (human-AI collaboration), AI for scientific discovery and analysis, multi-agent systems, robotic physical intelligence, AI for ISR applications, and foundations of artificial general intelligence.

Quality: Analyze and approve Program deliverables, to ensure they meet Sponsor needs and portfolio standards. Conduct regular project reviews to ensure technical excellence, identify areas of risk and develop mitigation plans in coordination with sponsor requirements, and coach the Project Manager. Review and approve APL-generated products (presentations, reports and letters) that will have an external audience. Ensure Enterprise requirements for quality, safety, and security are met for all Program activities.

Culture: Develop a program culture that fosters innovation, technical excellence and leadership development.

Note: This job summary and listing of duties is for the purpose of describing the position and its essential functions at time of hire and may change over time.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Possess a MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Electrical Engineering, or closely related field.
• 7+ years technical experience in one of the following: frontier AI systems, intelligent autonomy, machine learning, multi-agent systems, human-AI collaboration, AI evaluation and assurance, or complex systems.
• 3+ years relevant professional experience in leadership role and previous Project Management experience.
• Have experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams and demonstrated ability to lead projects and be an effective sponsor interface for the laboratory.
• Are a strategic thinker with ability to interact with all levels of staff and management as well as external parties to include government agencies and academia.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills and have experience giving technical and strategic briefs, as well as writing technical documents.
• Can travel to conferences or meetings (10-20%) and are willing to work in closed areas.
• Have a track record of successful proposal writing.
• Hold an active Secret security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Possess a PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Electrical Engineering, or closely related field.
• Have significant technical experience in more than one of the following: frontier AI systems, intelligent autonomy, machine learning, multi-agent systems, human-AI collaboration, AI evaluation and assurance, robotic systems, or intelligent tools for scientific discovery and analysis.
• Have a track record of successful sponsor engagement and project execution with DARPA, ONR, IARPA, ARL, or similar research and development sponsor organizations.
• Are familiar with APL business processes and federal contracting.
• Have previous Program Management experience.
• Have active TS or TS/SCI clearance.

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities athttp://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contactAccommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.