AI Business Development Lead

Booz Allen Hamilton•Washington, DC

2d•$112,800 - $257,000

About The Position

As an analytics professional, you’re excited by breakthrough ideas and the chance to shape what comes next in emerging technology. In this role, you won’t just build models — you’ll help define new, high-impact government research programs from the ground up. If you thrive at the intersection of advanced data science and mission driven innovation, this is the opportunity to lead. We’re looking for an advanced data scientist with deep technical expertise and experience engaging directly with U.S. government research and development sponsors such as DARPA. You will serve as a technical business development lead focused on shaping opportunities with similar innovation ecosystem agencies. You’ll develop bold, testable technical concepts, refine them through discussions with government program managers, and guide the production of compelling, competitive proposal submissions. Your work will directly support the creation of new cutting‑edge research programs, including those led by agencies known for high‑risk, high‑reward innovation. As an advanced data scientist and researcher on our Defense Technology Group team, you’ll introduce innovative AI/ML, data science, and emerging technology methodologies to accelerate the formation of next‑generation research initiatives. You will lead early‑stage concept development, sponsor engagement, and technical storytelling that shapes breakthrough program ideas. Following award, you will transition into program leadership, guiding technical execution, milestone delivery, and rigorous analytic evaluation of scientific progress. You’ll share your expertise through peer-reviewed papers, patents, major conference presentations, and open-source contributions while staying sharp through access to the latest tools, methods, and professional development opportunities. Whether you’re advancing national decision advantage, spearheading disruptive technologies, or enabling new mission capabilities, you will lead a team shaping high‑impact research programs from concept through execution.

Requirements

Experience shaping and capturing competitive R&D programs with federal government agencies such as DARPA, including concept development and proposal leadership
Experience delivering advanced AI/ML or data science solutions in complex mission, research, or experimental environments
Experience leading cross‑functional technical teams through early-stage research design, modeling, experimentation, and technical writing
Knowledge of the BAA lifecycle, including abstracts, white papers, full proposals, and associated technical evaluation pathways
Knowledge of modern AI/ML tools and architectures, including Python, PyTorch or TensorFlow, and cloud-based analytic environments
Ability to engage government program managers to refine early technical ideas and translate them into testable, milestone-oriented research concepts
Ability to develop innovative technical narratives aligned to high‑risk, high‑reward research priorities and communicate them clearly to stakeholders
Ability to guide internal teams through capture, proposal development, and verbal presentations, ensuring technical excellence and alignment with sponsor goals
Ability to obtain a Secret clearance
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a STEM field

Nice To Haves

Experience working at DARPA or as a performer on DARPA research programs or similar high‑risk, high‑reward R&D initiatives
Knowledge of the Heilmeier questions and their use in crafting groundbreaking program concepts
TS/SCI clearance
Doctorate degree in a related STEM field

Responsibilities

Serve as a technical business development lead focused on shaping opportunities with innovation ecosystem agencies.
Develop bold, testable technical concepts and refine them through discussions with government program managers.
Guide the production of compelling, competitive proposal submissions.
Introduce innovative AI/ML, data science, and emerging technology methodologies to accelerate the formation of next-generation research initiatives.
Lead early-stage concept development, sponsor engagement, and technical storytelling.
Transition into program leadership following award, guiding technical execution, milestone delivery, and rigorous analytic evaluation of scientific progress.
Share expertise through peer-reviewed papers, patents, major conference presentations, and open-source contributions.
Lead a team shaping high-impact research programs from concept through execution.