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

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory • Laurel, MD

13h

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Establish, refine, and maintain vision, strategy and execution priorities for the Program, consistent with the Lab, Department and Mission Area strategies and objectives.
• Build and lead a highly-competent team to execute the work of the Program.
• 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.
• Provide thought leadership for intelligent systems research at APL.
• Analyze and approve Program deliverables, to ensure they meet Sponsor needs and portfolio standards.
• Develop a program culture that fosters innovation, technical excellence and leadership development.

Benefits

• 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.
• Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager