Group Supervisor – Advanced Mission Modeling & AI (NSAD/ JAM)

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory • Laurel, MD

4h

About The Position

We are seeking a technically grounded, forward-leaning leader to develop and lead the Advanced Mission Modeling & AI Group (JAM) within the National Security Analysis Department (NSAD).
The JAM Group Supervisor will recruit, develop, and oversee a multidisciplinary team responsible for advanced AI methods, AI-enabled analysis systems and tools, mission engineering, and multi-mission, multi-domain modeling and simulation. This leader will ensure JAM delivers rigorous, scalable, and mission-relevant analytic capability, while advancing the integration of AI with modeling, simulation, and wargaming to support high-impact national security decisions.
The Group Supervisor will report to the Managing Executive and will work closely with other supervisors and managers across NSAD and the National Security Analysis Mission Area to strengthen analytic execution, accelerate tool development, and ensure JAM’s capabilities are tightly coupled to mission and strategic analysis across APL. As an enterprise department, cross-lab collaboration is especially important.
GROUP OVERVIEW:
The Advanced Mission Modeling & AI Group (JAM) serves as NSAD’s core team for developing advanced analytic tools to enable complex analyses. JAM develops and applies advanced AI methods, modeling and simulation, and mission engineering to analyze national security problems ranging from focused mission questions to multi-mission, multi-domain campaigns. Analysts in JAM work closely with sponsors, mission area programs, and integrator teams across NSAD and APL.
DUTIES:
As the NSAD JAM Group Supervisor, you will be responsible for the following:
Analytic Leadership & Execution (50%)
Provide analytic and managerial leadership to the Advanced Mission Modeling & AI Group within NSAD; Recruit, develop, and oversee a multidisciplinary team of AI practitioners, modelers, and mission engineers, and ensure members of the Group provide high quality, technically informed analyses, whether in support of NSAMA or other APL mission areas; Work with Program Managers and sponsors to ensure analytic efforts are framed around clear mission questions, executed with appropriate rigor, and delivered on timelines that support decision-making.
Ensure effective execution of technical tasks within the Group while managing workload, staffing, and resource needs; Play an active role in developing new analytic opportunities and sponsor engagements that leverage JAM’s unique capabilities; Consistent with the NSAD Strategy, develop, articulate, and maintain a vision and strategy for the Group; Develop and maintain effective working relationships across the Department, Laboratory, and with external sponsors.
Team Development & Change Leadership (30%)
Recruit, develop, and retain a multidisciplinary technical team. Provide mentorship, coaching, and performance feedback to help staff grow as technical leaders, integrators, and tool builders.
Serve as a change agent for the Group by helping staff adapt to evolving analytic expectations and new tools, and encourage continuous learning, intellectual curiosity, and collaboration across analytic disciplines; Establish and sustain a work environment that values respect, integrity, and professional growth.
Establish clear technical standards and expectations for analytic rigor, model transparency, validation, and reuse; Foster a culture of collaboration across JAM’s sections, ensuring strong coupling between AI methods, analytic systems, mission engineering, and campaign analysis.
Identify and develop future technical and managerial leaders within the Group, strengthening JAM’s bench of experts in AI-enabled analysis and mission modeling.
Vision Alignment & Integration (20%)
Develop, articulate, and maintain a clear vision and strategy for the Group that aligns with NSAD and Mission Area priorities; Ensure JAM’s capabilities are effectively integrated with strategic analysis, adversary analysis, cost analysis, and other analytic functions across NSAD and the Laboratory.
Coordinate JAM’s support to mission areas, Strategic Challenge Teams, and Lab-wide initiatives by aligning analytic capability development with sponsor demand and enterprise priorities; As appropriate, refine and evolve the Group’s charter to reflect emerging analytic needs and technologies.

Requirements

• Hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in engineering, computer science, operations research, applied mathematics, physics, or a related technical field.
• Have at least ten years of relevant experience leading or contributing to advanced national security analysis involving modeling, simulation, AI, or related analytic techniques.
• Demonstrate the ability to lead technically complex, multidisciplinary teams and to connect analytic methods to mission and decision needs.
• Have outstanding written and verbal communication skills and the ability to manage contentious analytic situations and deliver successful results.
• Hold an active Secret security clearance and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level 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

• Hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a relevant technical field.
• Have prior experience in a supervisory or equivalent technical leadership role.
• Have experience developing or operationalizing AI-enabled analytic tools or large-scale modeling and simulation frameworks.
• Have demonstrated success bridging advanced technical methods with operational or mission-level analysis.
• Maintain established working relationships with government sponsors involved in operational analysis, force development, or technology assessment.

Responsibilities

• Provide analytic and managerial leadership to the Advanced Mission Modeling & AI Group within NSAD
• Recruit, develop, and oversee a multidisciplinary team of AI practitioners, modelers, and mission engineers, and ensure members of the Group provide high quality, technically informed analyses, whether in support of NSAMA or other APL mission areas
• Work with Program Managers and sponsors to ensure analytic efforts are framed around clear mission questions, executed with appropriate rigor, and delivered on timelines that support decision-making.
• Ensure effective execution of technical tasks within the Group while managing workload, staffing, and resource needs
• Play an active role in developing new analytic opportunities and sponsor engagements that leverage JAM’s unique capabilities
• Consistent with the NSAD Strategy, develop, articulate, and maintain a vision and strategy for the Group
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships across the Department, Laboratory, and with external sponsors.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a multidisciplinary technical team.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and performance feedback to help staff grow as technical leaders, integrators, and tool builders.
• Serve as a change agent for the Group by helping staff adapt to evolving analytic expectations and new tools, and encourage continuous learning, intellectual curiosity, and collaboration across analytic disciplines
• Establish and sustain a work environment that values respect, integrity, and professional growth.
• Establish clear technical standards and expectations for analytic rigor, model transparency, validation, and reuse
• Foster a culture of collaboration across JAM’s sections, ensuring strong coupling between AI methods, analytic systems, mission engineering, and campaign analysis.
• Identify and develop future technical and managerial leaders within the Group, strengthening JAM’s bench of experts in AI-enabled analysis and mission modeling.
• Develop, articulate, and maintain a clear vision and strategy for the Group that aligns with NSAD and Mission Area priorities
• Ensure JAM’s capabilities are effectively integrated with strategic analysis, adversary analysis, cost analysis, and other analytic functions across NSAD and the Laboratory.
• Coordinate JAM’s support to mission areas, Strategic Challenge Teams, and Lab-wide initiatives by aligning analytic capability development with sponsor demand and enterprise priorities
• As appropriate, refine and evolve the Group’s charter to reflect emerging analytic needs and technologies.

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