Associate Director Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree
• U.S. Citizen - U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.
• 8+ years of broad-based experience in Data and AL/ML architecture, deployments, integration, or consulting, with extensive experience in implementing AI/ML Solutions for large complex organizations.
• In-depth knowledge of AI/ML frameworks. Expertise in data architecture, distributed systems and APIs. Experience with CI/CD for ML, Model monitoring, and versioning (MLOps).
• Proven track record as a Solution Architect or Technical Lead, crafting new solutions and delivering business outcomes.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Generative AI/ Large language Models (LLMs). Knowledge of vector databases, embeddings and prompt engineering.
• Familiarity with data and AI/ML concepts and technologies.
• Strong understanding of AI ethics, governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Relevant experience in Aerospace & Defense industry preferred. Familiarity with the unique needs of manufacturing and aerospace, including compliance, quality management, and traceability.
• Experience with working on enterprise architecture frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman, DoDAF) & tools (SparxEA, Cameo, LeanIX). Certification in any of the framework’s a plus.
• Experience with Agile methodology such as Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) and tools such as Jira.
• Exceptional interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills, with an ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to balance innovation with pragmatic delivery. Lead and influence without authority.
• Demonstrated experience in guiding cross-functional teams and fostering alignment on architecture strategies across stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Define Collins AI/ML architecture aligned with Business goals and digital strategy
• Establish reference architectures, design patterns and standards for AI/ML solutions.
• Lead the adoption of modern AI capabilities (e.g. Generative AI, Deep Learning, NLP, RAG).
• Collaborate with Domain Architects in Security, Infrastructure, Data & Business unit, to refine and evolve the Solution architectures, processes, practices, leveraging architectural frameworks (e.g. TOGAF, Zachman, DODAF, etc.).
• Architect end-to-end AI/ML solutions (data ingestion, feature engineering, model development, deployment, monitoring) for business use cases.
• Partner with AI teams, Data Scientists and Engineers to operationalize models.
• Ensure scalability, reliability, and performance of AI systems in production.
• Define architecture for data pipelines and feature stores to support ML workloads.
• Ensure integration with enterprise data ecosystems and APIs.
• Establish AI governance frameworks (model validation, explain ability, bias detection).
• Ensure compliance with security, privacy, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote responsible and ethical AI practices.
• Stay current with emerging trends (LLMs, Vector databases, etc.)
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to teams.
• Collaborate with business leaders to identify AI opportunities.
• Translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Communicate architecture decisions to executive and technical stakeholders.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate. employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Student Loan Repayment Program.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection.
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits.
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning.
• Adoption Assistance.
• Autism Benefit.
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions.
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program.
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits.
• Bright Horizons, child, and elder care services.
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program.