Section Supervisor – AI Methods and Techniques Section

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

22h

About The Position

We are seeking a collaborative, innovative technical leader to serve as Section Supervisor for the AI Methods and Techniques Section within the Advanced Mission Modeling and AI Group (JAM) of the National Security Analysis Department (NSAD). This section will contribute to the development and growth of AI methods and techniques, and advancing AI-enabled solutions that can be integrated into analyses within NSAD and across the enterprise. The Section Supervisor leads a technical team of analysts responsible for developing and improving AI models, to include optimization of model performance and model training, and development of performance metrics. The Section Supervisor role requires strong technical judgment, awareness of emerging AI research and practice, and close collaboration with analysts, sponsors, and partners across APL to ensure AI-enabled solutions are rigorous and address sponsor needs. As the AI Methods & Techniques Section Supervisor, you will… Develop, lead, and retain a team advancing AI and generative AI methods in support of national security analysis. Provide technical and personnel leadership for the development, evaluation, and refinement of algorithms and AI models, ensuring analytic rigor and technical credibility. Guide efforts to optimize model performance and training, including data selection, feature engineering, evaluation approaches, and performance trade-offs. Help advance an enterprise-oriented approach to AI methods and tools, enabling reuse, consistency, and scalability across projects and mission areas. Ensure the quality, timeliness and integrity of section outputs on tasks. Mentor team members to ensure appropriate and productive interactions with colleagues, sponsors, and project teams, and to elevate their written and presentation products. Work with the team members individually and collectively to further develop their skills and grow the capability and capacity of the section. Serve as a technical contributor or project lead on selected efforts, leading by example in execution and communication of the work. Collaborate closely with other sections and groups to integrate algorithm and AI enabled capabilities into sponsor and indirect work. Assist higher-level managers and mission area partners with strategic planning, development of new analytic opportunities, and sponsor engagement. Support staff and task planning, interviewing and hiring, and performance coaching throughout the year.

Requirements

Have a Master’s degree (or higher) in a relevant field such as computer science, data science, mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
Have experience developing or leading work involving AI, machine learning, or advanced analytic methods, preferably in national security or similarly complex problem domains.
Have experience with machine learning and large language models (LLMs); proficiency in machine learning algorithms and optimization techniques.
Have project leadership experience for an analysis team from formulation to completion of a direct task - this should include determination of approach, team building, sponsor engagements and conveying technical results.
Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience briefing senior sponsors and stakeholders.
Have demonstrated collaboration skills and sound judgment in complex, ambiguous analytic environments.
Are willing and able to travel to the Pentagon on an occasional basis.
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

Have a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a relevant technical discipline.
Have prior supervisory experience or demonstrated experience leading or mentoring multidisciplinary analytic teams.
Have experience transitioning AI methods into operational, analytic, or sponsor-facing environments.
Have an active TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

Develop, lead, and retain a team advancing AI and generative AI methods in support of national security analysis.
Provide technical and personnel leadership for the development, evaluation, and refinement of algorithms and AI models, ensuring analytic rigor and technical credibility.
Guide efforts to optimize model performance and training, including data selection, feature engineering, evaluation approaches, and performance trade-offs.
Help advance an enterprise-oriented approach to AI methods and tools, enabling reuse, consistency, and scalability across projects and mission areas.
Ensure the quality, timeliness and integrity of section outputs on tasks.
Mentor team members to ensure appropriate and productive interactions with colleagues, sponsors, and project teams, and to elevate their written and presentation products.
Work with the team members individually and collectively to further develop their skills and grow the capability and capacity of the section.
Serve as a technical contributor or project lead on selected efforts, leading by example in execution and communication of the work.
Collaborate closely with other sections and groups to integrate algorithm and AI enabled capabilities into sponsor and indirect work.
Assist higher-level managers and mission area partners with strategic planning, development of new analytic opportunities, and sponsor engagement.
Support staff and task planning, interviewing and hiring, and performance coaching throughout the year.