Assistant Program Manager for AI & Complex Systems – Frontier Systems; FIS

Description

Would you love to work with a group of dedicated scientists and engineers on frontier intelligent systems projects that are necessary to maintaining our national security?

Do you thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment? Do you like contributing to creative solutions in a collaborative environment? If so, we’re looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

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. As an Assistant Program Manager you will work closely with the Program Manager to invent the future for intelligent systems for national security challenges, jointly manage and expand a portfolio of projects, identify and pursue new business development opportunities, and cultivate relationships with stakeholders.

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 the external environment relative to APL’s current and potential position.

Build and lead a highly competent team, manage and mentor Project Managers and Task Leads, coordinate Program efforts, ensure on‑time and within‑budget execution, and provide feedback to staff and supervisors.

Create and pursue new Program initiatives, act as the primary point of contact with Sponsors, develop trusted relationships, understand funding profiles and milestones, and lead the development of proposals and documentation.

Provide thought leadership for intelligent systems research at APL, advise leadership on priorities, and focus technical staff on relevant research for future transition to sponsor challenges.

Analyze and approve Program deliverables to ensure they meet Sponsor needs and portfolio standards, conduct regular project reviews, identify risks, develop mitigation plans, and coach Project Managers.

Develop a program culture that fosters innovation, technical excellence and leadership development.

This job summary and listing of duties is for the purpose of describing the position and its essential functions at the time of hire and may change over time.

• Possess a MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Electrical Engineering, or a 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 a 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 the ability to interact with all levels of staff and management, and with external parties including 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.

• Possess a PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Electrical Engineering, or a 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,…