AI Practice Lead

Riva Solutions Inc; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Riva Solutions Inc. seeks an AI Practice Lead to architect and scale next-generation AI capabilities across core lines of business. You will drive the AI roadmap, build reusable frameworks, and ensure responsible AI deployment for federal customers.

The role blends thought leadership with hands-on development, shaping enterprise AI strategy and governance while collaborating with CTO, delivery teams, and business development to deliver measurable impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Development, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years delivering AI/ML solutions, including 5+ years in architecture/technical leadership.
• Hands-on experience building AI prototypes, ML models, and production-grade pipelines.
• Strong experience with AWS and Microsoft Azure AI/ML services and cloud-native data architectures.
• Expertise in ML, DL, and LLM deployment and governance.
• Familiarity with MLOps, CI/CD, and model lifecycle management.
• Human-centered design principles applied to AI-driven solutions.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity and data compliance in AI environments.
• Strong collaboration and ability to interface with technical and executive stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain Federal Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the roadmap for RIVA’s AI Practice and align with company strategy and customer outcomes.
• Architect and deliver end-to-end AI solutions including data ingestion, model design, training, deployment, and governance.
• Build and scale AI/ML operations (MLOps) pipelines with automation and monitoring.
• Serve as a hands-on technical expert designing POCs and implementing AI components.
• Partner with BD/Sales to develop AI-enabled proposals and customer demonstrations.
• Establish and promote AI delivery standards, governance models, and ethical AI practices.
• Integrate cybersecurity and data privacy standards into AI architectures.
• Track emerging AI trends to identify new capabilities for delivery teams.
• Mentor and grow a multi-disciplinary AI team.

Skills

Hands-on AI prototyping

AWS/Azure AI/ML

ML/DL/LLM deployment

MLOps

Cybersecurity & data compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

U.S. Citizenship & security clearance

Human-centered AI design

AI strategy & governance

Executive stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s in CS/Engineering/related

Tools

AWS

Azure

Job description

RESULTS. INNOVATION. VALUES. ACCOUNTABILITY.

That’s RIVA.

We’re a mission-driven IT services company and systems integrator supporting digital transformation and modernization for federal government agencies. Since 2009, we’ve partnered with our customers to solve complex challenges through smart, practical innovation to deliver real outcomes where they matter most. Our teams are made up of industry-leading experts who are passionate about doing great work and making a difference. We don’t just develop solutions, we support efforts that strengthen communities and serve the public good.

RIVA’s culture is built on four core values: Results, Innovation, Values, and Accountability. They guide how we work, how we collaborate, and how we measure success. Our employee-first approach is rooted in trust, ownership, and meaningful work. By investing in our people and fostering a flexible, supportive environment, employees have the opportunity to grow their skills, contribute ideas, and make an impact from day one. all while supporting missions that matter.

POSITION OVERVIEW

RIVA is seeking an innovative and hands-on AI Practice Lead to architect, advance, and scale our next-generation AI capabilities across our core business lines. This strategic and highly visible role combines thought leadership with the technical depth to prototype, design, and deploy cutting-edge AI solutions that deliver measurable impact to both internal operations and federal customers.

The AI Practice Lead will work closely with the CTO, technical delivery teams, and business development organization to drive RIVA’s AI roadmap — building reusable frameworks, establishing governance, and ensuring responsible and secure AI integration across programs. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in AI/ML system design, modern cloud architectures, and leadership experience in shaping enterprise-wide AI strategy.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and lead the roadmap for RIVA’s AI Practice, ensuring alignment with company strategy and customer mission outcomes.
• Architect and deliver end-to-end AI solutions, including data ingestion, model design, training/tuning, deployment, and lifecycle governance.
• Build and scale AI/ML operations (MLOps) pipelines with automation, monitoring, and version control best practices.
• Serve as a hands-on technical expert, designing proofs of concept (POCs) and implementing AI system components as needed.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to design scalable, secure, and cloud-native AI solutions using AWS and Microsoft Azure AI/ML services.
• Collaborate with BD/Sales teams to develop AI-enabled proposals, build demonstrations, and engage with customers during pre-sales activities.
• Establish and promote AI delivery standards, frameworks, and governance models emphasizing ethical and responsible AI use.
• Integrate cybersecurity, compliance, and data privacy standards into AI architectures.
• Track and evaluate emerging AI trends to identify new capabilities for adoption within RIVA’s delivery teams.
• Mentor and grow a multi-disciplinary AI team of engineers, data scientists, and designers.
• Define and monitor KPIs to measure AI adoption, customer success, and delivery quality across projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Development, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience delivering AI/ML-based solutions, including at least 5 years in an architecture or technical leadership capacity.
• Proven hands-on experience building AI prototypes, ML models, and production-grade pipelines.
• Strong experience with AWS and Microsoft Azure AI/ML services and cloud-native data architectures.
• Expertise in machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and large language model (LLM) deployment and governance.
• Familiarity with MLOps practices, continuous integration, and model lifecycle management.
• Experience applying human-centered design principles to AI-driven solutions.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity and data compliance considerations in AI environments.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to interface with both technical and executive stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain a Federal Security Clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or Software Development.
• Experience deploying Generative AI (GenAI) or LLM-based solutions in enterprise or federal environments.
• Background building or scaling AI practices, Centers of Excellence (CoEs), or reusable AI frameworks.
• Proficiency with Infrastructure as Code (IaC), containerization, and scalable microservice architectures.
• Familiarity with low-code/no-code AI platforms or workflow automation tools.

The salary or salary range for this role reflects an estimated range informed by multiple compensation factors. Final offers may vary based on considerations such as relevant experience, education and training, critical skillsets, and overall business needs.

Pay range

$190,000 - $200,000 USD

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY & ACCOMMODATION

We believe great teams are built from different backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences, and we mean that beyond the buzzwords.

RIVA is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of every race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need an accommodation at any point in our process, send an email to [e-mail], we'll be happy to help.

VETERAN SUPPORT & ACCESSIBILITY

As a federal contractor, RIVA follows the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, supporting the employment and advancement of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. If you're a veteran, we encourage you to self-identify during the application process, it helps us track our hiring commitments and, in some cases, may support priority referral for open roles.

RIVA also invites applicants to voluntarily self-identify as having a disability during the application process, not because it affects your chances of being hired, but because it helps us measure how well we're living up to our commitments and identify where we can do better. Your response is confidential and entirely optional.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in RIVA Solutions, Inc.’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.