Director, AI & Data Strategy

Steampunk; McLean (VA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Steampunk seeks a Technical Director of AI & Data (Deputy to VP) to partner with the Practice Lead in scaling and maturing the AI & Data Exploitation Practice. This role oversees delivery excellence, workforce development, and growth across data platforms, data science, analytics, and governance.

The Deputy must be deeply versed in data engineering, ML/AI, governance, and modern architectures, guiding multi-team delivery, client engagement, and strategic leadership in a federal/regulatory

Qualifications

• Ability to hold a position of public trust (or higher clearance as required).
• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems, AI/ML, or related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience delivering complex data, analytics, and AI solutions, with demonstrated leadership at the portfolio or practice level.
• Broad, working knowledge across modern data and AI domains, including: Data engineering and cloud data platforms; Data architecture and modeling; Analytics, visualization, and decision-support systems; Data science, ML, and generative AI; MLOps/LLMOps and AI operations; Data and AI governance, security, and compliance; Automation and workflow technologies.
• Proven experience leading multi-team, multi-program delivery in complex environments (preferably federal or regulated industries).
• Strong client-facing presence with experience facilitating workshops, presenting to executives, and supporting capture efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor senior technical leaders and managers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing and executive storytelling.
• Experience balancing hands-on technical understanding with strategic leadership responsibilities.
• Local to DMV with a requirement to be in the office 3 days per week

Responsibilities

• Provide portfolio-level oversight for AI, data science, analytics, and data platforms delivery, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with practice standards and architectural best practices.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for complex delivery challenges spanning data platforms, AI systems, governance, performance, and integration.
• Partner with technical leaders (architects, SMEs, team leads, managers) to ensure delivery approaches align with modern architectures, security requirements, and client mission needs.
• Support and participate in architecture and design reviews for major data and AI initiatives, helping teams make sound technical and delivery decisions.
• Help standardize delivery playbooks, accelerators, and quality expectations across programs to improve repeatability and predictability.
• Actively support business development efforts, including participation in client workshops, discovery sessions, solutioning discussions, and executive briefings.
• Contribute to and review RFI and RFP responses, ensuring technical approaches are sound, differentiated, and aligned with practice capabilities.
• Assist with code challenges, technical demonstrations, and proof-of-concept development to support capture and proposal efforts.
• Help shape and communicate the practice’s value proposition, reference architectures, and capability narratives to clients and partners.
• Build trusted relationships with client stakeholders, serving as a senior advisor on data and AI modernization strategies.
• Identify emerging opportunities for growth, such as new services, accelerators, or offerings, based on client demand and industry trends.
• Partner with the Practice Lead to build, mentor, and retain high-performing talent across all AI & Data Exploitation career tracks.
• Support career pathing, role clarity, and skills development for engineers, data scientists, architects, analysts, and governance specialists.
• Serve as a coach and mentor to managers, team leads, and senior technical staff, helping them grow into broader leadership roles.
• Assist with workforce planning, staffing strategies, succession planning, and capability gap identification across the practice.
• Promote a strong culture of technical excellence, collaboration, learning, and mission-driven delivery.
• Support the Practice Lead in defining and executing practice strategy, including capability investments, tooling decisions, and operating models.
• Help track and communicate practice health metrics related to delivery performance, talent development, and growth.
• Represent the practice internally and externally as a senior leader and thought partner.
• Stay current on industry trends in AI, data platforms, governance, and automation to inform practice direction and client guidance.
• You will play a critical role in shaping the future of the AI & Data Exploitation Practice and enabling its long-term success.

Education

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems, AI/ML, or related technical field

Job description

Steampunk seeks a Technical Director of AI & Data (Deputy to VP) to partner with the Practice Lead in scaling and maturing the AI & Data Exploitation Practice. This role oversees delivery excellence, workforce development, and growth across data platforms, data science, analytics, and governance.

The Deputy must be deeply versed in data engineering, ML/AI, governance, and modern architectures, guiding multi-team delivery, client engagement, and strategic leadership in a federal/regulatory