Director of Research, Autonomy & Trusted AI

Leidos; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Director of Research for Autonomy and Trusted AI, responsible for defining research priorities and collaborating with industry leaders. The role requires a doctorate and extensive experience in AI technologies, along with proven leadership and communication skills. You will engage with clients and transition innovations into operational programs, supporting the growth of Leidos in this critical domain.

Qualifications

• Requires 13+ years of relevant experience.
• US Citizenship and Secret security clearance required.
• Proven ability to lead complex research and interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Define future research priorities in Autonomy and Trusted AI.
• Collaborate with technology leaders and engage with customer technical teams.
• Support outreach and partnerships in academia and industry.

Skills

Advanced AI/ML technologies

Signal processing

Perception

Computer vision

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

MLOps pipelines

Physics-informed neural networks

Federated learning

Education

Doctorate in relevant scientific or engineering discipline

Job description

Director of Research, Autonomy & Trusted AI

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Description

The Information and Data Sciences Division in the Leidos Innovation Center (LInC) is seeking to hire a Director of Research in Autonomy & Trusted AI. This role involves defining future research priorities and plans for Autonomy, Data Analytics, Perception, and Trusted AI (ADAPT) system technologies, along with additional internal and external responsibilities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with technology leaders across the company to identify relevant technologies for contract research and development opportunities with clients like DARPA, IARPA, ARPA-E, and service labs.
• Engage with customer technical teams to understand their challenges and develop solutions aligned with Leidos capabilities.
• Assist capture teams in integrating new capabilities into ongoing pursuits.
• Engage with customers during the pre-solicitation phase to shape opportunities.
• Support transitioning innovations from CRAD programs to operational programs.
• Work with research teams to develop innovative approaches that differentiate Leidos and foster new growth.
• Support outreach and engagement with academia and industry leaders in autonomy and trusted AI to strengthen collaborations.

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline with 13+ years of relevant experience.
• US Citizenship and ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.
• Experience in advanced AI/ML technologies, especially in signal processing, perception, and computer vision, with hands-on experience in developing algorithms for sensor data and ML architectures.
• Proficiency in Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and MLOps pipelines in cloud and on-prem environments.
• Knowledge of modern AI/ML techniques like physics-informed neural networks and federated learning.
• Proven ability to lead complex scientific research and manage interdisciplinary teams, preferably including DARPA/IARPA projects.
• Excellent communication skills for engaging with leadership and stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recognition as a subject matter expert and a strong publication record.
• Experience in building diverse research teams and influencing organizational outcomes.
• Active DoD Secret clearance is a plus.

Additional Details

Original Posting Date: June 18, 2025

Pay Range: $148,850 - $269,075, with factors including experience and education considered in offers.

Job Details

• Seniority level: Director
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job functions: Research, Analysis, IT
• Industries: Government, IT Services & Consulting