Innovation Analyst

Aafes; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Aafes is seeking an experienced AI Innovation Lead to join its Dallas, TX HQ. The role focuses on researching, prototyping, and piloting AI-driven solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to scale successful pilots into enterprise deployments.

The candidate will drive data-informed ideation sessions, monitor AI trends, and support early-stage experiments, with a strong emphasis on delivering measurable impact in a large, distributed organization.

Qualifications

• Six years of IT experience in modern AI development and deployment.
• One year of experience at the pay band 4-2/4-3 level or equivalent industry experience.
• Bachelor's degree and four years of IT experience in modern AI development and deployment.

Responsibilities

• Conducts research to collect data and background information for innovation projects.
• Collaborate with internal teams or outside partners to support experimentation, testing, and prototyping of new products and processes.
• Support ideation workshops and innovation sprints with data-driven insights.
• Analyze internal and external datasets to uncover insights that inform innovation strategy.
• Track progress and performance metrics for innovation projects. Monitor and analyze emerging AI technologies, startups, and industry trends.
• Participate in pilot programs and proof-of-concept initiatives for new AI solutions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leading cross-functional innovation

AI platform evaluation & integration

Education

Bachelor's degree + 4 years IT AI experience

Tools

Orchestration layers

LLM / ML Ops tools

Vector databases

Workflow automation technologies

Job description

Supports the vision, strategy, and thinking methodologies used to innovate Exchange AI technologies, introduce novel or disruptive ideas, improve existing processes, and foster a culture of innovation.

Job Qualifications

Six years of IT experience in modern AI development and deployment, and evaluating AI tools, or equivalent, is required.

One year of experience at the pay band 4-2/4-3 level or equivalent industry experience is required.

OR

Bachelor's degree and four years of IT experience in modern AI development and deployment, and evaluating AI tools, or equivalent, is required.

One year of experience at the pay band 4-2/4-3 level or equivalent industry experience is required.

Additional Qualifications/Requirements

Work – Onsite (HQ – Dallas, Texas)

• Remote/Telework not authorized per Presidential Memorandum “Return to In Person Work”

• PCS Not Authorized/LSP Not Authorized
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional innovation portfolios (multiple concurrent pilots and proofs of concept) from ideation through scaled implementation in a large, distributed organization.
• Advanced expertise in evaluating and integrating emerging AI platforms (e.g., orchestration layers, LLM Ops/ML Ops tools, vector databases, and workflow automation technologies) into existing enterprise architectures.

Major Duties

• Conducts research to collect data and background information for innovation projects.
• Collaborate with internal teams or outside partners to support experimentation, testing, and prototyping of new products and processes.
• Support ideation workshops and innovation sprints with data-driven insights.
• Analyze internal and external datasets to uncover insights that inform innovation strategy.
• Track progress and performance metrics for innovation projects. Monitor and analyze emerging AI technologies, startups, and industry trends.
• Participate in pilot programs and proof-of-concept initiatives for new AI solutions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.