Responsible AI Lead

Karthik Consulting, LLC; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Karthik Consulting, LLC seeks a Responsible AI Lead to provide technical and delivery leadership for the USPS OIG's Responsible AI Framework, translating governance and privacy requirements into practical guidance for audits and investigations.

The role emphasizes AI risk management, solution architecture and stakeholder coordination, with government personnel retaining approval authority. Arlington, VA-based with government-approved remote options.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of relevant experience delivering AI governance or risk management.
• Ownership of an implemented governance framework, model assurance or AI authorization workflow.
• Translate ethical, privacy and security requirements into implementable controls.
• Experience reviewing data governance, monitoring and CI/CD in engineering decisions.
• Federal oversight or regulated mission experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge of AI ethics, bias, fairness, explainability and human oversight to assess proposed capabilities.
• Interpret privacy and security requirements and develop actionable guidance.
• Evaluate AI risk assessments and model documentation for completeness and soundness.
• Advise stakeholders on controls, limitations and risk treatment with government approval authority.

Skills

AI governance

Risk management

Policy & compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, engineering, data science or public policy

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Collibra

Databricks

Atlassian tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Position Summary

The Responsible AI Lead provides technical and delivery leadership for USPS OIG's Responsible AI Framework. The role translates AI governance, privacy, security and mission requirements into practical guidance and reviewed solution designs that support trusted AI use in audits, reviews and investigations. Responsibilities require demonstrated judgment in AI risk management, solution architecture, technical quality and stakeholder coordination, with Government personnel retaining approval and decision authority. This position is contingent based on award, with an anticipated salary range of $170,000-$200,000 based on candidate qualifications and final contract requirements.

Work Environment

• Work Location: Arlington, VA and field offices; remote as Government-approved
• Security Clearance: Government suitability and access requirements to be confirmed

Compensation

Karthik Consulting is committed to providing competitive compensation based on the responsibilities of the role, required qualifications, security clearance level, relevant experience, certifications, customer requirements, geographic location, and overall business needs. The salary range listed for this position represents a good-faith estimate of the current compensation range for this role.

At Karthik Consulting, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range. Final compensation decisions are based on the facts and circumstances of each candidate’s experience, qualifications, certifications, clearance level, contract requirements, and overall alignment with the role.

Employees may be eligible for company benefits and additional compensation programs, subject to company policy, contract requirements, and individual eligibility.

Program Context

Program Description

The USPS Office of Inspector General is strengthening its Responsible AI Framework to support the trusted use of artificial intelligence in audits, reviews, and investigations. The program builds on existing AI governance bodies and enterprise technology to advance ethical AI practices, workforce readiness, risk management, use-case evaluation, performance measurement, and data governance. Government personnel retain policy approval, risk acceptance, and decision-making authority.

Program Scope

The program encompasses enhancements to AI ethics controls, workforce guidance and training resources, AI risk registries and validation procedures, use-case intake and review workflows, performance monitoring and ROI measurement, and AI inventory and governance policies. Work includes configuration, integration, documentation, and reporting within the Government’s existing enterprise environment.

Key Responsibilities

Responsible AI and Risk Expertise

• Apply knowledge of AI ethics, bias, fairness, explainability, transparency and human oversight to assess proposed AI capabilities.
• Interpret AI governance, privacy and security requirements and develop clear technical and operational guidance.
• Evaluate AI risk assessments, model documentation and supporting evidence for completeness and technical soundness.
• Advise stakeholders on control options, limitations and risk treatment while respecting Government approval authority.

Architecture and Technical Judgment

• Assess AI solution designs, data dependencies, integration requirements and operational constraints.
• Review model evaluation, monitoring and software delivery practices for reliability and maintainability.
• Use knowledge of enterprise data platforms, governance tools and cloud services to evaluate technical options.
• Conduct architecture and design reviews and communicate recommendations with supporting rationale.

Delivery and Stakeholder Leadership

• Translate business needs into clear requirements, acceptance criteria and achievable work plans.
• Manage technical dependencies, delivery risks, issues and competing priorities.
• Facilitate working sessions and present technical findings to mission stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Provide technical direction, mentoring and quality review for assigned personnel.

Governance and Communication

• Develop clear governance guidance, decision support materials and operating procedures.
• Prepare accurate status reports and executive briefings grounded in delivery evidence.
• Promote consistent documentation, review practices and accountability for technical work.
• Explain complex AI concepts and tradeoffs to audiences with different levels of technical knowledge.

Expected Outcomes

• AI governance guidance and risk recommendations that identify applicable requirements, control options, supporting evidence and unresolved limitations.
• Reviewed solution designs and acceptance criteria that address mission needs, data dependencies, security requirements and operational constraints.
• Accurate delivery reporting that identifies dependencies, risks, decisions needed and corrective actions for stakeholder review.
• Operating guidance and knowledge transfer that allow designated Government personnel to understand and maintain responsible AI practices.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, engineering, data science or public policy, or equivalent relevant experience. A relevant master's degree is preferred.

Professional Certifications

Preferred: Relevant certification in AI governance, risk management, project management or data management.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 10 years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years delivering AI governance, risk management or comparable AI assurance work.
• Demonstrated ownership of an implemented governance framework, model assurance process or AI authorization workflow.
• Experience managing concurrent technical deliverables, stakeholder reviews, dependencies and reporting.
• Ability to translate ethical, privacy and security requirements into implementable controls.
• Working knowledge of model evaluation, data governance, monitoring and CI/CD sufficient to review engineering decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Federal oversight, audit, investigation or other regulated mission experience.
• Experience with AI inventories, model cards, risk registries and authorization evidence.
• Familiarity with Collibra, Databricks, Atlassian tools and Microsoft 365.
• Experience presenting technical findings and demonstrations to senior stakeholders.