VP, AI & Applications - Power Systems & Optimization

Karman, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 230,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

Employer-match 401k

Flexible paid time off

Diversity and inclusion

Job summary

Karman, Inc. is seeking a VP of AI & Applications to lead the algorithms, control methods, and optimization that power its AI data-center platform. This leadership role reports to the CTO and collaborates with engineering and product to deliver measurable customer value.

You will drive multi-disciplinary development, mentor senior engineers, and shape production deployment strategies while coordinating with partners and customers. The role can be remote from the United States.

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years leading teams that develop algorithms, control systems, optimization methods, or applied AI in production.
• Deep technical background in control theory, power systems, optimization, applied machine learning, or signal processing.
• Experience with edge AI tools and control systems that run offline or isolated for extended periods.
• Track record of mentoring senior engineers and growing leaders.
• Able to lead a senior, technically deep team while shaping architecture and methods.
• Experience translating research and prototypes into shipped products in a startup or fast-moving environment.
• Strong communication skills to present technical work to executives, customers, and external organizations.
• Experience with intellectual property strategy and the patent process.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% of time.

Responsibilities

• Lead and set technical direction for algorithms, control methods, optimization, and applied research.
• Drive technical co-development with strategic partners across hardware, firmware, and commercial tracks; provide customer-facing technical leadership.
• Develop and manage release plans for algorithms and applications with validation strategies and tracking against product capabilities.
• Partner with VP, Engineering to ensure algorithms and control methods are production-ready on the platform.
• Stay hands-on early in the role and scale toward leader-of-leaders as the team grows.
• Collaborate with People Team to attract, onboard, and retain top talent in algorithms and applied AI.
• Optimize resource allocation, budgeting, and timelines for team effectiveness.
• Develop and report on success metrics aligned to organizational objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Algorithms

Control theory

Power systems

Optimization

Applied AI

Signal processing

Edge AI

Mentorship

Communication

IP strategy

Travel

Education

PhD in EE/CS/Control

Job description

Karman, Inc. is seeking a VP of AI & Applications to lead the algorithms, control methods, and optimization that power its AI data-center platform. This leadership role reports to the CTO and collaborates with engineering and product to deliver measurable customer value.

You will drive multi-disciplinary development, mentor senior engineers, and shape production deployment strategies while coordinating with partners and customers. The role can be remote from the United States.