Practice Lead, AI Center of Excellence

Job Title: Practice Lead, AI Center of Excellence

Department: Sales – Engineering

Reports To: RavenTek CEO

Location: Ashburn, VA with flexibility for telework

Schedule: Monday - Friday

Hours: Full-time, 40-hours/week

FLSA Status: Salaried, Exempt

Clearance: Secret clearance preferred  

Position Summary

The Practice Lead for the AI Center of Excellence will spearhead the development, implementation, and management of artificial intelligence initiatives within the organization. This position involves leading a dedicated team of AI specialists, overseeing AI projects from conception to deployment, and ensuring the alignment of AI strategies with the company's overall goals. 

The Practice Lead will provide strategic direction, mentor team members, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate AI solutions across various business units. By driving innovation and leveraging advanced AI technologies, this role significantly contributes to enhancing operational efficiency and achieving the company's mission of delivering cutting-edge solutions and maintaining industry leadership.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluate AI technologies from established OEMs and start-up AI technology providers.
• Assess sales and GTM strategies for AI-based technologies.
• Define AI use cases in collaboration with technology partners.
• Serve as an industry thought leader for AI solutions, participating in panels and conferences.
• Develop blog content and white papers on AI for publication by RavenTek.
• Participate in AI technology podcasts and lead the future RavenTek AI podcast.
• Test and validate AI technologies in the RavenTek Lab.
• Integrate AI capabilities into RavenTek’s industry recognized Zero Trust solution, RavenVISION.
• Travel as necessary (estimated 20-25%).
• Enter actual time worked once complete, at the end of the day, or no later than 10:00 a.m. the following workday, and submit timesheets at the end of each pay period.
• Monitor RavenTek email regularly and respond accordingly.
• Complete required compliance training as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Critical Skills

• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, Java, or C++.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
• Strong analytical skills for evaluating complex AI technologies and solutions.
• Ability to identify and solve real-world problems using AI.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Leadership skills to guide and mentor AI professionals.
• Ability to articulate AI concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Education & Work Experience

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or related field.
• 5+ years of extensive technical and research experience in AI and Machine Learning.
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks and libraries such as TensorFlow, Keras, PyTorch, and Scikit-learn.
• Experience with big data technologies and data visualization tools.
• Experience in conducting AI research and publishing papers.
• Experience in the cybersecurity domain and Zero Trust architectures is a plus.

Certifications, Licenses

• AI and Machine Learning certifications (e.g., Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer, AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty, Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate, IBM AI Enterprise Workflow V1 Data Science Specialist, TensorFlow Developer Certificate).
• Data Science certifications (e.g., Certified Data Scientist (CDS), Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)).
• Project Management certifications (e.g., Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)).
• Cybersecurity certifications (e.g., Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)).

Special Requirements

• Active Secret clearance preferred, not required. 

Work Environment

Employee will be working indoors in an office environment with other people. Potential moderate temperature fluctuations. Typical indoor and computer related noise level, and typical office, paper, and equipment related dust. Exposure to video display terminals occurs on a regular basis.

Physical Demands  

To successfully perform the essential functions of the job, the employee needs to be able to sit at a workstation for extended periods; use hand(s) to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear; see to read printed materials and computer screens; mobility to work in a typical office setting. Ability to work on desktop or laptop computer for extended periods of time reading, reviewing/analyzing information, and may be required to provide recommendations, summaries and/or reports in written format. Must be able to effectively communicate with others verbally and in writing. Employee must be able to lift and/or move moderate amounts of weight, typically up to 20 pounds. Regular and predictable attendance is essential. 

ADA: RavenTek will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

EEO/AA: RavenTek does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, height, weight, or marital status in employment or the provision of services and is an equal access/equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position and will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential job functions are subject to modification. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.