Director, Data & AI Services at The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space. Aerospace is the trusted partner to the nation's space enterprise, solving the hardest problems with innovative solutions. As part of our commitment to operational excellence, we are investing in the modernization of our enterprise data and AI capabilities to drive smarter, faster, and more secure decision-making across the organization. Within Aerospace’s Office of the CIO, the newly constructed Data and AI Services team provides advanced modeling, machine learning, and predictive analytics capabilities that inform enterprise services operations and facilitates strategic decision-making across the corporation. We are looking for a Director of Data and AI Services . This is a newly created leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Data and Privacy Officer, established to drive the strategy, delivery, and operational excellence of enterprise data and AI services. The selected candidate will work across all Enterprise Service Operations—partnering with IT, HR, Finance, Legal, Security, and other business functions—to deliver best-in-class data and AI services that modernize how Enterprise Services operate. This is a hands-on leadership role: the successful candidate will not only set strategic direction but will remain actively engaged in technical details, team coaching, and day-to-day problem-solving required to stand up and scale a high-performing organization from the ground up. What You'll Be Doing Serve as a hands-on leader, building and growing a new Data and AI Services function from the ground up, while remaining directly engaged in technical delivery, architecture decisions, and problem-solving alongside the team Partner with the Chief Data and Privacy Officer to define and execute the enterprise data and AI strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and compliance requirements Work across all Enterprise Service Operations functions (IT, HR, Finance, Legal, Security, and others) to identify opportunities where data and AI can modernize processes, improve efficiency, and enhance decision-making Lead the design, delivery, and operational management of enterprise data and AI services, including data platforms, analytics capabilities, and AI/ML-enabled solutions Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of data engineers, data scientists, and AI practitioners, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement (Fosters Innovation, Leads Change) Establish governance frameworks, service standards, and operational metrics to ensure the reliability, security, and scalability of data and AI services across the enterprise (Operates Strategically) Serve as a trusted advisor and change agent, communicating the value and progress of data and AI modernization efforts to senior leadership and stakeholders across the organization (Engages with Impact, Delivers Results) What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Statistics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Information Systems or a related STEM field 12+ years of experience in data engineering, data science, AI/ML, or enterprise technology leadership, including 5+ years in a people management or team leadership role Demonstrated experience building, scaling, or transforming data and/or AI functions within a complex enterprise environment Proven hands-on technical experience with modern data platforms, AI/ML