# Associate Director of AI and Data

**Company:** [Axle](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/axle)
**Location:** Rockville, MD
**Role:** ML Engineering
**Salary:** $150k – $190k/yr
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** AI/ML, Generative AI, LLMs, Kubernetes, Docker, AWS, GCP, Azure, MLOps, DevSecOps, Graph Neural Networks, Federated Learning, Deep Learning, Polus, Nist Rmf
**Posted:** 2026-04-29

> Leads AI/ML strategy and teams for NIH biomedical research, evolving Polus platform, building petabyte-scale pipelines, and supporting federal proposals. Requires PhD and 8+ years AI/data science experience with leadership.

## Job Description

## Core Responsibilities

### Strategic Leadership of the AI/ML Roadmap
- Architect and execute comprehensive AI/ML strategy aligning with NIH Strategic Plan for Data Science (2025–2030)
- Define vision for integrating **Generative AI**, **Large Language Models (LLMs)**, and **Agentic Workflows**
- Spearhead evolution of **Polus platform** into multi-modal research ecosystem using **Docker/Kubernetes** on **AWS/GCP/Azure**
- Establish **AI Governance** frameworks using **NIST AI Risk Management Framework (RMF)**

### Oversight of Complex Modeling & High-Dimensional Data Pipelines
- Direct **petabyte-scale data pipelines** for genomics, proteomics, EHR adhering to **FAIR data principles**
- Oversee predictive models for drug discovery using **deep learning** (molecular targets, Digital Twins)
- Optimize **MLOps** and **DevSecOps** processes for production deployment

### Business Development & Federal Growth (Capture Support)
- Serve as **Lead Solution Architect** for proposals ($50M+), author technical volumes
- Build relationships with federal stakeholders (NIH Project Officers, CIOs)

### Mentorship of Data Scientists & Engineers
- Manage and mentor data scientists, bioinformaticians, software engineers
- Drive **Communities of Practice** for **Graph Neural Networks**, **Federated Learning**
- Create low-code/no-code AI interfaces for researchers

## Required Qualifications

### Education
- **Ph.D.** in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Data Science (highly preferred)
- Master's degree with exceptional leadership experience considered

### Experience
- **8–10+ years** in data science, **AI/ML engineering**, computational biology
- **3–5+ years** leadership managing cross-functional teams
- Federal contracting experience with proposals and capture

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