VP R&D AI/ML (Defense)

For a Defense organization, we are seeking A VP of AI for a key leadership role at the forefront of technology.

This position involves developing cutting-edge solutions based on advanced research and the creation of high-performance AI models.

The VP will define and lead the vision, strategy, research standards, and evaluation processes, serving as the top professional authority in the organization’s AI domains.

The role includes direct management of the AI division, encompassing all Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, and AI Researchers.

• Lead the AI management layer: oversee hiring, onboarding, mentoring, and professional development of researchers and data scientists.
• Define research vision and strategy: determine strategic research areas (e.g., NLP, Computer Vision, Reinforcement Learning) and identify breakthrough opportunities.
• Guide research intuition and adoption: lead early-stage decision-making on model design, training, reuse, and the integration of classical approaches.
• Establish research methodologies: define workflows for algorithm R&D, experiment management, model evaluation, and internal peer review processes.
• Manage technological stakeholders: collaborate with academia and industry, initiate partnerships, and introduce external innovation into the organization.
• Translate business problems into research challenges: turn complex operational needs into solvable AI research problems, setting clear success metrics.
• Ensure quality and excellence: maintain high professional standards and innovation across all AI squads.
• Advise senior management: serve as a strategic advisor to the executive team and CTO on AI trends, risks, and opportunities.

• Experience from a defense company – mandatory!
• Mandatory: Master’s degree in a quantitative field (Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics).
• Strong Advantage: Ph.D. in a core area of Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence.
• Experience:
• At least 8 years of hands-on R&D experience in AI/ML.
• Minimum 3 years of management experience leading AI researchers or data scientists.
• Proven track record of leading significant research projects brought to production.
• Deep familiarity with multiple AI domains — Computer Vision is a must, with additional experience in NLP, Signal Processing, or Time-Series Analysis.

• Academic publications in leading AI conferences.

• Profound theoretical and practical understanding of machine learning and deep learning algorithms.
• Strong “AI sense” — intuition for identifying promising approaches to complex problems.
• Strategic research mindset and ability to build long-term research roadmaps.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to simplify complex concepts.
• Inspirational leadership and mentoring abilities for top-tier researchers.
• In-depth familiarity with Data-Centric AI methodologies.