Steampunk, Inc. · 19 hours ago
AI & Data Exploitation Deputy Practice Lead
McLean, VA, US
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$195K/yr - $220K/yr
10+ years expSteampunk, Inc. is seeking a Deputy Practice Lead to partner with the Practice Lead in maturing the AI & Data Exploitation Practice. This role focuses on delivery excellence, workforce development, and business growth across a portfolio of AI, data science, and analytics programs.
ConsultingInformation Technology
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Provide portfolio-level oversight for AI, data science, analytics, and data platforms delivery, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with practice standards and architectural best practices
Serve as a senior escalation point for complex delivery challenges spanning data platforms, AI systems, governance, performance, and integration
Partner with technical leaders (architects, SMEs, team leads, managers) to ensure delivery approaches align with modern architectures, security requirements, and client mission needs
Support and participate in architecture and design reviews for major data and AI initiatives, helping teams make sound technical and delivery decisions
Help standardize delivery playbooks, accelerators, and quality expectations across programs to improve repeatability and predictability
Actively support business development efforts, including participation in client workshops, discovery sessions, solutioning discussions, and executive briefings
Contribute to and review RFI and RFP responses, ensuring technical approaches are sound, differentiated, and aligned with practice capabilities
Assist with code challenges, technical demonstrations, and proof-of-concept development to support capture and proposal efforts
Help shape and communicate the practice’s value proposition, reference architectures, and capability narratives to clients and partners
Build trusted relationships with client stakeholders, serving as a senior advisor on data and AI modernization strategies
Identify emerging opportunities for growth, such as new services, accelerators, or offerings, based on client demand and industry trends
Partner with the Practice Lead to build, mentor, and retain high-performing talent across all AI & Data Exploitation career tracks
Support career pathing, role clarity, and skills development for engineers, data scientists, architects, analysts, and governance specialists
Serve as a coach and mentor to managers, team leads, and senior technical staff, helping them grow into broader leadership roles
Assist with workforce planning, staffing strategies, succession planning, and capability gap identification across the practice
Promote a strong culture of technical excellence, collaboration, learning, and mission-driven delivery
Support the Practice Lead in defining and executing practice strategy, including capability investments, tooling decisions, and operating models
Help track and communicate practice health metrics related to delivery performance, talent development, and growth
Represent the practice internally and externally as a senior leader and thought partner
Stay current on industry trends in AI, data platforms, governance, and automation to inform practice direction and client guidance
Qualification
Required
Ability to hold a position of public trust (or higher clearance as required)
Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems, AI/ML, or a related technical field
10+ years of experience delivering complex data, analytics, and AI solutions, with demonstrated leadership at the portfolio or practice level
Broad, working knowledge across modern data and AI domains, including: Data engineering and cloud data platforms, Data architecture and modeling, Analytics, visualization, and decision-support systems, Data science, ML, and generative AI, MLOps/LLMOps and AI operations, Data and AI governance, security, and compliance, Automation and workflow technologies
Proven experience leading multi-team, multi-program delivery in complex environments (preferably federal or regulated industries)
Strong client-facing presence with experience facilitating workshops, presenting to executives, and supporting capture efforts
Demonstrated ability to mentor senior technical leaders and managers
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing and executive storytelling
Experience balancing hands-on technical understanding with strategic leadership responsibilities
Local to DMV with a requirement to be in the office 3 days per week
Company
Steampunk, Inc.
Steampunk is anchored by a startup culture with a customer-centered delivery approach, we put our Federal government clients in the center of everything we design, develop, and deliver to drive high-quality mission impacts and user experiences at speed.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
unknownKey Investors
AcceliCITY powered by Leading Cities
2024-07-31Non Equity Assistance
Leadership Team
Matt Warren
CEO
Mike Saliter
Executive Vice President - Homeland, Commerce, & Justice
Recent News
Washington Technology
2025-10-01
2024-05-21
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