AI & Data Exploitation Deputy Practice Lead

We are seeking a?Deputy PracticeLead?to partner directly with the Practice Lead in leading, scaling, and maturing the?AI & Data Exploitation Practice. This role serves as the Practice Lead’s primary operational, technical, and strategic counterpart,helping ensure delivery excellence, workforce development, and sustained business growth across a broad portfolio of AI, datascience, analytics, anddata platforms programs.The Deputy Practice Lead must be deeply conversant across the full spectrum of modern data and AI capabilities,including data engineering, data architecture, analytics, data science,MLOps/LLMOps, AI application development, governance, visualization, geospatial, and automation,and able to translate that understanding into effective delivery oversight, people leadership, and client engagement.Delivery Oversight & Technical LeadershipProvide portfolio-level oversight for?AI, datascience, analytics, anddataplatformsdelivery, 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 andparticipatein?architecture and design reviews?for major data and AI initiatives, helping teams make sound technical and delivery decisions.Help standardizedeliveryplaybooks, accelerators, and quality expectations across programs to improve repeatability and predictability.Business Growth & Client EngagementActively 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.Assistwith?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.Identifyemerging opportunities for growth, such asnew services, accelerators, or offerings,based on client demand and industry trends.People Leadership & Career DevelopmentPartner with the Practice Lead to?build, mentor, andretainhigh-performing talent?across all AI & DataExploitationcareer 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.Assistwith 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.Practice Strategy & OperationsSupport 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.You will play a critical role in shaping the future of the AI & Data Exploitation Practice and enabling its long-term success.Ability to hold a?position of public trust?(or higher clearance asrequired).Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in?Computer Science, Data Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems, AI/ML, ora relatedtechnical field.10+ years?of experience delivering complex data, analytics, and AI solutions, withdemonstratedleadership at the portfolio or practice level.Broad, working knowledge across modern data and AI domains, including:Data engineering and cloud data platformsData architecture and modelingAnalytics, visualization, and decision-support systemsData science, ML, and generative AIMLOps/LLMOpsand AI operationsData and AI governance, security, and complianceAutomation and workflow technologiesProven experience leading multi-team, multi-program delivery in complex environments (preferably federal or regulated industries).Strong client-facing presence with experiencefacilitatingworkshops, 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 weekSteampunk relies on several factors to determine salary, including but not limited to geographic location, contractual requirements, education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. The projected compensation range for this position is $195,000 to $220,000. The estimate displayed represents a typical annual salary range for this position. Annual salary is just one aspect of Steampunk’s total compensation package for employees. Learn more about additional Steampunk benefits here. Identity StatementAs part of the application process, you are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.Steampunk is a Change Agent in the Federal contracting industry, bringing new thinking to clients in the Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health and DoD sectors. Through our Human-Centered delivery methodology, we are fundamentally changing the expectations our Federal clients have for true shared accountability in solving their toughest mission challenges. As an employee owned company, we focus on investing in our employees to enable them to do the greatest work of their careers - and rewarding them for outstanding contributions to our growth. If you want to learn more about our story, visit

Created: 2026-04-04