VP, AI – Applications

Job Description:

• Lead and set technical direction for the team responsible for Karman's algorithms, control methods, optimization, and applied research
• Drive technical co-development with strategic technology partners across hardware, firmware, and commercial tracks
• Develop and manage release plans for algorithms and applications work
• Partner with the VP, Engineering to ensure algorithms and control methods are designed for production deployment
• Stay hands-on early in the role and scale toward leader-of-leaders as the team grows
• Collaborate with the People Team to attract, onboard, and retain top talent in algorithms, applied AI, and control systems
• Optimize resource allocation, budgeting, and timelines for team effectiveness
• Develop and report on success metrics that measure the team's contribution to organizational objectives

Requirements:

• 10-15+ years of professional experience leading teams that develop algorithms, control systems, optimization methods, or applied AI in production
• Deep technical background in control theory, power systems, optimization, applied machine learning, or signal processing
• Demonstrated experience in algorithms and decision-making paradigms with edge AI tools
• Track record of developing leaders and growing the careers of senior engineers and researchers
• Demonstrated ability to lead a senior, technically deep team while remaining hands-on
• Experience translating research and prototypes into shipped products in a startup or fast-moving environment
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to represent technical work credibly to executives, customers, and external technical organizations
• Experience with intellectual property strategy and the patent process
• Willingness to travel up to 20% of time

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental benefits
• Vision benefits
• Employer-match 401k
• Flexible paid time off
• Competitive compensation