Senior Manager - Generative Engineering

Job#: 2087836

Job Description:

The Cognitive and Generative-AI Engineering team, within the Enterprise Data and Information Management (EDIM) department, is responsible for designing and implementing advanced AI systems to enhance and scale AI adoption across the organization. This pivotal role drives the AI Center for Enablement by leading skilled AI Engineering talent and AI Operations, spurring innovation, attracting top talent, and fostering collaboration with business partners, Enterprise Technology Services, Enterprise AI Strategy, the AI Working Group, and external technology partners. Additionally, this person will operationalize an Enterprise AI Anchor Platform, nurture an AI-as-a-service culture, and enable the organization to maximize the value from AI investments.

The successful candidate will provide delivery and ongoing support for NFCUs data science, advanced analytics, and augmented intelligence technologies, executing on the strategic vision and ensuring the effective implementation of AI initiatives across the organization, while demonstrating strong communication, technical leadership, and organizational skills. They will assist in leading the coordination of strategic program delivery across Enterprise Data & Information Management (EDIM) disciplines. The incumbent will be considered a subject matter expert and a key stakeholder/key contributor on highly complex initiatives and project teams.

This position is eligible for the TalentQuest employee referral program. If an employee referred you for this job, please apply using the system-generated link that was sent to you.

Responsibilities for Internal Candidates

• Lead Enterprise AI Center for Enablement and ensure its services and deliverables align with NFCU's overall strategic goals and Agentic Transformation program objectives.
• Partner with senior EDIM, technology product, and engineering leaders to shape and contribute to the strategic goals and direction needed to continuously evolve NFCUs AI Center For Enablement capabilities.
• Lead/Conduct technology strategy and roadmap development efforts to drive business unit Data and AI modernization efforts.
• Collaborate with Enterprise Architecture, Cloud Native Engineering, and Microsoft support to build and operationalize AI Anchor Platform as a Service, comprising Model Garden and Control Plane by leveraging Azure and OpenAI technologies.
• Manage AI Engineering and Operations teams, fostering continuous upskilling to enable the design, deployment, and scaling of Generative-AI solutions that boost efficiency and spur innovation.
• Oversee AI standards, best practices, and establish guardrails to ensure secure, ethical, and responsible AI principles are integral to the solutions.
• Ensure consistent application of broader EDIM standards and best practices while planning, developing, reviewing, and enforcing enterprise architectural standards.
• Coordinate the implementation of AI Operational Governance controls by collaborating with the AI Strategy team, AI Working Group, Model Risk Management, and Cyber Security teams to ensure secure AI practices, enhance explainability, and maintain comprehensive audit tracking.
• Support machine-ready Knowledge Management Engineering efforts and drive AI accuracy by implementing measurable data quality metrics and establishing advanced domain adaptation techniques like advanced RAG to meet business needs.
• Drive and enable AI products, including Developer Productivity Tools, across the organization with a high degree of adoption and capture metrics to measure their impact.
• Manage and coach the AI Engineering and AI Operations teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment to drive continuous improvement.
• Assist with leading the formation of cross organizational "communities of practice" to enable federated development activities for AI driven process efficiencies.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with technology vendors and professional services firms specializing in advanced analytics, generative AI, and natural language processing (NLP) to drive NFCU value outcomes.

Qualifications for Internal Candidates

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Data Analytics, Engineering, Statistics, Mathematics or related technical field.
• Experience in leading, designing, implementing, and managing large-scale AI and machine learning solutions, including production-grade Generative-AI applications preferably, in a large multi-function financial services organization.
• Strong technical skills in AI technologies, including experience with Azure and OpenAI familiarity with building and operationalizing AI platforms equipped with Model Garden and Control Plane, and Agentic AI.
• Experience in executing on strategic AI initiatives and aligning foundational AI capabilities with the organizations overall strategic goals and transformation objectives.
• Experience with delivering AI solutions that accelerate productivity.
• Extensive experience with system architecture in a service-oriented and enterprise service business environment, focusing on designing and implementing scalable, reliable, and efficient systems.
• Extensive experience in building a Knowledge Base for AI, cloud migration and engineering cloud centric environments.
• Experience supporting AI Operations, observability and incident management.
• Extensive experience with Agile practices including Scrum, Azure DevOps, Git and CI/CD.
• Expert knowledge of project lifecycles and management methodologies.
• Expert knowledge of engineering principles, practices, and theories, and methods to identify and solve the highest complex problems and perform sophisticated analyses.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of the end-to-end IT process, including architecture, design & engineering, implementation, and operations, ensuring seamless integration and optimal delivery across all stages.
• Experience in financial planning and analysis, encompassing comprehensive cost allocation, continuous budget oversight, and strategic scenario modeling.
• Proven expertise in managing vendor relationships for Statement of Work (SOW) execution, developing risk mitigation strategies, and maintaining effective communication channels to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Expert ability to communicate effectively about AI with a broad range of audiences, from sophisticated technical resources to those with little or no technical background.
• Expert problem solving, collaboration, critical thinking, team building, and presentation skills.
• Expert skill in applying innovative approaches to solving technical design issues.
• Expert verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Solid experience with Python and SQL required.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's in Computer Science, Data Science, Data Analytics, Engineering, Statistics, Mathematics or related technical field.
• Expert knowledge of Navy Federal products, services, programs, policies and procedures.
• Experience in advanced AI/ML technologies.
• Experience building and supporting Enterprise grade APIs.
• Expert knowledge of banking/financial industry trends, products, and services.
• Experience working in an AI Center for Enablement.

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM

Location: 820 Follin Lane, Vienna, VA 22180

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.