Job Description Summary
Do you want to work at the frontier of national security challenges, at the intersection of artificial intelligence, human performance, and autonomy?
Organization's Summary Statement:
The Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland is a
University-Affiliated Research Center (UARC) dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and technology transition to improve decision making for U.S. national security. ARLIS combines deep scientific expertise with operational insight to address challenges in intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence / machine learning, quantum science, and human-machine teaming. Researchers, scientists, engineers, and analysts at ARLIS collaborate with government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions to deliver actionable insights and transformative solutions through research and development. Employees at ARLIS work on projects of critical importance, contribute directly to the nation’s security, and are supported by a culture that values integrity, collaboration, and professional growth.
Job Description Summary:
The Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland invites applications for a Division Director to lead our Intelligent Human-Machine Systems (IHMS) Division. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of human-machine collaboration in mission-critical environments while leading a world-class, interdisciplinary research organization.
The IHMS Division sits at the heart of this mission, developing technologies and methodologies that enhance decision-making, optimize human performance, and enable effective teaming between humans and intelligent systems in complex, high-stakes environments. IHMS researches AI, autonomy, and augmentation to improve performance for a range of intelligence and security missions to provide engagement advantage for national security.
The Division Director will provide strategic, operational, and technical leadership for a growing portfolio of research programs, partnerships, and team of over 25 talented researchers.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Organizational Management:
-Provide overall leadership and vision for the IHMS Division, including strategic planning, growth, and execution of research programs.
-Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of researchers, engineers, and developers across AI, human systems, and social sciences as applied to intelligence and security missions.
-Manage a portfolio of government-sponsored R&D programs, ensuring delivery of high-quality technical outcomes on schedule and within budget.
-Build and sustain relationships with key government sponsors, including Department of War (DoW) and Intelligence Community (IC) stakeholders.
-Drive business development activities, including identifying new opportunities, shaping proposals, and expanding ARLIS’s impact.
-Oversee hiring, workforce development, and organizational culture within the division.
-Ensure compliance with security, contracting, and operational requirements associated with classified and sensitive programs.
Technical & Strategic Leadership:
-Guide the division’s technical direction across core areas mission areas of:
-Command, Control, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C2ISR)
-Human Performance and Readiness Augmentation (HPRA)
-Autonomy
-Provide thought leadership in emerging areas such as:
-Human-machine teaming and collaboration
-AI-enabled mission systems and autonomy
-Sociotechnical systems and human-AI trust
-Integration of AI into operational workflows and decision environments
-Human performance, training, and readiness
-Serve as a Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator on high-impact, externally sponsored research programs and engage directly with divisions'’ projects, offering technical insight, guidance, and review.
-Represent ARLIS in external engagements, including sponsor briefings, interagency collaborations, and academic/industry partnerships.
Minimum Qualifications:
-Ph.D. or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Engineering, Human Factors, Cognitive Science, Data Science, or a related field.
-Applicants with a Master's Degree and relevant experience of at least 15 years will be considered but will require additional University authorization.
-10+ years of relevant experience, including:
-Leadership of technical teams or research organizations.
-Management of complex R&D programs (preferably in DoW or IC environments).
-Demonstrated success in managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering impactful research outcomes.
-Strong understanding of at least one of the following:
-AI/ML systems and applications.
-Human-machine interaction and human performance.
-Complex systems engineering or mission systems.
-Experience working with government sponsors and navigating federal R&D environments.
Must be able to obtain a U.S. security clearance. If selected, you must meet the requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to a government security clearance investigation that includes criminal and credit history checks, as well as verification of U.S. citizenship, birth, education, employment, and military history.
Final offer is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to successfully obtain the necessary interim Secret security clearance, as determined by the U.S. Government, prior to commencing employment.
Preferred Qualifications:
-Prior experience leading a division, center, or large program portfolio.
-Track record of successful proposal development and program growth.
-Familiarity with national security mission areas such as intelligence analysis, cyber operations, or defense systems.
-Experience integrating technical research into operational or deployed environments.
-Background in interdisciplinary research spanning technical and behavioral domains.
-Active security clearance (TS/SCI preferred).
Work Environment & Impact:
-Lead research that directly informs national security strategy and operations.
-Work in a highly collaborative environment spanning academia, government, and industry.
-Influence the development and deployment of next-generation AI-enabled systems.
-Shape a growing division at a pivotal moment in the evolution of AI and human-machine collaboration.
-Contribute to a mission where success has real-world consequences for national defense and global stability.
Why This Role:
This is not just a leadership position—it is an opportunity to define how humans and intelligent systems will work together in the most demanding environments imaginable.
At ARLIS, you will:
-Operate at the cutting edge of AI, autonomy, and human systems
-Lead teams tackling problems that matter at a national and global scale
-Translate advanced research into real-world capabilities for mission partners
-If you are motivated by impact, leadership, and the challenge of shaping the future of intelligent systems in national security, this role offers an exceptional platform.
About the IHMS Division:
The Intelligent Human-Machine Systems Division brings together expertise from engineering, computer science, data science, operational research, human subject research (HSR), and understanding of human health, physiology, and neurobiology, to design systems that enhance human effectiveness in complex environments. Its work includes:
-Developing AI-enabled tools for decision support and intelligence analysis
-Designing and evaluating human-machine teams for operational settings
-Advancing human performance, training, and readiness
-Establishing frameworks for ethical and responsible AI deployment
-Testing and validating AI systems within mission contexts
This work reflects a broader ARLIS mission: ARLIS advances U.S. national security by operationalizing research, innovation, and technology that enhance decision-making and deliver engagement advantage.
Physical Demands:
-Sedentary work performed in a normal office environment; exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
-Ability to attend meetings both on and off campus. Spending long hours in front of a computer screen.
-Must be able to be in the office a minimum of 3 days a week.
Additional Job Details
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, List of References
Best Consideration Date: 5/30/26
Posting Close Date: N/A
Open Until Filled: Yes
Financial Disclosure Required
No
For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.
Department
VPR-Applied Research Lab for Intelligence & Security
Worker Sub-Type
Faculty Regular
Salary Range
$43,894 - $254,811
Benefits Summary
For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
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