Program Manager - AI Pipeline Management

Job Summary We are seeking a highly organized and technically savvy Program Manager with expertise in AI pipeline management to support Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initiatives focused on AI/ML operations, healthcare analytics, automation, and scalable digital transformation. This role will oversee the planning, coordination, execution, and optimization of AI development pipelines across data engineering, model development, deployment, governance, cybersecurity, and operational monitoring within a federal healthcare environment. The ideal candidate combines strong program management capabilities with hands-on understanding of AI workflows, MLOps, cloud infrastructure, federal compliance requirements, and enterprise-scale healthcare technology delivery practices. The Program Manager will work closely with VA stakeholders, clinical and business teams, engineers, architects, and federal leadership to ensure successful delivery of secure, compliant, and mission-driven AI solutions that improve Veteran outcomes and operational efficiency. Primary Responsibilities Program & Portfolio Management Lead enterprise AI initiatives from planning through deployment and operationalization. Manage timelines, budgets, dependencies, risks, and stakeholder communications across multiple AI programs. Coordinate cross-functional teams including data scientists, ML engineers, software engineers, cloud architects, security, and business stakeholders. Establish program governance frameworks, KPIs, and reporting structures. AI Pipeline Management Design, optimize, and oversee AI/ML lifecycle pipelines including: Data ingestion and preprocessing Model training and validation CI/CD for ML models Model deployment and monitoring Retraining and performance management Collaborate with engineering teams to improve automation, scalability, and reliability of AI workflows. Ensure integration of AI systems with enterprise platforms and business applications. Drive implementation of MLOps best practices and standardized delivery frameworks. Operational Excellence Monitor AI pipeline performance, SLAs, and operational metrics. Identify bottlenecks and implement process improvements. Ensure compliance with security, privacy, governance, and responsible AI standards. Support incident management and root cause analysis related to AI systems. Stakeholder Engagement Translate technical AI concepts into business-focused updates and recommendations. Facilitate executive-level reporting and strategic planning. Align AI program objectives with organizational goals and digital transformation initiatives. Minimum Qualifications Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Business, or related field. PMP, PgMP, Scrum Master, SAFe, or Agile certification. 5+ years of program or project management experience. 3+ years managing AI/ML, data engineering, or MLOps initiatives. Strong understanding of AI/ML lifecycle management and cloud-based AI platforms. Experience with Agile, Scrum, SAFe, or hybrid delivery methodologies. Proven experience managing enterprise-scale technical programs. Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills. Desired Qualifications Preferred Qualifications Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. Familiarity with tools and technologies such as: MLflow Airflow Databricks Jenkins/GitHub Actions Python Terraform Snowflake Knowledge of AI governance, model risk management, and responsible AI practices. Experience in VA or other Federal Agencies Technical Skills AI/ML pipeline orchestration MLOps and CI/CD automation Cloud infrastructure and DevOps Data lifecycle management Risk and dependency management Resource planning and forecasting Executive reporting and stakeholder management Soft Skills Strategic thinker with strong analytical abilities Strong leadership and team coordination capabilities Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills Ability to manage competing priorities in fast-paced environments Strong collaboration and communication skills across technical and non-technical teams About Aptive Aptive partners with federal agencies to achieve their missions through improved performance, streamlined operations and enhanced service delivery. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, we support more than a dozen agencies including Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Defense, Homeland Security and the National Science Foundation. ​ We specialize in applying technology, creativity and human-centered services to optimize mission delivery and improve experiences for millions of people who count on government services every day. ​ Founded: 2012Employees: 300+ nationwide EEO Statement Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class. Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.