Sr. AI Governance Specialist

Overview Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted. The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.SPA provides critical decision support to enabling and executing a strategy of technological superiority and enabling the delivery and sustainment of secure, resilient, and preeminent capabilities to the warfighter quickly and cost effectively. Our team of experienced military, technical, and operations research analysts is skilled in evaluating military problems, identifying the driving factors, devising innovative approaches, collecting applicable data, developing necessary software tools, and performing thorough and timely assessments to inform technology and acquisition governance decisions to ensure U.S. military forces retain military superiority in the future.We have an near-term need for a Sr. AI Governance Specialist to provide onsite support out of DARPA's HQ Arlington, VA. Responsibilities Based on company and client AI policies, the candidate will develop, implement, and maintain a formal AI Governance Framework governing the selection, deployment, monitoring, and retirement of all AI and automation tools used in support of a government client. At a minimum, the framework shall address Selection and Approval of AI Tools, Human-in-the-Loop Controls, Review and Validation, Bias and Error Monitoring for Quality Assurance, Audit Trail and AI Usage Logs, Identification and Measurement of Automation Impacts Across Tasks, Continuous Improvement, Semi-Annual Reviews, and Updates Based on Evolving AI Policies and Capabilities. Qualifications Required:Master's degree and 8+ years of relevant experience.Active Secret clearance.Proven experience evaluating, risk-assessing, and approving third-party and proprietary AI tools for security, privacy, and ethical alignment.Ability to identify, measure, and manage the operational, ethical, and workforce impacts of AI automation across business workflows.Strong track record in monitoring AI models for bias, drift, hallucinations, and error rates, and implementing automated guardrails for continuous quality assurance.Experience conducting AI policy reviews and adapting internal frameworks to keep pace with evolving AI capabilities and global regulations (such as NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001, or the EU AI Act).Able to report to Arlington, VA up to full-time based upon client needs.Desired:PhD with 5+ years of relevant experience.Experience developing AI policies and procedures.Demonstrated experience developing and/or implementing formal governance or quality assurance frameworks.Familiarity with DoD standard AI tools (e.g. genAI.mil).Expertise in establishing Human-AI Teaming and validation workflows to ensure meaningful human oversight of high-impact AI outputs.Familiarity with governance for autonomous and multi-agent AI systems, including defining action boundaries, tool-use permissions, identity and access management for non-human agents, and real-time "kill-switch" or intervention protocols. Pay Range Information At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Virginia, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $185,000.00/Yr. - USD $220,000.00/Yr. Job SummaryID: 2026-23895Category: Cybersecurity & IT SolutionsSecurity Clearance Requirement: SecretType: Regular Full-TimeLevel: Senior