Sr. Director, Translational AI Research

About the Role

The Sr. Director will drive a research‑led innovation pipeline focused on measurable business outcomes and lead a high‑performing team of AI researchers, data scientists, and ML engineers. They will raise enterprise AI maturity by applying machine learning, optimization, simulation, and agentic systems while fostering a culture of experimentation and scientific rigor. The leader will set technical vision, standards, and operating mechanisms for responsible, high‑integrity AI development, embedding governance, transparency, and compliance into all workflows. By partnering with senior leaders across operations, finance, sales, service, and product, they will align AI strategy with enterprise priorities, map decision workflows, and model human decision behavior to validate operational alignment. The role also includes delivering scalable AI solutions through reusable APIs, micro‑services, CI/CD practices, robust MLOps, and user‑centered pilots to ensure trust and adoption. • Lead AI research and translate findings into production‑grade solutions that deliver measurable business outcomes. • Manage a high‑performing team of AI researchers, data scientists, and ML engineers. • Establish AI governance, transparency, and compliance across all workflows. • Partner with senior leaders to align AI strategy with operations, finance, sales, service, and product priorities. • Design and deploy scalable AI services using reusable APIs, micro‑services, and CI/CD pipelines. • Conduct user‑centered pilots to ensure trust, usability, and adoption of AI solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸ai research
• ▸ai governance
• ▸mlops
• ▸api deployment
• ▸team management
• ▸strategy alignment

What You Bring

Successful candidates will hold an advanced degree—preferably a Ph.D.—in a quantitative discipline and bring at least 15 years of AI/ML, data science, or advanced analytics experience, including five years leading research or engineering teams. They must demonstrate the ability to convert complex research into deployed, high‑impact AI systems and possess deep expertise in machine learning, multi‑objective optimization, agentic AI, simulation, and digital twins. Strong executive communication, cross‑functional leadership, and experience in industrial, IoT, building systems, autonomous systems, or supply‑chain domains are preferred. A record of patents, publications, or recognized external AI leadership, as well as experience scaling AI platforms, APIs, and micro‑services in real‑time or edge environments, is advantageous. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship and be willing to travel quarterly. • Require an advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in a quantitative field and 15+ years of AI/ML experience, including 5+ years leading teams. • Demonstrated ability to turn complex research into deployed, high‑impact AI systems with expertise in ML, optimization, agentic AI, simulation, and digital twins. • Strong executive communication and cross‑functional leadership capabilities. • Require quarterly travel and unrestricted U.S. work authorization.

Requirements

• ▸ph.d.
• ▸15+ years
• ▸ai/ml
• ▸optimization
• ▸digital twins
• ▸team leadership

Benefits

The role offers a salary range of $198,000 to $240,000, with adjustments based on education, experience, location, and performance. Benefits include a 401(k) plan with generous company match, automatic retirement contributions, and comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents. Employees receive three weeks of paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, life and disability insurance, voluntary benefits such as legal, pet, home, and auto insurance, and generous parental and adoption leave with assistance. Additional perks comprise tuition reimbursement, performance‑based spot bonuses, service‑anniversary recognition, and wellness programs. Otis also supports employee development through training, leadership opportunities, and an Employee Scholar Program. • Offer competitive salary $198k–$240k, 401(k) match, comprehensive health benefits, three weeks paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, life and disability insurance, voluntary benefits, parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and performance bonuses.

Work Environment

Office Full-Time