Application Guide

How to Apply for AI/ML Engineering Director Fellow

at Federation of American Scientists

🏢 About Federation of American Scientists

The Federation of American Scientists is a unique nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that leverages science and technology expertise to address critical national and global challenges. Working here means contributing to public service missions with real-world impact, bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI research and practical government applications. This role offers the opportunity to shape AI policy and implementation at the state level while working with mission-driven experts across disciplines.

About This Role

As AI/ML Engineering Director Fellow, you'll lead technical strategy and capacity-building to help state governments develop and scale AI solutions that address public needs. This role involves identifying high-impact AI experimentation opportunities, removing systemic barriers to adoption, and ensuring AI systems are production-ready and scalable for government use. Your work will directly influence how state agencies leverage AI to improve services and operations.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning strategy sessions with state government partners to identify AI adoption barriers, followed by technical reviews of prototype AI systems with your engineering team. Afternoons could include developing talent-building frameworks for government AI teams and collaborating with policy fellows to align technical solutions with regulatory considerations. You'll regularly shift between hands-on technical guidance, stakeholder relationship management, and strategic planning for scalable AI implementation.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Federation of American Scientists

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Federation of American Scientists Is Looking For

  • Has 5-7 years of engineering leadership experience specifically mentoring teams through the full AI product lifecycle (from user research to continuous monitoring)
  • Demonstrates proven ability to build cross-functional relationships with non-technical stakeholders in government, policy, legal, and design roles
  • Possesses hands-on experience implementing robust frameworks for AI system orchestration and optimization in production environments
  • Shows understanding of both technical AI/ML implementation and the policy/talent considerations that affect government AI adoption

📝 Tips for Applying to Federation of American Scientists

1

Highlight specific examples where you've mentored engineering teams to design/build/ship AI systems in production environments

2

Demonstrate your ability to translate between technical and non-technical stakeholders by describing cross-functional projects with policy, legal, or design teams

3

Showcase experience with government, public sector, or regulated industry AI implementations, even if indirectly through compliance or security frameworks

4

Include metrics that demonstrate how you've scaled AI solutions or removed barriers to adoption in previous roles

5

Tailor your resume to emphasize both technical leadership AND relationship-building skills, as this role requires equal parts engineering and diplomacy

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience bridging technical AI implementation with policy considerations or regulatory environments', 'Specific examples of mentoring engineering teams through the complete AI product lifecycle', "How you've identified and removed systemic barriers to technology adoption in previous roles", 'Your interest in public service and applying AI to state government challenges']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → FAS's current AI policy initiatives and publications to understand their technical approach to public sector challenges
  • → Recent state government AI implementations and challenges (like unemployment systems, healthcare services, or transportation)
  • → The specific barriers to AI adoption in government contexts (budget cycles, procurement rules, legacy systems, public trust)
  • → FAS's fellowship program structure and how technical roles interface with policy teams

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your approach to building AI engineering capacity in organizations with limited existing expertise
2 How would you identify the highest-impact AI experimentation opportunities for state governments?
3 Walk through your experience implementing frameworks for AI system orchestration and monitoring
4 Discuss a time you navigated cross-functional challenges with legal, policy, or design stakeholders on an AI project
5 How do you balance technical excellence with the practical constraints of government implementation timelines and resources?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing exclusively on technical AI/ML expertise without demonstrating cross-functional collaboration experience
  • Presenting only private-sector examples without showing understanding of public sector constraints or mission-driven work
  • Overemphasizing theoretical AI knowledge without concrete examples of production implementation and team leadership

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Federation of American Scientists!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →