IT Business Partner Senior Principal - AI

Job Description
We are creating a new AI-Focused IT Business Partner role to co-lead the development and advancement of Artificial Intelligence strategy across the Space & Mission Systems (SMS) sector. This individual will co-lead with engineering and collaborate with extended business leaders, functional partners, and the IT Business Partner (ITBP) team to understand emerging needs, identify high-value opportunities, and translate them into actionable technology plans. As an expert in AI trends and industry evolution, this role will evaluate sector-wide use cases, gather inputs from peer ITBPs, and ensure our investments align with both immediate business priorities and long-range digital transformation goals.
The IT Business Partner for AI will partner with cross-functional teams to articulate a cohesive SMS AI strategy, ensuring it is deeply connected to the broader Enterprise IT AI strategy and consistent with cybersecurity, compliance, and mission requirements. This individual will create and maintain a multi-year AI roadmap, oversee the intake and prioritization of AI demands, and facilitate alignment across business units, programs, and technology stakeholders. By bridging the gap between business needs and IT capabilities, they will ensure that solutions are feasible, value-driven, integrated, and technically well-defined.
The Operations Strategic Capabilities Unit plays a fundamental role in enabling efficient business and program execution - from strategic capital investments, industrial operations and an efficient supply chain, to state-of-the-art manufacturing and test operations and top-notch facilities management.
What You'll Do:

• Co-Lead the development and articulation of the sector's AI strategy with Engineering, ensuring alignment with sector business priorities, compliance requirements, and the broader Enterprise IT AI strategy.
• Serve as the primary AI business partner for the Space & Mission Systems (SMS) sector, acting as the central point of coordination for AI needs, opportunities, and initiatives across all business and functional areas.
• Create, maintain, and communicate a multi year AI roadmap that reflects current priorities, emerging needs, and evolving enterprise capabilities.
• Collaborate closely with the SBUs, SCUs, and peer IT Business Partners to gather demand signals, identify use cases, and consolidate AI requirements across the sector.
• Assess proposed AI initiatives for value, feasibility, risk, readiness, and alignment with sector and enterprise strategies.
• Oversee the intake, triage, and prioritization of AI related IT demands, ensuring clear visibility and timely decision making.
• Lead cross functional requirements gathering, translating business needs into well-defined problem statements, user stories, and technical requirements for IT engineering and enterprise AI teams.
• Partner with Enterprise IT, cybersecurity, compliance, data governance, and architecture teams to ensure responsible, secure, and integrated AI implementations.
• Monitor and interpret AI industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices, bringing forward insights and recommendations relevant to the sector.
• Influence stakeholders at multiple levels-business leaders, program teams, IT delivery teams, and enterprise partners-through excellent communication, relationship-building, and leadership without authority.
• Facilitate cross functional working groups, workshops, and discovery sessions to mature AI concepts and accelerate adoption.
• Develop business cases, value assessments, and success metrics for AI initiatives; track outcomes to ensure measurable impact.
• Provide ongoing visibility into AI progress, risks, dependencies, and achievements through dashboards, briefings, and executive-ready communications.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site three or more days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.
Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office environment, laboratory, cleanroom, or production floor.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• BS/BA in related field plus 8 or more years related experience.
• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master's Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• Related certifications may count towards years of related experience.
• Deep understanding of AI concepts and trends, including generative AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, automation frameworks, and the evolving enterprise technology landscape.
• Proven experience in IT business partnering, product ownership, or technology strategy roles with emphasis on translating business needs into actionable IT solutions.
• Demonstrated strength in strategic planning, including creating multi-year technology roadmaps, prioritizing initiatives, and aligning with enterprise architecture and IT governance.
• Exceptional requirements-gathering and problem-definition skills, able to convert complex business opportunities into clear user stories, use cases, or capability definitions.
• Experience with demand management, intake processes, and initiative prioritization across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Excellent communication and executive-level communication skills with an ability to simplify technical concepts and present them in terms of business value.
• Excellent analytical mindset with experience using data-driven insights to evaluate opportunities, assess value, and inform roadmap decisions.
• The ability to lead through influence, collaborate across organizational boundaries, and drive alignment without direct authority.
• Demonstrated comfort navigating ambiguity, shaping new capability areas, and building structure where none exists.
• Solid understanding of IT governance, cybersecurity, compliance, and responsible AI frameworks as they relate to enterprise environments.
• Ability to work effectively with Enterprise IT teams, architects, cybersecurity, data governance, and engineering to ensure secure, scalable, and supportable AI solutions.
• Proven ability to build relationships and trust across technical and non-technical teams, including executives, business leaders, and engineering groups.
• High learning agility and curiosity - staying current with industry AI advancements, regulatory changes, and emerging enterprise AI tools.

#LI-LO1
A security clearance or access with Polygraph is not required to be eligible for this position. However, the applicant must be willing and eligible for submission, depending on program requirements, after an offer is accepted and must be able to maintain the applicable clearance/access.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Experience working in closed or classified environments.
• Experience with cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), Gov Cloud, IL certified environments deployment and support.
• Experience with IT governance and risk management frameworks.
• Professional certifications in IT, such as ITIL or PMP.
• Masters degree.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $132962 - $226035
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems for government and commercial customers. We continually pioneer ways to innovate spacecraft, mission payloads, optical systems, and other defense and civil capabilities. Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission focus, we continually discover ways to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Multiple positions may be available on this opening.