Expert Associate Partner QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey

You will play a senior leadership role in shaping and delivering agentic AI and machine learning solutions for defense clients across the public and private sector. * Atlanta * Boston * Chicago * Dallas * New York City * San Francisco * Silicon Valley * Southern California * Washington DCApply NowApply LaterDo you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges? You've come to the right place.YOUR IMPACTSecurity Clearance:US Citizenship and an active SECRET clearance (or higher) are required at time of hire - no exceptions. An active or previously held Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility is preferred.You'll work with McKinsey client service teams to counsel defense clients, shape their AI and data agendas, and build and deploy agentic AI and machine learning systems that meet rigorous standards for security, resilience, and mission assurance. You'll also help us refine our Defense-facing AI assets and deploy them at clients.What that looks like in practice: * Lead AI implementation client engagements - helping clients define their aspirations and the impact required to achieve them, then setting technical direction and ensuring exceptional delivery. Priority topics span manufacturing, readiness, industrial base, resource allocation, acquisition, and talent. * Architect and lead teams to deliver custom-built agentic AI and machine learning systems - from use case shaping through secure build, testing, deployment, and adoption - so capabilities operate at every level of classification, not just in a lab or demo. This means partnering with client program and technical leaders, aligning stakeholders, and building the measurement approach that keeps value visible and durable. * Span the full range of AI techniques, from traditional machine learning to generative AI, semantic layers, and multi-agent systems, and hold every solution to defense-grade standards for security, resilience, and human oversight. * Bring sharp problem-solving and vision-setting to complex mission and business needs - delivering high-impact insights and recommendations, and leading technical design workshops to co-create solutions and architecture with government program offices, uniformed and civilian leaders, and industry partners. * Build scalable, secure AI foundations (data architecture, MLOps, governance, and security controls suited to classified and controlled-unclassified environments) that enable repeatable AI delivery across programs, especially where legacy defense systems, sensor data, and modern AI platforms must work together. * Apprentice and mentor teams - you'll be responsible for developing high-performing QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey practitioners across the Defense practice, raising the bar on quality, pace, and practical impact, while building the cleared talent pipeline the practice needs to scale.You'll work as part of our Defense practices - either serving private sector Aerospace and Defense companies or Government - and QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey, partnering closely with senior leaders across the global Defense practice and directly with senior government and industry clients on topics related to digital, technology, and advanced analytics. You'll be part of the senior leadership team that helps clients realize material value from their AI and data assets, running multiple engagements simultaneously and leading large, complex, high-profile working sessions on findings and implications, often across both classified and unclassified settings. You'll oversee multiple AI builds, giving each program the technical direction and client leadership it needs to move from concept to deployment, usage, and impact. Working alongside small QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey teams and McKinsey client service teams, you'll turn client priorities into