AI Program Manager

Bonneville Power Administration; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 134,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

Bonneville Power Administration seeks an AI Program Manager to serve as the principal advisor on AI/ML, shaping strategy, adoption roadmaps, and governance across the bureau. You will align IT and OT initiatives with mission goals and federal mandates, ensuring secure, compliant AI deployments and data readiness.

You will collaborate with CTO leadership, CDO, and policy stakeholders to establish reference architectures, secure access to foundation models, and manage enterprise AI enablement

Qualifications

• No specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as bureau-wide principal advisor and program manager for AI and ML, defining strategy and KPIs.
• Establish governance, data readiness criteria and security requirements for AI deployments.
• Collaborate with policy, legal, planning to ensure compliant AI initiatives across IT/OT.
• Act as executive authority supporting OCTO in evaluating and approving AI system deployments.

Job description

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration, in the Chief Technology Office (JZ) organization in the Chief Information Office (J). A successful candidate in the AI Program Manager position will serve as the AI Program Manager and principal advisor on all matters related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).

Key Responsibilities

As an AI Program Manager, you will: Serve as the bureau-wide principal advisor and program manager for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), defining and executing the strategic vision, adoption roadmap, and key performance indicators in close alignment with Chief Technology Office (JZ) leadership.

Establish operational plans, pattern, and reference architectures across both Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) environments, ensuring all initiatives advance bureau mission goals while bridging high-level federal mandates with utility delivery.

Collaborate with policy, legal, and planning stakeholders to institute and enforce a comprehensive governance framework ensuring secure, responsible, transparent, and compliant AI deployment throughout the organization.

Act as the designated executive and technical authority supporting the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) for evaluating and approving the operational deployment of high-impact AI systems-including applications corporate/back-office functions, transmission grid planning and operations, regional hydro planning, and NERC-CIP-protected control room and field cyber assets.

Collaborate with the Chief Data Officer (CDO) to establish data readiness criteria, governance policies, and quality guardrails for model ingestion and training pipelines.

Direct enterprise enablement initiatives by establishing secure access to pre-approved foundation models, managing sandbox environments, creating reusable design patterns, and evaluating Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) / SaaS AI products to enforce data privacy and non-training clauses on Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Serve as the primary strategic liaison between technical teams, operational business units, enterprise architects, and external entities.

This position is located in Portland, OR which boasts huge spans of amazing trees, foliage, landscape, and everywhere you look you can appreciate beautiful greenery! Portland is the one place where you will find lively festivals, energetic music, and mouthwatering food! There is always something new to experience in this eco-friendly town!

Requirements & Education

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Bonneville Power Administration, Department of Energy.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $134180 – $174433/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-29.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.