COMPUTER SCIENTIST (AI INNOVATION LEAD)

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA); Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) seeks a Computer Scientist (AI Platform Lead) to guide major AI/ML initiatives in its innovation program and Software Factory. You will serve as the principal advisor on emerging software architecture, establish the agency's AI standards, and ensure compliance with DoW and NIST AI frameworks.

If you possess expert Agile software engineering experience and are ready to secure national security technologies through cutting-edge AI innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or a degree with 30 semester hours in math, statistics, and CS.
• At least 15 of the 30 hours must include calculus.
• Transcript required for eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical advisor on AI/ML architectures across agency mission areas.
• Authoritative voice on AI policy; standardize criteria and present briefings to senior oversight bodies.
• Govern AI planning, engineering, and deployment within the Software Factory using Agile methods and MVP releases.
• Establish enterprise AI governance, registry, and compliance aligned with DoDI 5000.87, NIST RMF, and responsible AI guidelines.
• Lead strategic planning for AI innovation and coordinate with defense, intelligence, and academic partners.

Skills

Artificial Intelligence

Technical Credibility

Strategic Thinking

Project Management

Enterprise Architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science

Job description

Summary

DCSA is hiring a Computer Scientist (AI Platform Lead) to lead major AI/ML initiatives in our innovation program and Software Factory. You will serve as the principal advisor on emerging software architecture, establish the agency's AI standards, and ensure compliance with DoW and NIST AI frameworks. If you possess expert Agile software engineering experience and are ready to secure national security technologies through cutting-edge AI innovation.

Duties

• Serves as a DCSA senior technical advisor on emerging AI, machine learning, and advanced software engineering architecture across all agency mission areas.
• Serves as the authoritative agency voice on AI policy, standardizing technical criteria, and presenting program briefings to senior oversight bodies.
• Enables the governance of AI planning, engineering, and deployment of complex AI/ML capabilities within the Software Factory, utilizing Agile methodologies and iterative MVP releases.
• Establishes the enterprise AI governance framework, registry, and compliance strategies aligned with DoDI 5000.87, NIST AI RMF, and responsible AI guidelines.
• Leads strategic planning for, AI innovation and participates in other working groups to synchronize DCSA's AI and data capability development with defense, intelligence, and academic partners.
• Manages high-level liaison with the DoW CDAO, CIO, and industry vendors to negotiate solutions, evaluate emerging technology, and modernize agency operations.

Requirements

• Must be a US citizen
• Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. For more information http://www.sss.gov
• Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
• This is a Drug Testing designated position
• Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
• Work Schedule: Full Time
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• PCS (Permanent Change of Station): May Be Authorized
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Required
• Telework Eligibility: Supervisors may approve situational telework on a case-by-case, temporary basis for limited situations.
• If selected, the incumbent must obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as indicated in job announcement.
• This position requires Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Practitioner certification in Engineering and Technical Management and is expected to meet all related certification requirements per the Department of Defense Instruction 5000.66.
• However, applicants that do not meet this requirement are eligible to be hired but must obtain an Engineering and Technical Management Practitioner certification within 5 years (60 months) after the first day of starting in the position.

Qualifications

This position has a Basic Requirement for the 1550: Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

• NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.

You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade GG/GS-14 in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.

Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience.

Specialized experience for this position includes

Experience in computer science theories to design, engineer, and implement complex Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) software architectures within secure, high-impact environments. Experience in Agile methodologies and tools to manage enterprise-level projects, focusing on Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), continuous value assessments, and iterative software releases over traditional waterfall processes. Experience in establishing AI governance frameworks (such as case registries) and ensure compliance with federal standards such as AI NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) principles. Experience navigating and leveraging the Software Acquisition Pathways to vet, acquire, and deploy modern software capabilities within a defense or national security framework. Experience with High-level communication and negotiation skills to liaise with critical external stakeholders and advocate for program priorities to senior military and civilian leaders.

Specifically You Will Be Evaluated On The Following Competencies

• Artificial Intelligence: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools used to design systems that perform human intelligence functions.
• Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.
• Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment that takes into consideration the environment, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organization goals and values.
• Project Management: Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
• Enterprise Architecture: Knowledge of principles, concepts, and methods of enterprise architecture to align information technology (IT) strategy, plans, and systems with the mission, goals, structure, and processes of the organization.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional Information

VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL

In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.

If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions.

If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS.

All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statue, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status.

For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here.

For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.

ACQUISITION POSITION

This position requires a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Practitioner certification in Engineering & Technical Management. Certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 5 years (60 months) after entry into this position. For information regarding the DAWIA Back to Basics please visit: Home (dau.edu) or Back to Basics - Helpful Resources (dau.edu)

• DAWIA (Back to Basics) Certification: NON-CAP: Position requires DoD Acquisition Practitioner certification in Engineering & Technical Management within required timeframes. Selectee must also achieve 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every 2-years. Click here for more details and Resources.

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.

You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

Recruitment incentives may be authorized.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

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