Program Manager, Autonomy

DoW Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; Full time

Job description

About the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office

The Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) mission is to accelerate the adoption of data, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) across the Department of War (DoW). The CDAO works across the Military Departments and Services, Joint Staff, Combatant Commands (CCMDs), Office of the Secretary of War (OSW), and other DoW Components to design, develop, field, and scale technologies, capabilities, strategies, policies, and other guidance related to data, analytics, and AI in support of DoW’s warfighting and business functions, including responding to crises and emerging challenges with state‑of‑the‑art digital solutions.

The CDAO has three broad goals of enabling, speeding, and scaling adoption of AI in the DoW. Rapid and scalable adoption of AI is a critical capability for DoW support in national security, and the CDAO executes that strategy. The CDAO’s role in facilitating the rapid adoption of frontier AI and autonomy will enable the DoW’s other objectives by informing future investments into policies, partnership, and infrastructure, enabling the adoption of AI at scale throughout the department.

The incumbent serves as a manager responsible for establishing the structure of programs focused on autonomy, including the management of complex systems engineering and software development processes. As a senior advisor, you will facilitate collaboration across the Department of War (DoW) and Intelligence Community (IC) on programs related to AI, Robotics, and Autonomous Systems. This is aimed at expediting the development, testing, and operational deployment of safe, reliable, and effective autonomous capabilities.

As the Program Manager for Autonomy, you will lead critical programs focused on developing and integrating cutting‑edge autonomous systems into DoW operations. This role involves working closely with leading defense contractors, robotics companies, and DoW operational users to prototype, test, and field autonomous platforms and evaluate their effectiveness in realistic, structured experiments.

This position is covered by the Department of War (DoW) Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo). The position is located in Washington, DC. The pay plan and broadband level for this role is NH‑0800/1500‑04, which is equivalent to the GS‑14/15 grade level. This position does have an education requirement – details can be found here.

This role will close for submissions at 11:59 pm on June 3, 2025.

What you’ll do here:

• Lead the development, integration, and fielding of autonomous systems, including both hardware and software, into critical DoW missions and operational environments.
• Manage, budget, plan, and execute a large‑scale systems development program involving multiple industry and government teams.
• Provide subject‑matter expertise to inform best practices, guidance, and policy on the DoW’s use of Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS).
• Provide subject‑matter expertise to advise DoW partners on the application of policy, standards, and systems engineering principles to ensure the successful development, testing, evaluation, and fielding of autonomous systems.
• Work across a diverse and cross‑functional team of engineers (software, hardware, systems), operational end‑users, and DoW partners to deliver capability that directly supports the warfighter.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Candidate is encouraged to provide e‑portfolio, project samples, Github, etc. to their submission package.
• Males born after 12‑31‑59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration
• This position is subject to provisions of the WHS/OSD Priority Placement Program (please see details below)
• Applicants for employment are covered by federal laws and Presidential Executive Orders designed to safeguard federal employees and job applicants from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non‑merit‑based factors
• A three‑year trial period may be required if not previously completed a trial or probationary period in the excepted or competitive service
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
• Required to participate in the direct deposit program.
• This position is subject to pre‑employment and random drug testing.
• We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
• Recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives may be authorized based on the availability of funds.
• This position is being recruited under 10 USC 1599f into the Cyber Excepted Service and does NOT convey eligibility to be converted to the Competitive Service.
• For more information on the Cyber Excepted Service Personnel System, click here https://public.cyber.mil/cw/dod-cyber-excepted-service-ces/
• This position requires a Top Secret/ Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance.
• If you are a veteran claiming veteran’s preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package.
• This position may require work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and/or mandatory overtime.
• This position may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station via military or commercial aircraft.

Priority Placement Program Details

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible:

Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self‑Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. https://acpol2.army.mil/chra_dodea/PPP_MSP_self_certification_checklist.pdf

Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible:

MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self‑Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/sites/default/files/military_reserve_and_guard_tech_ppp_self_cert_checklist.pdf

Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible:

MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self‑Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/sites/default/files/military_reserve_and_guard_disability_ppp_self_cert_checklist.pdf

Retained Grade PPP Eligible:

Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self‑Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/sites/default/files/retained_grade_ppp_self_cert_checklist.pdf