Senior Software Project Lead - AI & Optimization (Remote)

Defcon AI, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

DEFCON AI is seeking a Software Project Lead to own the software design, architecture, and end-to-end delivery for a DoW program, from customer problem to deployed software.

You will lead a small software team, coordinate with a program manager, SMEs, and an optimization scientist, and manage the unclassified-to-secure delivery path with disciplined CI/CD. This fully remote role requires travel up to 25% to customer sites and DEFCON AI facilities as needed.

Qualifications

• 8+ years building and shipping production software.
• Experience leading a small team and delivering end-to-end projects.
• Experience with unclassified-to-secure delivery and secure environments.
• Strong requirements gathering and architectural design instincts.
• Collaboration with optimization scientists and data teams.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Own software design, architecture, and end-to-end delivery for the program.
• Lead and coordinate a cross-functional team including PMs, SMEs, and data scientists.
• Balance open-source tools with secure, production-grade delivery.
• Interface with customer to gather requirements and translate into design.
• Own release cadence and deployment aligned with government timelines.
• Ensure CI/CD hygiene and security coordination.

Skills

Production software

Front-end visualization

Hands-on leadership

Unclassified-to-secure delivery

Requirements & architecture

Optimization collaboration

Lead small teams

Travel readiness

Job description

DEFCON AI is seeking a Software Project Lead to own the software design, architecture, and end-to-end delivery for a DoW program, from customer problem to deployed software.

You will lead a small software team, coordinate with a program manager, SMEs, and an optimization scientist, and manage the unclassified-to-secure delivery path with disciplined CI/CD. This fully remote role requires travel up to 25% to customer sites and DEFCON AI facilities as needed.