COMPUTER SCIENTIST (AI INNOVATION LEAD)

Lead major AI/ML initiatives within DCSA’s innovation program and Software Factory, serving as the principal advisor on emerging software architecture, establishing the agency’s AI standards, and ensuring compliance with Department of Defense and NIST AI frameworks.

Responsibilities

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

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service. More information.
• This is a Drug Testing designated position.
• Position is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601.
• Work Schedule: Full Time.
• Overtime: Occasionally required.
• Tour of Duty: Flexible.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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 an appropriate security clearance.
• This position requires Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Practitioner certification in Engineering and Technical Management. Applicants without this certification must obtain it within 5 years (60 months) of starting the position.

Qualifications

This position has a Basic Requirement for the 1550 series:

• 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 coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.
• Failure to provide transcripts will result in ineligibility for this position.

Applicants must have specialized experience demonstrating the following competencies:

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

You must have one year or more of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade (GG/GS-14) in the Federal service.

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.
• 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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.