Special Assistant with Security Clearance

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and highly organized Special Assistant to support the Director of the Autonomy Division within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD/R&E) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO).

Key Responsibilities

• Executive Support & Division Management: Assist the Division Director in managing all aspects of division activities to include awareness of activities in a highly dynamic environment impacting division operations. Ensure strategic objectives are met and operational activities are seamlessly executed.
• Front Office Liaison: Serve as the principal Autonomy Division liaison with the CDAO Front office. Responsible for coordinating, managing, and tracking tasks and schedules covering operations, plans, acquisition, budget, and project management.
• Deliverables & Communications: Prepare and coordinate high-quality, timely documents, read-ahead materials, memos, white papers, presentations, and other deliverables for senior General/Flag Officer and Senior Executive Service leadership. Distill complex technical and programmatic information into clear, concise communications for a variety of audiences.
• Department of War (DoW) Coordination: Coordinate with a wide range of external organizations, including leading DoW autonomy organizations across the Services, combatant commands, and Defense Agencies & Field Activities (DAFAs), especially program offices, R&D, T&E, and research laboratories.
• Industry & Partner Engagement: Act as a key point of contact for coordinating with industry vendor partners for autonomy, facilitating strategic partnerships and ensuring alignment with CDAO objectives.
• Strategic Planning: Support the Director in long-range strategic planning and cross-functional operations. Provide insights on strategic milestones and help align division efforts with the broader CDAO and DoW AI/ML and autonomy strategies.

Required Experience/Clearance

• US citizenship with an active Department of War (DoW) Top Secret (TS) security clearance and current access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) (TS/SCI) is required.
• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of related experience in project management, strategic planning, or executive support, preferably within the DoW. A combination of an advanced degree and experience is also acceptable.
• Demonstrated experience as a proven leader and team builder with a mature, organized, and personable demeanor.
• Must be knowledgeable in DoW work environments, including an understanding of organizational structure, administrative processes, and communication protocols.
• Must be knowledgeable and conversant in current events and capabilities related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Agentic systems, and Autonomy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing briefs, papers, and other materials for senior executive-level consumption.

Desired Experience

• Experience working in or directly supporting a senior-level office within the Department of War or the Intelligence Community much as a military staff officer or equivalent would support their leadership.
• Strong understanding of the DoW acquisition, budgeting, and requirements generation processes. A working knowledge of rapid acquisition pathways such as Middle Tier of Acquisition or other transaction authorities OTA agreements would be ideal.
• Experience in coordinating with cross-functional teams across military services, agencies, and industry partners.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.