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CDAO - Enterprise AI - Program Manager, Autonomy Digital Platforms
Application Deadline: 1 September 2026
Department: Enterprise - Autonomy
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Arlington, VA
Description
Job Title: Program Manager, Autonomy Digital Platforms
JOA: CDAO-2026-000112
Pay Scale: $139,395-$197,200
Open Date: 11 August 2026
Close Date: 1 September 2026
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 Defense (OSD), 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.
Adversaries collectively produce millions of unmanned systems (UxS) each year across all domains. While global military unmanned systems production has skyrocketed over the last three years, the United States has been slow to field these capabilities at scale. The DoW is moving at speed to bolster the U.S. drone manufacturing base, arm combat units with low-cost unmanned systems, and training the Joint Force to fight and win with these capabilities.
As Program Manager for Autonomy Digital Platforms within CDAO's Autonomy Division, you will be responsible for establishing and leading the critical software capabilities, digital infrastructure, and cloud-to-edge environments that power rapid autonomy development. By architecting a robust and scalable digital backbone, this position will ensure that DoW programs can develop, integrate, test, and deploy highly effective, safe, and reliable autonomous systems in days or weeks, rather than years.
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-0340-04, which is equivalent to the GS-14/15 grade level.
This role will close for submissions at 11:59pm on September 1st, 2026.
What you'll do here:

• Scale the DoW Autonomy Platforms & Software Pipelines: Lead the design and implementation of automated pipelines and architectures that support rapid software iterations, continuous algorithm improvement, and secure software deployment to platforms in the field.
• Architect Cloud-to-Edge Infrastructure: Direct the development of a secure, distributed digital architecture that scales seamlessly from enterprise cloud environments down to tactical computing platforms operating at the physical edge.
• Lead Modeling, Simulation, & Virtual Testing: Oversee the creation of virtual testbeds, simulation environments, and digital twins to thoroughly integrate, test, evaluate, verify, and validate complex autonomous behaviors and software performance prior to operational testing and physical fielding.
• Lead UxS Standards & Interoperability: Lead the development and establishment of technical standards and open architectures to ensure different autonomous platforms integrate seamlessly with each other and relevant command-and-control systems.
• Execute Programmatic & Portfolio Leadership: Budget, plan, and execute large-scale, highly technical software acquisition and engineering efforts, coordinating a diverse coalition of traditional defense contractors, non-traditional commercial technology firms, and operational end-users.

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/OSW Priority Placement Program (please see details below)
• 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 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