Fresh Listing

Posted: February 24, 2026 (1 day ago)

This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.

Principal Deputy Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer

Office of the Secretary of Defense

Department of Defense

Fresh

Location

Salary

$186,207 - $228,000

per year

Closes

March 10, 2026More DOD jobs →

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This high-level role in the Department of Defense involves guiding policies and projects on digital technology and artificial intelligence to support military needs, while ensuring government operations run more efficiently.

It requires leading teams to deliver innovative solutions using data and AI. Ideal candidates are experienced leaders passionate about public service, the U.S.

Constitution, and improving federal efficiency, with a strong background in managing large-scale tech programs.

Key Requirements

  • Demonstrated experience leading teams and managing projects in data, analytics, digital, or AI solutions in government or large organizations
  • Expertise in using data analytics for business management in large, impactful programs
  • Commitment to the U.S. Constitution, rule of law, and principles of the American founding
  • Ability to drive efficiency through resource management, budgeting, and cutting wasteful spending
  • Knowledge of the American system of government, including separation of powers and federalism
  • Senior executive-level experience suitable for SES, with accomplishments in fiscal responsibility and process improvements
  • Resume limited to 2 pages demonstrating ECQs and TQs; no separate narratives

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, within the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering.

The incumbent provides broad guidance on policy, programmatic and technical issues relating to CDAO responsibilities and functions to satisfy warfighter needs.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ), and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES.

Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Please see "Required Documents" section below for all resume formatting requirements.

Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s).

If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

Do NOT submit a separate narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications: TQ 1: 1) Demonstrated experience in leading teams and managing projects that deliver data, analytics, digital, or AI-enabled solutions within the DoW, the Federal government, a state or local government, or a large corporation.

TQ 2: Experience in using data analytics to lead business management functions associated with large, impactful programs.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs.

If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

Sub-Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government: Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of the American system of government, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism, and the historical development of the American Nation.

Commitment to the Rule of Law: Upholds the principles of the American Founding, including equality under the law and democratic self-government. Ensures the law is applied fairly and consistently.

Civic-Mindedness: Stays up-to-date on important developments in American government and aligns organizational objectives and practices with presidential and public interests.

Demonstrates a commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

Sub-Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility: Strategically manages, allocates and monitors financial resources. Aligns priorities and initiatives to justify budget proposals.

Monitors expenditures, cuts unnecessary costs, and uses cost-benefit analysis to set priorities.

Managing Resources: Manages resources efficiently and effectively based on current and projected organizational goals, skills, budget considerations, and staffing needs.

Leveraging Technology: Explores emerging technology and potential applications. Incorporates technology to enhance efficiency and achieve results. Ensures access to and security of technology systems.

ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

Sub-Competencies: Technical Skill: Possesses the requisite technical knowledge and subject matter expertise to consistently produce timely, high-quality work.

Is considered a strong contributor in his or her domain. Problem Solving: Engages in critical and data-driven thinking when diagnosing root causes and evaluating options.

Identifies and promptly addresses the most pressing, high-priority problems. Agility and Resilience: Anticipates and adapts to change, new ideas, new information, and new conditions.

Is committed to continuous improvement. Deals effectively with pressure and remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity.

ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.

This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

Sub-Competencies: Accountability: Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, trained, and retained.

Takes swift action to address performance- or conduct-based deficiencies in employees supervised. Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.

Developing Others: Recognizes and rewards outstanding achievement in others.

Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods.

Cultivates a dynamic environment in which employees are not afraid to make mistakes.

Executive Judgement: Makes well-reasoned, timely, and effective decisions and considers short- and long-term implications.

Communicates effectively with stakeholders across all organizational levels, sharing and guarding information where appropriate.

ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Sub-Competencies: Operational Mindset: Effectively translates strategies into actionable steps and processes.

Partners effectively with stakeholders to drive adoption and addresses blockers to ensure successful implementation.

Innovation: Applies creativity to improving products and processes, challenges convention, takes measured risks, and considers ways to simplify and remove unnecessary requirements.

Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization by evaluating conditions, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organizational goals and values.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

See "Required Documents" section for additional information. Major Duties:

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Oversees the OCDAO efforts to implement priority Secretary and Deputy Secretary initiatives, such as the Accelerating Data and AI initiative and establishing a Responsible AI ecosystem in the Department.

The incumbent is responsible for working with the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Chief Data Officers in the MILDEPs and the Combatant Commands on data, analytics, and AI adoptions efforts, including policy creation and implementation as well as investment decisions.

Monitors development and implementation of the Department's data, analytics, and artificial intelligence strategy.

Serves, when delegated by the CDAO, as the Department's primary external communicator for its data, analytics and artificial intelligence strategy, objectives, plans, and status.

Chairs, when delegated by the CDAO, the Department's principal governance body for data and artificial intelligence.

Ensures compliance by the DoW Components with the Department's data policy requiring that data is discoverable, accessible, and usable through secure, modernized systems and standards.

Ensures cooperative relationships with industry and the technology start-up ecosystem in order to leverage investment and deployment opportunities for critical digital technologies.

Monitors and evaluates the development of enterprise-wide data and artificial intelligence environments intended to accelerate and scale digital solutions.

Oversees implementation of the AI and Data Accelerator initiative that provides agile data, analytics, and artificial development capability to support high priority warfighter needs.

In coordination with the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness, oversees and contributes to development of policy and guidance to develop and maintain a completive digital workforce.

Engage industry to attract and strengthen private sector contributions to the advancement of CDAO objectives and strategy.

Collaborate with key allies and partners on best practices and technology development in the areas of data and AI.

Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

Browse Similar Jobs

Posted on USAJOBS: 2/24/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/25/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: SES-12890777-26-TAM