CDAO - Enterprise - Generative AI Program Manager, Acquisition

Description Job Title: Generative AI Program Manager, Acquisition JOA: CDAO-2026-000105 Pay Scale: $139,395-$191,900 Open Date: 20 May 2026 Close Date: 3 June 2026 About the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office The Chief Digital 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 War (OSW), 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. As the Program Manager for Generative AI Acquisition, you will be at the nexus of technology and procurement, leading the charge to bring the most advanced generative AI capabilities into the DoW. You will be responsible for the entire acquisition lifecycle, from market research and requirements definition to contract negotiation and vendor management. You will serve as a senior advisor, shaping the DoW's strategy for acquiring generative AI, data science, and autonomy programs. Your expertise will be crucial in navigating the federal acquisition landscape to form partnerships with leading AI labs and technology providers. You will facilitate collaboration across the DoW and the Intelligence Community (IC) to ensure the technologies we acquire are secure, effective, and aligned with mission needs, ultimately accelerating their path to operational deployment. 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-0800/1500-04, which is equivalent to the GS-14/15 grade level. This position does have an education requirement – details can be found here. This role will close for submissions at 11:59pm on June 3rd, 2025. What you'll do here: • Lead the acquisition and development of software technologies to pilot, experiment, and deploy Frontier AI into critical DoW workflows. • Manage, budget, plan, and execute a large software development program involving multiple industry software development teams. • Provide subject matter expertise to inform best practices, guidance, and direction on DoW applications of generative and traditional AI technologies. • Lead the strategic sourcing and acquisition of frontier and generative AI technologies to support critical DoW workflows and missions. • Work across a diverse and cross-functional team of technical experts, operational end-users, software developers, and DoW partners to deliver capability that directly supports DoW missions. • Work across a diverse team of technical experts, legal counsel, contracting officers, and operational end-users to successfully acquire and transition cutting-edge AI capability to the warfighter. 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/OSD Priority Placement Program (please see details below) • Applicants for employment are covered by federal laws and Presidential Executive Orders designed to safeguard federal employees and job applicants from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors • 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 About Under Secretary of War for Research & Engineering The Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)) serves as the Department of War's (DoW) technology hub, ensuring the US military's technological superiority. The primary mission of the OUSW(R&E) is to advance military technology and innovation by