DEFCON AI
RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF DISRUPTION. DEFCON AI is an insights company that leverages artificial intelligence, mathematical optimization, data analytics, and software engineering for resilient optimization of complex systems.
In today’s dynamically changing world, DEFCON AI’s technology aligns outcomes with operational goals, better decision making, and empowers customers to anticipate assess, and mitigate the impacts of disruptions.
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Deputy Program Manager (TS/SCI Clearance Required)
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ABOUT DEFCON AI
RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF DISRUPTION. DEFCON AI is an insights company that leverages artificial intelligence, mathematical optimization, data analytics, and software engineering for resilient optimization of complex systems.
In today’s dynamically changing world, DEFCON AI’s technology aligns outcomes with operational goals, better decision making, and empowers customers to anticipate assess, and mitigate the impacts of disruptions.
About the Role
We are seeking a Deputy Program Manager to help lead execution of a large, software‑intensive, AI‑enabled DoD program transitioning from prototype into sustained operational use.
This role will primarily operate remotely from the Washington, DC area, with the willingness to attend frequent in‑person meetings with government and industry partners.
This role is for someone who:
- Lives inside execution, not just oversight
- Is comfortable managing programs built on AI‑foundational approaches (data‑driven systems, optimization engines, ML‑enabled decision support)
- Understands DoD software realities but leans forward in acquisition and delivery thinking
- Can step in as Acting Program Manager at any time without slowing momentum
You will partner closely with the Program Manager while owning the day‑to‑day execution heartbeat across engineering, LLM and AI/ML development, integration, cyber, cloud, and operational stakeholders.
This is not a traditional Deputy PM role. It is a hands‑on operator role in a fast‑moving, AI‑centric software environment.
Key Responsibilities
Drive Daily Execution of AI Enabled Software Programs
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Own day‑to‑day execution across multiple software and data‑centric workstreams
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Translate capability goals into executable plans aligned to incremental, learning‑driven delivery
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Track tasking, dependencies, delivery status, and issue resolution across engineering and AI teams
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Identify and remove blockers before they impact delivery, credibility, or user trust.
Lead Forward-Leaning Software Acquisition and Delivery
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Operate within DoD software acquisition pathways while actively pushing toward modern, software‑first outcomes.Apply pragmatic, outcome‑oriented acquisition thinking suited to fast‑evolving AI systems.Help shape delivery strategies that balance:
- Speed vs. rigor
- Experimentation vs. operational reliability
- Innovation vs. scalability
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Operate comfortably in Agile and Hybrid delivery environments supporting AI‑driven systems.
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Support sprint planning, release planning, backlog prioritization, and iterative capability drops.
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Ensure Agile practices enable learning, adaptation, and delivery — not process theater.
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Help teams manage the realities of AI development (model iteration, data dependency, evolving performance metrics).
- Partner effectively with engineers and data scientists
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Support programs built on optimization engines, analytics pipelines, AI/ML models, and data‑driven workflows.
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Understand that AI‑enabled systems:
- Improve over time
- Require iteration and feedback loops
- Demand different delivery and risk‑management approaches than static software
- Maintain full situational awareness across scope, schedule, risks, dependencies, and stakeholders.
- Step in for the Program Manager when needed to:
- Lead internal and external meetings
- Make time‑sensitive execution decisions
- Communicate clearly with senior government and industry leaders
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Proactively identify and manage program risks — including technical, data, integration, and delivery risks.
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Maintain and actively use RAID logs and decision records.
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Surface uncomfortable risks early, with practical mitigation options.
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Drive decisions rather than deferring them.
Required Qualifications
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7+ years managing or leading software‑intensive DoD programs.
- Experience as a PM or Deputy PM
- Active TS/SCI Security Clearance
- Currently reside in the Washington DC area & willing to attend frequent in-person meetings (30-40%)
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Demonstrated ownership of day‑to‑day program execution
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Hands‑on experience with Agile or Hybrid software delivery frameworks.
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Experience working on programs involving advanced analytics, AI/ML, optimization, or data‑driven systems.
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Experience delivering software that supports real operational users, exercises, or deployments.
- Strong bias toward execution, learning, and delivery.
- Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast‑evolving problem spaces.
- Able to make decisions with incomplete information.
- Able to influence without authority across highly technical teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience transitioning AI‑enabled or data‑centric systems from prototype to operational scale.
- Familiarity with DevSecOps, cloud‑native architectures, or secure data pipelines.
- Experience operating in high‑tempo, high‑visibility programs.
What Success Looks Like
- You quickly become the engine of daily execution.
- You earn trust as a credible stand‑in for the Program Manager.
- Delivery becomes clearer, faster, and more resilient.
- Teams move forward confidently in an AI‑driven environment.
- The program pushes boundaries — responsibly — without losing operational trust.
What We Offer:
- A fully remote, results-based environment
- Competitive salary, bonus, and equity package
- 100% employer paid, comprehensive health insurance including medical, dental, and vision for you and your family
- Unlimited PTO, with your manager’s approval
- Flexible work environment where you manage your work day
- 14 weeks of fully-paid parental leave
Salary Range: $175,000-215,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience, skills, and other factors.
- Managing and administering your application throughout the hiring process;
- Verifying the accuracy and authenticity of application materials, including by cross-referencing information you provide against publicly available sources and proprietary databases;
- Identifying indicators of potentially fraudulent, fabricated, or materially misleading application content, including but not limited to discrepancies between submitted materials and publicly available professional profiles, geographic anomalies, and fabricated work histories.
Ready to apply?
Apply to DEFCON AI
ABOUT DEFCON AI
RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF DISRUPTION. DEFCON AI is an insights company that leverages artificial intelligence, mathematical optimization, data analytics, and software engineering for resilient optimization of complex systems.
In today’s dynamically changing world, DEFCON AI’s technology aligns outcomes with operational goals, better decision making, and empowers customers to anticipate assess, and mitigate the impacts of disruptions.
About the Role
We are seeking a Master Scheduler to establish and own scheduling discipline across complex software programs that span commercial Agile development and government/defense contracts.
This role is responsible for building, maintaining, and evolving Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) that accurately reflect program scope, dependencies, vendor integrations, milestones, and contractual deliverables. You will serve as a key development partner and educator, helping teams understand how large, industry standard programs plan, measure progress, and communicate status in ways that government customers value.
This is not a project coordinator role. The position operates at the program level, emphasizing strategic planning and cross-functional alignment across engineering, delivery, and government execution.
Key Responsibilities
Integrated Master Scheduling (Primary Focus)
- Develop, maintain, and own Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) for complex software programs
- Translate program requirements, statements of work, and technical scope into executable schedules with clear dependencies and critical paths
- Maintain schedule realism across:
- Agile software development
- Multi‑vendor integrations
- Multi-sub-contractor integrations
- Government driven milestones and reviews
- Identify schedule risks, resource constraints, and dependency conflicts early and communicate them clearly to leadership
Agile + Defense Delivery Integration
- Bridge commercial Agile delivery practices with government program expectations
- Align sprint level execution with IMS level milestones and contractual deliverables
- Help teams understand how Agile artifacts (backlogs, increments, releases) map to:
- Government schedules
- Milestone reviews
- Earned value or progress reporting (as applicable)
Government Contracts & Deliverables
- Support defense contracts by mapping:
- Requirements
- Deliverables
- Reviews
- Artifacts
- Timelines into an integrated, traceable schedule
- Partner with program leadership to ensure schedules support compliance, audits, and customer reporting expectations
- Help teams anticipate what government customers look for in schedule credibility and execution discipline
Vendor & Cross Program Integration
- Integrate schedules across:
- Internal development teams
- External vendors and subcontractors
- Customer provided dependencies
- Ensure handoffs, dependencies, and integration points are explicitly captured and tracked
- Act as the single source of truth for program timelines
Tools, Standards & Enablement
- Own or help select the IMS tooling strategy (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or equivalent)
- Establish scheduling standards, conventions, and best practices
- Educate teams on:
- How large programs use IMS tools
- Why certain structures and artifacts matter
- How to use schedules to make decisions (not just report status)
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in program scheduling, program planning, or large‑scale project delivery
- Demonstrated experience building and maintaining Integrated Master Schedules for complex programs
- Strong background supporting large commercial Agile software development efforts
- Experience working with:
- Multiple vendors
- Cross‑functional engineering teams
- Complex dependency networks
- Experience supporting government or defense contracts, including understanding of deliverables, milestones, and reporting expectations
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands‑on experience with Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or similar IMS platforms, and associated ecosystems
- Experience supporting DoD or federal acquisition programs
- Familiarity with:
- Requirements traceability
- Milestone driven delivery models
- Government reviews and reporting artifacts
- Active or prior DoD security clearance
- Experience educating or coaching teams on program planning best practices
What Success Looks Like
- Program schedules are realistic, integrated, and trusted by leadership
- Engineering teams understand how their work maps to contractual milestones
- Schedule risks are surfaced early, not discovered at the last minute
- Leadership and customers can clearly see progress, dependencies, and impacts
- The organization builds durable scheduling discipline that scales with program size
Why This Role Is Unique
- You will shape how the company plans and executes programs, not just manage dates
- You’ll bridge the gap between modern Agile delivery and government execution expectations
- You’ll serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, engineers, and customers
- This role has real influence over how work gets done
What We Offer:
- A fully remote, results-based environment
- Competitive salary, bonus, and equity package
- 100% employer paid, comprehensive health insurance including medical, dental, and vision for you and your family
- Unlimited PTO, with your manager’s approval
- Flexible work environment where you manage your work day
- 14 weeks of fully-paid parental leave
Salary Range: $100,000-$150,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience, skills, and other factors.
- Managing and administering your application throughout the hiring process;
- Verifying the accuracy and authenticity of application materials, including by cross-referencing information you provide against publicly available sources and proprietary databases;
- Identifying indicators of potentially fraudulent, fabricated, or materially misleading application content, including but not limited to discrepancies between submitted materials and publicly available professional profiles, geographic anomalies, and fabricated work histories.
Ready to apply?
Apply to DEFCON AI