The United States Space Force (USSF) at Peterson SFB, Colorado Springs, CO is searching for an AI Implementation Engineer, to support HQ CFC S357/S35A (NH-1560-03, GS-12/13 Equivalent).
Description:
Are you a data scientist who wants to build combat capabilities, not just reports? The USSF's Combat Forces Command (CFC) is looking for an action-oriented Data Scientist to join our front-line team. You will work directly with space warfighters, find their hardest problems, and deliver the AI-driven solutions that solve them. This is not a back-office analytics job; you will work with our operators, deploy solutions at the speed of relevance and proving their effectiveness in the real world.
We are a small, elite team with a single purpose: free our Guardians to focus on the attack. We forge the AI-driven capabilities that give our Guardians a decisive overmatch. We are looking for practitioners who thrive on challenge and want to see their work make a real difference in national security.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical expert focused on delivering combat capability. They are a mission-driven, self-starting data scientist who thrives on solving complex operational problems with data and AI-enabled solutions. They must possess expert knowledge of data science and software engineering, demonstrated through a history of rapidly prototyping and fielding solutions for mission problems (AI/ML models and applications preferred). This is a role for a practitioner, not a theorist. This position directly drives our ability to maintain decision superiority.
Background: Experience and knowledge must demonstrate the ability to translate ambiguous warfighter needs into functional software. This includes advanced proficiency in Python and leading ML frameworks, coupled with expert skill in building and managing DevSecOps data pipelines. A deep understanding of how to rigorously test, validate, and verify AI systems in real operational environments is paramount. Candidates will advise command leadership on complex technical subjects, serving as a critical liaison to other DAF, DOW, and external acquisition partners on AI integration for space warfighting. Direct partnership with operators in tactical environments is a continuous expectation. Experience in the space domain is highly desired, but a proven record of shipping high-impact software solutions that deliver decisive overmatch is paramount.
Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Expert knowledge of Data Science and Machine Learning. The candidate must be able to articulate and defend their preferred methodologies for applying advanced statistical analysis and algorithm development to solve ambiguous, real-world operational problems. They must demonstrate a deep understanding of the trade-offs between different AI/ML approaches (e.g., deep learning vs. classical ML, supervised vs. unsupervised) and justify their choices based on mission requirements.
2. Expert skill in Mission-Focused Software Engineering. The candidate must describe their proven process for translating complex models into production-grade, maintainable, and deployable software applications. They must be prepared to discuss their philosophy on writing clean code, building robust systems, and validating that software is ready for a demanding military environment.
3. Skill in building and commanding a modern DevSecOps infrastructure. This requires demonstrated, hands-on experience designing and implementing automated data pipelines and full-stack CI/CD workflows in a cloud or hybrid-cloud context. The candidate must be a practitioner capable of building the entire "digital arsenal" from the ground up, including secure containerization and orchestration (Docker/Kubernetes).
4. Ability to execute under pressure at the tactical edge. The candidate must possess the skill to take a vaguely defined warfighter need, rapidly translate it into a minimum viable product (MVP), and then iteratively improve that product based on direct, and often blunt, operator feedback in high-stress, time-sensitive operational and exercise environments.
5. Ability to prove combat effectiveness through rigorous Test & Evaluation. The candidate must have skill in designing and implementing robust testing and validation plans for complex AI systems. This includes knowledge of operational testing, bias detection, fairness assessment, and explainability techniques required to build warfighter trust and formally verify a capability's lethality.
6. Ability to drive strategic decisions with technical clarity. The candidate must have the skill to distill highly technical information into concise, "plain English," mission-focused recommendations. They must be able to confidently advise General Officers and other senior leaders on the operational risks and opportunities presented by AI, directly influencing command-level strategy.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret / SCI security clearance.
Safeguards classified or sensitive budget-related information and/or files.
May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
Employee may be required to perform travel by military or commercial passenger aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments.
PCS / relocation funding is not authorized.
Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 45 days per year.
This position requires the incumbent to directly embed with operational military units. The candidate must possess the professionalism and interpersonal skills necessary to build rapport and operate effectively in a high-stress environments.
Qualifications
For the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the 1560 series please follow the link here. In addition to the IOR You must also meet the qualifications shown at the link here. Scroll down until you see Professional and Scientific Positions.
Additional information
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.
Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:
Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:
Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
Job title
Detailed duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
Hours per week
Salary, if applicable
Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:
Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
Job title
Detailed duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
Hours per week
Salary, if applicable
Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
