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Director of Technology Data and Artificial Intelligence

Department of the Air Force
Department of the Air Force Headquarters
Headquarters Air Force (AF/A6)

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information.

The primary purpose of this position is to serves as the senior technical expert and authority for Headquarters Air Force on the architecture, integration, and application of data, artificial intelligence, and advanced communications and ISR-enabling systems.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$151,661 - $209,600 per year
Pay scale & grade
IP 00
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
MRL2026-654204
Control number
892243900

Duties

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The Director, Technology, Data & Artificial Intelligence serves as the senior technical expert and authority for Headquarters Air Force on the architecture, integration, and application of data, artificial intelligence, and advanced communications and ISR-enabling systems. The incumbent drives the technical vision, engineering strategy, and modernization of Air Force digital and communications infrastructure from the enterprise to the tactical edge. The position develops and evaluates resilient, interoperable architectures that integrate warfighter communications systems, satellite constellations, ISR platforms, tactical networks, cyber capabilities, and enterprise data services. The incumbent maintains awareness of emerging technologies and assesses their applicability to Air Force capability gaps, operational requirements, and future modernization priorities. The Director provides authoritative technical advice and recommendations to senior Air Force, DoW, Joint, Intelligence Community, industry, academic, and partner-nation stakeholders. The incumbent leads and integrates multiple complex technical efforts, resolves cross-functional issues, and communicates complex technical concepts and decisions to senior technical and nontechnical leaders.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. citizenship is required
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • Position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Position requires the incumbent sign a Drug Testing letter and pass urinalysis testing prior to appointment.
  • Must have or be able to obtain a TOP SECRET/SCI Security clearance
  • Must file an Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report
  • PROBATIONARY PERIOD. An individual's initial DISL career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a 1-year probationary period.
  • Active Duty Military Members must indicate retirement eligibility.
  • Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be offered.
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • EXECUTIVE PERSONNEL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT (Standard Form 278). Selected candidate must file this report in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
  • Veterans' preference is applicable to Air Force Defense Intelligence Senior Level (DISL) positions.
  • Within the Department of War (DoW), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.

Qualifications

Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has training, education and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates must exemplify the corporate perspective, leadership vision, broad experience and character needed in the SES corps not only to satisfy the immediate vacancy, but future vacancies which will occur in a variety of organizations, functions and locations.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Director, Technology, Data and Artificial Intelligence Core Qualifications 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. 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.

A. DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY DATA AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CORE QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Contributions: Achievements that impacted the organization's mission and contributed to knowledge advancements in the fields of:
    • Digital Engineering and Enterprise IT Architecture: Defining and implementing large-scale, resilient, and interoperable digital infrastructures.
    • Data Science and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML): Architecting and deploying data-centric solutions and AI/ML applications that fuse disparate data sources (e.g., communications, cyber, ISR) to enable real-time, tactical decision-making in contested environments.
    • Advanced Communications and Networking: Developing and integrating next-generation tactical and satellite communication (SATCOM) systems, resilient networking protocols, and tactical data links to ensure connectivity from the enterprise to the tactical edge.
  • Leadership: Recognized leader in the application of:
    • Converged Technical Architecture: As evidenced by personal impact on translating top-level strategic guidance into executable technical blueprints that bridge the gap between enterprise-level services and tactical warfighter requirements.
    • Technology Prototyping and Integration: As evidenced by leading efforts to identify, prototype, and implement emerging technologies that demonstrably enhance the DAF's technical capabilities and solve complex integration challenges.
    • Authoritative Technical Assessment: As evidenced by guiding significant Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) investments and defending complex architectural decisions before senior DAF, Joint, and DoD leadership.
  • Professional Stature: Recognized standing as indicated by memberships and activity in professional organizations and/or within the larger DoD/Industry professional community. This includes citations, honors, awards, patents, and publications and other forms of recognition, such as requests for professional consultation, which indicate acceptance by peer group as an authoritative source in the field.

B. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQ): Applicants must ensure their resume describes how they meet the TQs and must provide specific examples that address relevant experience and accomplishments. Applicants should focus on recent experience, education, and training, as some Recruitment Panel members may consider experience that's over 10 years old to be outdated. Applicants must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated through leadership and management in the following:

TQ1: Enterprise Architecture and Systems Integration: Expert knowledge/ experience integrating and operating enterprise IT and communications systems that connect enterprise services to the tactical edge, using SATCOM, tactical data links, resilient networking, Zero Trust architecture, cloud, and DevSecOps to deliver secure, interoperable warfighter capabilities.

TQ2: Data, AI, and Strategic Technical Leadership: Demonstrated expertise in data architecture, data modeling, and artificial intelligence/machine learning applications across communications, cyber, and ISR data; ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams and provide authoritative technical advice to senior leaders.

TQ3: Technical Governance, Cryptographic Standards, and Strategic Investment Advisory: Demonstrated experience establishing enterprise-wide technical blueprints, enforcing cryptographic and technical standards across a federated architecture, and providing authoritative technical assessments to guide Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) investments in advanced technologies (e.g., Data, AI, SATCOM, and tactical networks).

C. JOINT DUTY ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENT: Joint Intelligence Community (IC) Duty certification is a prerequisite for appointment to senior executive, senior professional, and DCIPS positions classified above GG grade 15.

NOTE: Applicants without Joint Duty Credit are still highly encouraged to apply for the position and this requirement can be waived. Candidates for this position will be reviewed for receipt of joint duty credit. You must provide evidence of having obtained joint duty credit by submitting a previously approved Joint Duty Claim Form(s) or by requesting approval of a joint duty claim by submitting the Joint Duty Claim Form with supporting documentation. Your claim will be reviewed, approved/disapproved and returned to you. Information, including forms and instructions on joint duty can be found on the JDA website by clicking the link below. JDA Website and from: https://www.dni.gov/index.php/careers/joint-duty.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:
  • Possesses a record of successfully developing and implementing enterprise-level technology architectures or modernization strategies that improve interoperability, resilience, and warfighter effectiveness across communications, cyber, and data domains.
  • Demonstrates exceptional executive communication, negotiation, and consensus-building skills, with experience briefing, advising, and defending technical positions before senior military, civilian, Joint, interagency, industry, or international leaders.
  • Demonstrates mature professional judgment and the ability to independently represent the Department of the Air Force in high-level discussions and negotiations involving complex technology, data, AI, communications, and cyber matters.

Education

Education: A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is desired. A master's or advanced degree from an accredited institution is highly desired. An undergraduate technical degree or an advanced degree in either a technical or management field is highly desired.

Additional information

The following conditions of employment apply: This position is covered by the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) and as such will subject the incumbent to those examinations and/or tests that are necessary to obtain and retain a security clearance and any special accesses required by the position in accordance with AFI 36-1101 and under authorities of Section 1601, Chapter 83 of Title 10, United States Code and DoD Instruction 1400.25-V2007. Failure to comply with any of the special requirements, when required, will subject the incumbent of this position to reassignment or disciplinary adverse actions, including demotions or removal.

A Joint Duty Assignment (JDA) Program certification is desired Joint duty credit is awarded by serving at least 12 months in an Intelligence Community (IC) agency, an organization outside the IC, or joint organization at the pay grade or rank of at least GG/GS-13 beginning after 11 September 2001. In addition, individuals deployed for 179 days or more to a designated combat zone will satisfy the 12-month minimum requirement [or 179-day deployment] so long as that minimum requirement is met within a 24-month period. Relevant military, professional, technical, managerial, and/or leadership experience outside the IC may qualify as the equivalent of a JDA. In addition, a waiver for the Joint Duty Credit may be considered if there are no highly qualified alternative candidates with JDA Program certification.

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.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

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.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applications will be evaluated against the foregoing qualification requirements. Failure to meet any one of the mandatory technical qualification standards will eliminate a candidate from further consideration. A screening panel will evaluate the candidates for this position composed of senior executives selected for organizational and/or functional backgrounds relevant to this position. The panel members will individually review each of the applications in terms of the qualifications criteria contained in this announcement. The qualifications stated are the minimum requirements of the position to be Qualified, a rating schedule will be applied by a screening panel to determine which candidates are considered to be Best Qualified. Then, they will meet to discuss each application, and reach a consensus decision as to the best qualified, qualified or not qualified candidates. The panel will interview all of the best-qualified candidates based upon consistently applied criteria. The panel will then make a recommendation of those best-qualified candidates who should be referred to the selecting official, in priority order. Final selection of a candidate is contingent upon USecAF approval.

Department of the Air Force Headquarters

The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win...airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Reach and Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

SALARY: $151,661.00 - $209,600.00 per annum. (Air Force Tier 1) Defense Intelligence Senior Level (DISL) members are eligible for performance-based salary increases and/or bonuses.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Applications will be accepted from current and former, career or career-conditional, permanent competitive service employees and Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) eligible. Consideration will be extended without discrimination for any non-merit reason such as race, color, religion, gender, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, age, membership or non-membership in any employee organization, or disability.

Agency contact information

Air Force Senior Executive Management Office
Email
SAF.MRL.CSEApplicantInquiry@us.af.mil
Address
AF Senior Executive Management
1040 Air Force Pentagon Room 4D
Washington, DC 20330
US

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