"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.
DEFCON AI is seeking a Technical Director AI Decision Systems to lead the cross-functional team delivering a new AI-enabled decision-support capability for the federal government. The team spans product and design software engineering data architecture applied analytics AI solutioning DevSecOps cybersecurity quality engineering and technical transition. This is a zero-to-one leadership role for a proven technical practitioner ready to broaden their scope. You may come from engineering data AI product design platform or another technical discipline. We do not expect you to be the deepest expert in every vertical. We do expect you to recognize excellent work ask hard questions create clarity across disciplines and hold the system together. You will turn mission needs product direction technical constraints and delivery commitments into one coherent execution plan. You will establish technical priorities resolve seams between teams build an effective operating rhythm and ensure that separate workstreams converge into a secure explainable and operational capability. The right person is entrepreneurial resourceful and energized by the first mile. You enjoy incomplete information emerging workflows consequential decisions and the opportunity to build both the system and the team delivering it. You move quickly but you know when speed must be reinforced by testing documentation security and repeatable delivery. This is remote-first with occasional travel (up to 25% at times) to DEFCON AI HQ customer sites and vendor facilities as required.
Lead the cross-functional delivery team spanning product design engineering data AI analytics DevSecOps cybersecurity and quality. Own technical strategy architecture execution and delivery from discovery through operational deployment. Translate mission needs and product priorities into clear technical plans release objectives and engineering decisions. Align software data AI infrastructure security and quality into one integrated system. Build mentor and scale a high-performing technical organization. Make architecture integration tooling and delivery decisions that balance speed security quality and maintainability. Identify and resolve technical risks dependencies and ambiguity before they impact delivery. Partner effectively with customers product leadership and external stakeholders. Remain technically hands-on enough to challenge assumptions review designs and solve hard problems. Significant accomplishment in software engineering AI/ML data systems analytics DevSecOps cybersecurity product technology or a comparable technical discipline. Experience leading complex technical efforts across multiple teams and specialties. Demonstrated ability to turn ambiguity into working systems and measurable outcomes. Strong systems thinking communication skills and leadership judgment. Experience delivering cloud-native software from concept through deployment and operations. US Citizenship Required. In scope US Secret clearance. Elevated security requirements apply to portions of this work and are discussed during the interview process. Willingness to travel up to 25% to customer sites DEFCON AI HQ and vendor facilities as required.
Clearance Active Top Secret. Experience leading a zero-to-one product platform or mission capability. Experience delivering technology in defense intelligence federal or similarly regulated environments. Experience with AWS GovCloud DevSecOps CI/CD infrastructure as code and secure cloud delivery. Experience supporting RMF ATO accreditation or comparable security processes. Experience with AI/ML large language models analytics graph technologies or data-intensive systems. Experience building human-in-the-loop decision-support systems and explainable AI capabilities. Experience partnering closely with product and design teams to deliver user-centered software. Experience hiring mentoring and organizing technical teams during rapid growth. Experience integrating third-party partner or subcontractor-delivered capabilities into a unified solution. A Note to Candidates You do not need to have held this exact title before to be a strong candidate. We encourage accomplished practitioners from software engineering data AI analytics product technology DevSecOps cybersecurity design or quality engineering who are ready to lead across disciplines and grow a team around an important mission. A thoughtful cover letter will materially strengthen your application. Tell us what you have built where your technical depth comes from why you are ready to lead beyond your primary discipline and how you approach a zero-to-one effort where the team architecture and operating model are all taking shape. Applications without a cover letter will still receive consideration but the letter is the best opportunity to show us the judgment motivation and leadership potential that a résumé alone may not capture.
One team one architecture one release objective. Fast decisions visible risks and disciplined execution. Integrated secure and operational releases delivered with confidence. Product vision translated into real capability without losing user intent. Technical leaders who grow stronger and more autonomous over time. A system the customer can trust operate and sustain.
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 $220000-$260000. This represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience skills and other factors. We're an Equal Opportunity Employer You'll receive consideration for employment without regard to race sex color religion sexual orientation gender identity national origin protected veteran status or on the basis of disability. Applicant Data Disclosure By submitting an application you acknowledge that Defcon AI uses third-party service providers to facilitate its recruitment and hiring processes. These providers include applicant tracking systems candidate verification platforms and fraud detection tools (collectively ""Hiring Platforms""). Your application materials including your résumé cover letter work samples responses to application questions and any other information you submit may be transmitted to and processed by these Hiring Platforms for the following purposes 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. Applications that are flagged through this process as containing indicators of fraud or material misrepresentation may be declined from further consideration. If you have questions about the status of your application or the evaluation process please contact recruiting@defconai.com. Defcon AI requires its Hiring Platform providers to process your information solely for the purposes described above and in accordance with applicable law. Your information will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill these purposes and any applicable legal obligations after which it will be deleted in accordance with Defcon AI's data retention policies. For more information about how your data is used please refer to our Privacy Policy and Applicant
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