Job Description

CDAO - Enterprise - Generative AI Program Manager, Cybersecurity

Application Deadline: 27 May 2026

Department: Enterprise - Frontier AI

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Arlington, VA

Job Title: Program Manager, Generative AI CybersecurityJOA: CDAO-2026-000107
Pay Scale: $139,395-$191,900
Open Date: 20 May 2026
Close Date: 27 May 2026
The Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) mission is to accelerate the adoption of data, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) across the Department of Defense (DoD). The CDAO works across the Military Departments and Services, Joint Staff, Combatant Commands (CCMDs), Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), and other DoD Components to design, develop, field, and scale technologies, capabilities, strategies, policies, and other guidance related to data, analytics, and AI in support of DoD'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 DoD. Rapid and scalable adoption of AI is a critical capability for DoD 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 DoD’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 Cybersecurity, you will lead a critical mission to safeguard the DoD's AI-enabled capabilities. You will be responsible for establishing and managing programs focused on the security of generative AI models, the AI/ML pipeline, and leveraging generative AI for advanced cyber defense.
In this senior advisory role, you will foster collaboration across the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Intelligence Community (IC). Your focus will be on enhancing the application of AI for cybersecurity, running red-teaming exercises against our own AI systems, and developing countermeasures to adversarial AI tactics. Your work will directly contribute to expediting the development, testing, and operational deployment of secure and resilient AI and data science capabilities for the DoD.
This position is covered by the Department of Defense (DoD) 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 May 27th, 2025.

What you'll do here:

• Lead the acquisition, development, and secure implementation of generative AI technologies to defend critical DoD networks and systems.
• Manage the budget, planning, and execution of a large-scale software development program focused on creating AI-driven cybersecurity tools and platforms.
• Provide subject matter expertise on the secure application of generative AI, including vulnerability analysis, AI-powered threat intelligence, and automated incident response.
• Advise DoD partners on the application of policy and best practices for AI assurance, model security, and the development of countermeasures against adversarial AI.
• Work with a diverse, cross-functional team of cybersecurity experts, AI researchers, software developers, and operational end-users to deliver capabilities that directly support DoD cyber missions.
  
  

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 is being recruited under 10 USC 1599f into the Cyber Excepted Service and does NOT convey eligibility to be converted to the Competitive Service.
• For more information on the Cyber Excepted Service Personnel System, click here https://public.cyber.mil/cw/dod-cyber-excepted-service-ces/
• This position requires a Top Secret/ Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance.
• Because this position is in the Cyber Excepted Service, Veterans' Preference will be applied to preference-eligible candidates, as defined by Section 2108 of the Title 5 U.S.C. in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction
• 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