[Hiring] Technical Director, AI Decision Systems @Red Cell Partners

Role Description

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. This is a zero-to-one leadership role for a proven technical practitioner ready to broaden their scope.

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Requirements

• In scope: US Secret clearance.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% to customer sites, DEFCON AI HQ, and vendor facilities as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

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: $220,000-$260,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience, skills, and other factors.