[Hiring] Technical Director, AI Decision Systems @DEFCON AI

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

Requirements

• 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.

Benefits

• 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.

Company Description

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.