Chief Technology Officer – Autonomy Initiatives Location: San Diego, CA preferred; other locations will be considered
Position: AD-0854-00
Duration: Term appointment not to exceed 4 years, 2-year minimum commitment
Salary: $160,950 - $204,000 per year, opportunity for 25% incentive bonuses in years 1 & 2, and relocation pay
Application Deadline: November 10, 2024
Organization Overview: The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is a pivotal Department of Defense (DoD) initiative dedicated to accelerating the adoption of commercial technologies to enhance military capabilities and bolster national security. Positioned at the intersection of the defense sector and Silicon Valley's innovation hub, DIU is committed to fostering rapid prototyping and scaling of advanced technologies to meet national defense needs.
Position Overview: The position will support the development and deployment of robust, scalable, and interoperable autonomous systems that enhance the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) capability to deter and win in potential conflicts with peer adversaries. The incumbent will provide strategic direction and lead technical execution to define system architectures, source best-of-breed solutions from the commercial sector, and ensure the effective integration of complex hardware and software solutions across key autonomy programs and initiatives, including the Replicator initiative. The incumbent will collaborate with senior military and civilian leaders across Military Departments, Combatant Commands, and other DoD key stakeholders, as well as commercial partners, to facilitate cross-Service and cross-domain integrated solutions.
This position may be based out of our Mountain View, CA or Pentagon, Arlington, VA office. Duties are performed under the supervision of the Autonomy Portfolio Director and with guidance from the Replicator Director. Based on the incumbent's exceptional technical ability and seasoned judgment, minimal supervision and considerable latitude for exercising individual initiative, independent judgment, and wide decision-making authority is expected for this position. The incumbent will also collaborate closely with the Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Portfolio Director.
The incumbent will represent DIU and the Autonomy and Replicator teams in meetings with Combatant Commands and cross-Service initiatives.
Key Responsibilities: Define and articulate the capabilities and performance requirements of key autonomy initiatives, including Replicator, ensuring these align with operational needs and leverage the most cutting-edge technological innovation.Lead the architectural design and technical strategy for the integration of autonomous systems across domains, Services, and operational environments, through resilient command and control and collaborative autonomy solutions.Work across Military Departments, Combatant Commands, and other stakeholders to ensure technical alignment across autonomous systems and programs, including Replicator, to maintain interoperability and maximize operational value.Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to develop and execute collaborative autonomy architectures.Work with the Technical Design Authority and Subject Matter Experts to evaluate architectural options, analyze engineering trade-offs, and make informed recommendations to achieve program objectives.Oversee the development and execution of rigorous testing and evaluation processes to drive integration of autonomous systems; ensure that testing frameworks and methodologies effectively validate system performance and readiness.Engage with and inspire cross-Service collaboration, particularly at the 3-star level and above, to foster a unified approach to system integration and deployment.Directly interface with Combatant Commands to refine and align autonomy capabilities and performance with operational concepts and strategic objectives.Facilitate the transition and fielding of cross-domain, cross-Service autonomy capabilities to Military Departments and other key stakeholders, ensuring effective deployment and operational integration.Oversee the planning and execution of deployment strategies to achieve seamless integration into the broader defense infrastructure.Educate senior leaders and stakeholders on the realistic capabilities, operational benefits, and costs associated with production robotic systems.Develop and deliver presentations, briefings, and reports to communicate technical insights and strategic recommendations effectively. Qualifications: Possess a graduate degree in a technical field relevant to robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence or relevant commiserate experience.Must have excellent communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively represent the organization to other entities across and outside of the Department.Ideally have experience leading the design, development, and fielding of robotic systems in production environments.Have shown the ability to generate alignment between disparate high-performing teams with misaligned incentives.Have experience with contested communications and/or collaborative autonomy.Have experience with hardware and software verification, testing, and validation.Have demonstrated the ability to present and compel at a 3+-Star (or government or commercial equivalent) level. Conditions of Employment: U.S. Citizenship required.Completion of a background investigation and ability to maintain a Top Secret security clearance (TS SCI) required.Mandatory OGE 450 Financial Filer.Potential for non-standard work hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.Periodic travel to DIU's headquarters, the Pentagon, test/exercise sites, and other relevant locations. Travel may be required up to 25%.Selective Service registration required for males born after 12-31-59.Designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the civilian drug-testing program.Position is eligible for situational telework, as determined by agency policy. Application Process: Interested candidates should submit their resume, a cover letter detailing their relevant experience, and contact information for three professional references.
DIU is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
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