CDAO - Branch Chief, Infrastructure & Platforms

Cdao - Branch Chief, Infrastructure & Platforms

• Application Deadline: 4 September 2025
• Department: Enterprise Platforms & Services
• Employment Type: Full Time
• Location: Washington DC

Description

Job Title: Branch Chief, Infrastructure & PlatformsJOA: CDAO-2025-000205
 Pay Scale: $167,603 -$195,200
 Location: Washington DC-Baltimore Area
 Type: Full-time
 Open Date: 28 August 2025
 Close Date: 4 September 2025
  About the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office
 The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) is a Principal Staff Assistant (PSA) responsible for the acceleration of the adoption of data, analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate decision advantage across the Department of Defense (DoD). The CDAO enables the Military Departments and Services, Joint Staff, Combatant Commands (CCMDs), Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), and other DoD Components, to swiftly introduce new capabilities and effectively experiment with new operational concepts in support of DoD's warfighting missions.
  The Directorate of Scaled Capabilities is responsible for delivering enterprise-wide digital and AI solutions at scale, ensuring the DoD can adopt, sustain, and evolve capabilities that directly support mission outcomes. This includes managing the development, deployment, and lifecycle of scalable platforms, services, and tools that enable warfighters and decision makers to leverage data and AI in real-time operations. The directorate drives enterprise adoption through standardized architectures, performance frameworks, and integration with existing DoD infrastructure, while also ensuring compliance with cybersecurity, acquisition, and interoperability requirements. By balancing rapid innovation with repeatable, scalable solutions, the Directorate of Scaled Capabilities enables the Department to move beyond pilots and prototypes toward enduring mission impact.
  The Branch Chief for Infrastructure and Platforms leads the Infrastructure Branch within the Directorate of Scaled Capabilities, managing large-scale projects that advance enterprise cloud and infrastructure modernization across the Department. The incumbent applies expertise in cloud engineering, architecture, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), configuration automation, risk management, and program management to develop innovative concepts, standards, and solutions. They align strategies with mission requirements, drive optimization of pipelines and workflows, and collaborate across Directorates and with stakeholders to integrate emerging technologies. The Branch Chief also supervises branch staff responsible for the deployment, integration, and sustainment of CDAO platforms, services, and applications critical to mission success. This position is a DoD Cyber Excepted Service (CES) personnel system position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1599f and does not convey eligibility to be converted to the Competitive Service. The selected candidate for this position is required to sit onsite in Washington, DC. The pay grade for this position is GG-1550-15. This position is ONLY open for federal civilians currently employed within the CDAO. Candidates interested in this role must be willing to provide transcripts prior to an offer. Please read below on education requirement details.
 
 This role will close for submissions at 11:59pm on September 4th, 2025.

Qualifying Experience:

Mastery of and skill in applying, advanced theories, concepts, and principles practiced in the science of computing related to assignments sufficient to provide expert advice to senior colleagues and Agency officials responsible for broad program operations; apply experimental theories and/or new applications or developments to execute significant projects representing an important segment of the Agency's operating programs; resolve unique or novel problems, conditions, or issues; significantly alter standard practices, processes and known techniques; extend or modify theories, concepts, and assumptions; and provide significant and innovative recommendations for advancingprograms and/or methods.

What You'Ll Do Here:

• The incumbent serves as the Infrastructure Branch Chief that manages, directs, and leads the Directorate of Scaled Capabilities Infrastructure efforts to develop new and improved concepts, principles, and techniques.
• The incumbent manages a large scale/scope of a project/program while applying knowledge and tools such as but not limited to Cloud Engineering, Cloud Architecture, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Configuration as Code, Risk Management, Project/Program Management, and Trade-off Analysis/Trade Studies.
• The incumbent aligns plans with the project or system requirements specifications, and goals, also works with the stakeholders to approve and review progress regularly. Identifies and implements opportunities and recommends advice for improvement and optimization, such as adopting best practices, standards, or guidelines, updating or upgrading pipelines, factories, implementation workflows, and development processes.
• Collaborates with other Directorates, Divisions, and Branches on integrating emerging technologies using industry best practices. Consults with customers to meet the needs, business processes, and functional/non-functional requirements.
• Supervises the Infrastructures Branch staff responsible for deployment, integration, implementation, operation, and maintenance of CDAO services and applications.

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)
• A three-year probationary 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.

 Education Requirements

Computer Scientist (GG-1550): Bachelor's degree in computer science bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

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