CDAO - Directorate of Scaled Capabilities - IT Project Manager
Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office
Posted 9 days ago
About this role
CDAO - Directorate of Scaled Capabilities - IT Project Manager
Application Deadline: 27 January 2026
Department: Directorate of Scaled Capabilities
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Arlington, VA
Description
Job Title: IT Project ManagerJOA: CDAO-2026-000101
Pay Scale: $143,913 to $187,093
Open Date: 23 January 2026
Close Date: 27 January 2026
About the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office
The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) operates within the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)) and serves as the Department of Defense’s focal point for accelerating the responsible adoption and scaling of data, analytics, and artificial intelligence to deliver decision advantage at speed and scale.
CDAO integrates the capabilities and missions of the former Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), Defense Digital Service (DDS), and Chief Data Office (CDO), along with enterprise platforms such as Advana, into a unified organization aligned to DoD research, engineering, and operational priorities. Through close collaboration with the Military Departments, Services, Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, OSD, and other DoD Components, CDAO enables the rapid delivery, transition, and scaling of digital and AI-enabled capabilities that strengthen warfighting effectiveness and enterprise decision-making.
The IT Project Manager serves as a critical delivery and governance lead supporting mission-critical digital platforms within the CDAO’s Directorate for Scaled Capabilities, including the Advana ecosystem. This role is responsible for overseeing complex IT and cybersecurity-related initiatives, ensuring system changes are executed in accordance with DoD technical standards while safeguarding confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) across enterprise data environments.
The incumbent partners closely with cybersecurity, engineering, acquisition, and mission stakeholders to drive secure system delivery, manage contractor performance, and support senior decision-makers responsible for system authorization and risk acceptance.
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. This position sits in Arlington, VA. The pay grade for this role is GG-2210-14.
This role will close for submissions on January 27th, 2026 at 11:59:59pm.
What you'll do here:
- Ensure all system changes and technology enhancements meet established technical standards and fully adhere to the CIA triad, strengthening the overall security posture of the Advana ecosystem and supporting enterprise-level risk management objectives.
- Provide technical direction to, and formally review, accept, or reject contractor-supported deliverables, including but not limited to:
- Risk assessments and security documentation
- Cybersecurity policies, procedures, and updates
- Incident management and response processes
- Vulnerability management activities and reporting
- Cybersecurity tools and automation technologies
- Zero Trust Architecture milestones and implementation artifacts
- Briefings, documentation, and decision packages prepared for the Authorizing Official (AO) or Authorizing Official Designated Representative (AODR)
- Participate in senior-level discussions and decision-making related to courses of action that enhance system security, data integrity, and the collection, distribution, and management of enterprise data across mission systems.
- Collaborate across technical, cybersecurity, and mission teams to shape the overall direction and execution of cybersecurity posture, system authorizations, cloud or platform migrations, system modifications, and the adoption of automated services and technologies.
- Serve as a key integrator between government leads, contractors, cybersecurity professionals, and platform owners to ensure alignment across schedules, risk tolerance, compliance requirements, and mission outcomes.
Qualifications
Required:- Experience managing complex IT projects in a DoD, federal, or large-scale enterprise environment
- Working knowledge of cybersecurity principles, including the CIA triad, risk management, and system authorization processes
- Demonstrated ability to manage contractor performance and evaluate technical deliverables
- Experience supporting or interfacing with Authorizing Officials (AO/AODR) or equivalent senior decision authorities
- Familiarity with Zero Trust Architecture implementation
- Experience supporting enterprise data platforms, analytics ecosystems, or cloud-based systems
- Knowledge of DoD cybersecurity and risk management frameworks (e.g., RMF)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level briefings
Requirements
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 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.