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 a 25% incentive for year 1

Application Deadline:November 15, 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. As part of its mission, DIU aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology companies and DoD requirements, transforming operational concepts and improving efficiency.

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 role is essential for maintaining operational superiority, advancing autonomous system capabilities, and ensuring the readiness and effectiveness of defense technologies in a rapidly evolving strategic landscape.

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 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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Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)

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Chief Technology Officer, Autonomy Initiatives