USSF Data & AI Officer, S6D

USSF Data & AI Officer, S6D

Department: Department of the Air Force

Location(s): Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia

Salary Range: $143913 - $197200 Per Year

Job Summary: Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here. For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Major Duties:

• The United States Space Force (USSF) Headquarters Space Force Command (HQSF) at The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia is searching for a USSF Data & AI Officer (NH-1560-04, GS 14/15 equivalent). Description: We are seeking a dynamic USSF Data and AI Officer to join the U.S. Space Force team and play a critical role in the planning, governance, and implementation of cutting-edge enterprise data and AI capabilities that support mission outcomes. In this position, you will work closely with cross-functional teams-including cyber/IT, engineers, developers, intelligence, and operational stakeholders-to gather requirements, shape enterprise architecture, and ensure the seamless integration of data and AI solutions. With your expertise in data system design, analytics, and AI/ML, you will evaluate existing approaches, identify enterprise-wide risks, and drive standards-based solutions that improve interoperability and decision advantage across the Service. You will also lead governance forums, align priorities across organizations, and establish clear guardrails and disciplined waiver processes to prevent fragmented or duplicative implementations. The ideal candidate is a proven leader with at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience across data, IT, and AI domains, underpinned by a bachelor's degree (master's preferred) in a relevant technical field like Computer Science or Engineering. This individual will possess a strong technical foundation, including at least four years of hands-on experience in software engineering, database design, and analytics, with proficiency in Python and SQL sufficient to guide technical direction. Crucially, they will have transitioned this technical expertise into a strategic role, with at least three years of experience leading teams or enterprise initiatives and a demonstrated ability to operate within complex governance environments. We are seeking a collaborative leader with executive-level communication skills, capable of translating complex technical risks into clear recommendations for senior leaders, developing enterprise data/AI strategy with measurable outcomes, and managing multiple concurrent projects to successful completion. Key Skills and Abilities: 1. Expert professional knowledge of programming language such as Python, R, SQL and Java. 2. Strong knowledge of AI/ML theories and principles and its applicability to and within the enterprise level data ecosystem. 3. Advance knowledge of data governance/policies and data management practices. 4. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective data and analytics strategies. 5. Skill in providing technical leadership, managing projects and providing guidance to other IT technical specialists, government employees and contractors, engaged in planning and conducting studies and analyses, and developing recommendations affecting management and oversight of current and future Space enterprise IT systems and networks. 6. Skill and ability to speak and write effectively, to address highly complex technical and controversial issues (frequently in terms understandable to non-technical personnel), prepare and give briefings, chair meetings, lead task forces, and prepare reports and statements for senior military (General Officer/SES), government, and private sector management officials.

Qualifications: For the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the 1560 series please follow the link here. In addition to the IOR You must also meet the qualifications shown at the link here. Scroll down until you see Professional and Scientific Positions.

How to Apply: Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Application Deadline: 2026-04-24