Summary

The Senior Leader Software Directorate provides executive oversight for more than 5,500 software professionals within the Air Force Sustainment Center Software Directorate (AFSC/SW). The role is essential to national security, ensuring the delivery of secure, resilient, and war-winning software capabilities that power critical U.S. warfighting systems.

Duties

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This high-profile position serves in a dual capacity as a nationally and internationally recognized software authority and as the Headquarters Air Force Chief Software Officer (CSO). Operating as a critical national asset, the incumbent establishes the common vision, strategy, and overarching development methodologies for highly complex air, space, and cyber weapon systems. In the CSO role, the individual directly supports SAF/AQ and AFMC/CC, leading the force-wide transition to DevSecOps and agile cultures, while actively identifying enterprise-wide software services, eliminating duplicate platforms, and utilizing strategic contracts to expedite procurement.

A cornerstone of this position is ensuring the absolute security and cyber resiliency of warfighting software, its development environments, and the associated supply chain. The incumbent guides Air Force policies for secure code development, directs major engineering studies, and advises on fund expenditures for complex weapon, avionics, and automatic test equipment software. To counter sophisticated global threats to the U.S. industrial base, the individual collaborates closely with intelligence agencies-including the FBI, NASIC, and OSI-to build robust program protection plans and shield critical software intellectual property from exploitation.

As a premier technical emissary, the incumbent represents AFSC, AFMC, and HQ USAF across high-level national and international forums, committees, and advisory boards. This includes serving on and chairing panels like the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board and joint defense committees to coordinate software initiatives with the Army, Navy, NASA, FAA, industry, and academia. By presenting technical papers and leading global discussions on software integrity, the individual aligns sustainment and modernization efforts with international allies to preserve U.S. warfighting superiority.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
• Disclosure of Political Appointments.
• Selected candidate must file a Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
• Position has been designated Special-Sensitive and the selectee must have or be able to obtain a Top Secret/SCI with SAP clearance.
• Drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use IAW Exec. Order 12564, dated 14 Sep 86. Position requires that the incumbent sign a Drug Testing letter and pass urinalysis testing prior to appointment.
• Position requires travel under conditions specified in the DoW Joint Travel Regulations. Incumbent is expected to travel on short notice to attend high-level meetings.
• Position may require incumbent to be available for other than normal duty hours to include weekends to support exercises and crisis planning.
• Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoW Policy on The Employment of Annuitants.
• Within the Department of War (DoW), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
• Active Duty Military Members must indicate retirement eligibility.

Qualifications

Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has training, education and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

In accordance with new OPM requirements to streamline hiring, applicants are no longer required to submit lengthy narrative essays, including those for Technical Qualifications (TQs) or Senior Professional Qualifications (SPQs), when applying. Instead, the initial application will be resume-only, capped at two pages. This change streamlines the application process and more closely aligns with private industry practices. Applicants identified for potential selection will have their qualifications assessed by undergoing a structured interview conducted by a panel.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Technical and Senior Professional Qualifications related to this position within your resume (not to exceed 2 pages). Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of your qualifications, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: This position has the following education requirement:

General Engineering (0801) series requires: a) A degree in professional engineering orb) A combination of education and experience, at least 60 hours of college-level education, in the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineers combined with specialized training and/or technical experience (as demonstrated by registration as a professional engineer or successful completion of the Engineer-in-Training examination). For more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/general-engineering-series-0801/.

Operations Research (1550) series requires: A degree: in operations research; or at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/operations-research-series-1515/

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ1. Leadership of Software Development and Teams of major software engineering efforts supporting Department of the Air Force (DAF) mission capabilities, with recognized national-level contributions. Demonstrated success in leading software teams and providing technical oversight to ensure solutions meet enterprise-level standards, incorporating modern engineering practices, and advanced DAF objectives. Skilled in guiding cross-functional teams, making independent technical decisions, and effectively communicating strategies to senior stakeholders and government leadership.

TQ2. Demonstrated senior-level software engineering expertise with significant personal contributions to software methodologies, architectures, and technologies that improved system performance, reliability, and mission impact across weapons, ground, and support systems. Known for integrating emerging technologies, driving innovation, and applying advanced software techniques to solve complex problems-earning recognition as a technical leader in the DAF/DoW software community.

Additional information

Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is applicable to Air Force Senior Level (SL) positions.

Relocation Authorized: Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be offered.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoW Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.