Technical Program Manager (Homeland Layered Defense), Public Sector

Scale AI
Washington, DC

Who this role is best for

Systems engineers with AI/ML deployment experience in secure environments will find this mid-level role in Washington, DC, emphasizing cross-functional collaboration and technical execution on national security projects.

Best fit for

  • Mid-level systems engineers with AI/ML deployment experience on classified networks
    — “Experience building or deploying AI/ML and agentic systems on classified networks
  • Candidates with strong technical writing skills for PRDs and ERDs
    — “Ability to write detailed technical and product requirements that engineering teams can directly execute against
  • Individuals who can manage complex program dependencies and risks in secure environments
    — “Experience driving complex technical programs across multiple engineering and stakeholder groups

Things to consider

  • Travel commitment of 25–50% for onsite engagements and evaluations
    — “Willingness to travel 25–50% for onsite engagements, integration work, user testing, briefings, and formal evaluation events
  • Requires working in secure facilities and air-gapped government systems
    — “Comfort working extensively inside secure facilities and air-gapped government systems

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with classified systems and secure data integration in your resume
    — “Ability to reason about data availability and software integration constraints in secure or highly regulated environments
  • Emphasize your ability to translate operational workflows into technical documentation
    — “Translate operational workflows into detailed Product Requirements Documents (PRDs), Engineering Requirements Documents (ERDs), and executable engineering work
  • Demonstrate your understanding of national security mission areas and their technical nuances
    — “Candidates may align to one or more of the following mission areas depending on background, customer need, and program assignment
  • Demonstrate your ability to maintain end-to-end traceability of requirements and deliverables
    — “Maintain end-to-end requirements traceability from customer objective to software build, test event, and formal deliverable
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Mid Level

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Successfully managed technical execution for national security mission areas
  • Translated operational workflows into detailed technical documents
  • Maintained end-to-end requirements traceability
Typical background
Technical program management experienceSoftware engineering background

Skills & requirements

Required

Technical Program ManagementRequirements DefinitionEngineering RequirementsRisk ManagementProject PlanningCross-functional Collaboration

Preferred

Ai/ml SystemsAgentic SystemsSecure Network IntegrationGovernment Contracting

Stack & domain

Technical Program ManagementSoftware EngineeringSystems EngineeringProduct ManagementAi/mlAgentic SystemsData SystemsSystem IntegrationPythonSQLCommunicationCollaborationProblem-solvingRisk ManagementDefenseNational SecurityAI

About the role

Original posting from Scale AI via Greenhouse

Scale's public sector business is providing the best of American commercial technology and innovation to protect the homeland and meet the moment. As a member of our public sector delivery team, you will own relationships critical to the portfolio of clients charged with a layered defense for the United States. You will be a catalyst, willing to go deep, get technical, and drive change. You will manage customer relationships and partners as well as partner with our engineering team to solve Scale’s hardest problems. All of this serves an ultimate goal of delivering cutting-edge agentic AI to orchestrate portfolio management for defense of the homeland.

You will:

Own technical execution for one or more national security mission areas from initial requirement through deployment and formal evaluation

Translate operational workflows into detailed Product Requirements Documents (PRDs), Engineering Requirements Documents (ERDs), and executable engineering work

Work alongside engineers during cycle planning to define scope, sequencing, architecture constraints, dependencies, and milestones

Maintain end-to-end requirements traceability from customer objective to software build, test event, and formal deliverable

Drive Jira/GitLab execution and provide accurate inputs into integrated master schedules and program-level planning

Understand and manage data availability, system architecture, integration dependencies, and technical constraints across high-side networks

Identify technical blockers early, own their resolution, and immediately escalate critical risks when required

Partner with subcontractors and external engineering teams where applicable, defining interfaces, deliverables, handoffs, and accountability

Communicate technical progress, risks, tradeoffs, and decisions clearly to both engineering teams and senior customer stakeholders

Must haves:

Active TS/SCI clearance

5+ years of experience in technical program management, software engineering, systems engineering, product management, technical consulting, or a related technical delivery role

Strong technical literacy across software architecture, APIs, data systems, system integration, and AI/ML-enabled products

Ability to write detailed technical and product requirements that engineering teams can directly execute against

Experience driving complex technical programs across multiple engineering and stakeholder groups

Strong understanding of program management fundamentals, including requirements traceability, dependencies, risks, schedules, and deliverables

Ability to reason about data availability and software integration constraints in secure or highly regulated environments

Comfort working extensively inside secure facilities and air-gapped government systems

Willingness to travel 25–50% for onsite engagements, integration work, user testing, briefings, and formal evaluation events

We have a diverse team with a variety of skill sets, many have:

A technical degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, data science, or a related field

Proficiency in Python, SQL, or another programming language

Prior experience as a software engineer, systems engineer, solutions architect, or technical product manager

Experience building or deploying AI/ML and agentic systems on classified networks

Compensation packages at Scale for eligible roles include base salary, equity, and benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position and may be inclusive of several career levels at Scale; it will be determined during the interview process based on work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, interview performance, and relevant education or training. Scale employees in eligible roles are also granted equity based compensation, subject to Board of Director approval. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process, and confirm whether the hired role will be eligible for equity grant. You'll also receive benefits including, but not limited to: comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, a learning and development stipend, and generous PTO. Additionally, this role may be eligible for additional benefits such as a commuter stipend.

The base salary range for this full-time position in the location of Washington DC is:$166,400—$249,000 USDPLEASE NOTE: Our policy requires a 90-day waiting period before reconsidering candidates for the same role. This allows us to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of all applicants.

About Us:

At Scale, our mission is to develop reliable AI systems for the world's most important decisions. Our products provide the high-quality data and full-stack technologies that power the world's leading models, and help enterprises and governments build, deploy, and oversee AI applications that deliver real impact. We work closely with industry leaders like Meta, Ernst & Young, Mayo Clinic, Time Inc., the Government of Qatar, and U.S. government agencies including the Army and Air Force. We are expanding our team to accelerate the development of AI applications.

We believe that everyone should be able to bring their whole selves to work, which is why we are proud to be an inclusive and equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability status, gender identity or Veteran status. 

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation in the application or recruiting process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@scale.com. Please see the United States Department of Labor's Know Your Rights poster for additional information.

We comply with the United States Department of Labor's Pay Transparency provision. 

PLEASE NOTE: We collect, retain and use personal data for our professional business purposes, including notifying you of job opportunities that may be of interest and sharing with our affiliates. We limit the personal data we collect to that which we believe is appropriate and necessary to manage applicants’ needs, provide our services, and comply with applicable laws. Any information we collect in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our internal policies and programs designed to protect personal data. Please see our privacy policy for additional information.

Source: Scale AI careers (Greenhouse)

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