Summary As Division Chief you will serve as senior technical authority for engineering and delivering enterprise IT systems including AI, ML, and LLM capabilities supporting mission-critical decision making across OPM. You will set technical direction and engineering standards for infrastructure modernization, lead the full SDLC, own budget execution for major IT investments, and lead a multidisciplinary team of federal and contract engineers, data scientists, and IT professionals. Responsibilities -Serves as the principal technical authority and Division Chief, directing the engineering, architecture, and lifecycle management of enterprise IT systems incorporating artificial intelligence, machine learning, large language models, and advanced algorithmic/data capabilities that support agency decision-making. Establishes technical direction, engineering standards, and architecture patterns for system development, modernization, cloud infrastructure, and hosted services underpinning mission-critical OPM IT programs. Directs the full system development life cycle, from requirements and design through engineering, testing, deployment, and sustainment, and leads budget formulation/execution and cross-organizational coordination for major IT investments. Renders authoritative technical guidance and final engineering decisions on AI-enabled system design, infrastructure architecture, availability engineering, deployment/migration strategy, and mitigation of complex technical risks. Directs management of project resources, contractor performance, service agreements, and expenditures across concurrent modernization and AI initiatives, holding delivery to engineering quality standards. Supervises a multidisciplinary workforce of federal and contract engineers, data scientists, and IT specialists, including subordinate managers/team leads, setting technical performance expectations. Serves as principal technical advisor to senior leadership and represents the division externally (OMB, GSA, industry, oversight bodies) on IT/AI engineering strategy, emerging technology, and technical risk Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation May be required to successfully complete a probationary period Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required You will be required to report to an OPM assigned office. This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit Qualifications Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal service, or equivalent, that includes: Directing or serving as a principal technical authority for the design, engineering, or architecture of enterprise IT systems incorporating artificial intelligence, machine learning, large language models, or advanced algorithms/data systems used to support decisions or predictions; Leading the engineering and full system development life cycle (design, development, testing, deployment, sustainment) of IT systems, infrastructure, or cloud-hosted platforms, including legacy modernization; Supervising or leading engineers, data scientists, IT specialists, contractors, or subordinate supervisors performing technical design, development, or operational work on AI, data, infrastructure, or systems engineering initiatives; Managing program resources (budgets, service agreements, contractor performance, schedules) to deliver technically complex AI-enabled or infrastructure modernization initiatives; and Providing authoritative engineering guidance on system architecture, AI/ML integration, infrastructure design, security engineering, availability, and deployment strategy. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Additional Information This announcement will be used to fill vacancies through OPM-authorized Direct Hire Authority due to Critical Hiring Need/Severe Shortage of Candidates. Veteran preference and traditional rating/raking of applicants do not apply. For more information on OPM's authorization of Direct Hire Authority, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/ Relocation expenses will not be paid. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM. If you are unable to apply online and would like to request information about the Alternate Application process, please use the contact information at the bottom of this announcement. Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable\Accommodations\for\USA\Hire As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
