Senior Leader Software Directorate
What you'd do
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information. 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.
Major duties
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.
What you need to qualify
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.
Before you apply
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