Principal Director, Architecture and Innovation

Office of the Secretary of Defense • Arlington, VA

2d

About The Position

The Office of the Department of War Chief Information Officer (DoW CIO) is the Principal Staff Assistant (PSA) and advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of War for information technology (IT), including national security systems (NSS), information resources management (IRM) matters. The Principal Director manages a staff of senior technical personnel providing broad guidance on information technology and engineering, technical and operational architectures, standards, programmatic and technical issues.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must sign the Reassignment Rights Obligations Agreement as a condition of appointment into the SES.
• Must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test.
• Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
• Must submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 10/21/2026.
• Must file an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278)'.
• Will serve a one-year probationary period unless previously completed in the SES.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.
• 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.
• Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
• Must show demonstrated evidence of Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within resume (NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES).
• Resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s).
• TQ 1: Demonstrated executive-level experience in developing, implementing, and governing complex Enterprise IT Architectures for large, decentralized organizations. This includes experience translating complex mission requirements into secure, scalable, and interoperable technology solutions.
• TQ 2: Extensive knowledge and experience with identifying, evaluating, and scaling emerging technologies (e.g., Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Cloud-native architectures, advanced cybersecurity frameworks) from concept/pilot phases to full enterprise operational deployment across high-security and regulated environments.
• ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding.
• ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency.
• ECQ 3: Merit and Competence.
• ECQ 4: Leading People.
• ECQ 5: Achieving Results.
• If a member of the SES or have been certified through an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, must attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
• Must have the ability to apply a broad point of view and an awareness and understanding of individual or organizational responsibilities in relation to DoW or government-wide strategic priorities.
• Executives must demonstrate ability to work with internal and external partners to support national security objectives.
• Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Nice To Haves

• If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
• Do NOT submit a separate narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).
• Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified.

Responsibilities

• Directs the DoW Enterprise Architecture (EA) framework to ensure alignment with agency mission objectives and federal mandates.
• Establishes and directs DoW CIO Architectural Roadmaps.
• Leads the transition from legacy systems to a modernized, resilient, and interoperable IT ecosystem.
• Directs the identification, rapid prototyping, and scaling of emerging technologies (e.g., AI, 5G, Quantum, Advanced Data Analytics) to maintain technological superiority in coordination with DOW Research & Engineering.
• Establishes and implements an "innovation pipeline" to transition pilot programs into enterprise-level capabilities.
• Cultivates strategic partnerships with industry, academia, and federal research entities to forecast technology trends and operationalize them for the warfighter.
• Represents the DoW CIO in high-level architecture, engineering, and standards forums within the DoW, the Intelligence Community, the White House, and interagency and international forums.

Benefits

• 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.
• Learn more about federal benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed