Technical Program Manager - Software Systems
About The Position
Torch.AI is building the AI Control Layer for the United States Government, providing foundational data and intelligence infrastructure to make sense of complex, multi-domain data at machine speed. Their platform, comprising ORCUS, NEXUS, and HALO, is accredited, deployed, and operational across enterprise clouds and tactical edge environments, supporting various defense operations like multi-INT fusion, predictive movement analysis, and decision support. The company seeks candidates who want to build systems that operate under real-world constraints such as degraded visibility, adversarial mis/disinformation, intermittent connectivity, and low-SWaP hardware, with a focus on operational AI that ships, runs, and is used to strengthen U.S. defense readiness. Torch.AI emphasizes government ownership of data and reasoning infrastructure, aiming to increase the value of existing systems rather than replacing them. They measure performance by accuracy, latency, and efficiency, and foster a culture of craftsmanship, discipline, and rapid deployment. The work environment is fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven, involving collaboration with engineers, data experts, veterans, and mission practitioners. The ideal candidate is a builder who ships and iterates, comfortable with messy data and unclear requirements, prioritizing utility over elegance. They value explainability and determinism for auditability in real decisions, move quickly while respecting security boundaries, and measure success by operational impact. This role specifically blends program execution, technical fluency, and deployment coordination to deliver mission-critical AI and data platforms across classified and unclassified environments. It involves driving cross-functional execution, aligning engineering delivery with mission objectives, and ensuring customer deployments meet operational readiness requirements. While not a software engineering role requiring daily coding, the Technical Program Manager must be technically fluent to translate mission needs into executable plans, track delivery, communicate status and risks, and coordinate deployment activities. The role is accountable for delivery outcomes and mission readiness across multiple environments.
Requirements
- Active Secret, Top Secret, or Top Secret/SCI clearance.
- U.S. citizenship is required for all positions.
- Eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate clearance level (where required).
- B.S. in a technical discipline (engineering, computer science, information systems) or demonstrated equivalent experience delivering complex technical programs.
- 6–10+ years of experience in technical program management, systems engineering, solutions delivery, or similar roles.
- Demonstrated experience delivering complex technical programs in defense or high-security environments.
- Strong technical fluency across software development lifecycles, cloud environments, APIs, and deployment processes.
- Strong organizational discipline and ability to manage competing priorities in high-tempo environments.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to drive alignment across cross-functional stakeholders.
- Technically fluent and able to translate mission needs into executable delivery plans and technical requirements.
- Technically fluent and able to track delivery across engineering teams, environments, and security domains.
- Technically fluent and able to communicate program status, technical risk, and delivery tradeoffs to stakeholders.
- Technically fluent and able to coordinate deployment readiness, cutovers, and stabilization activities.
Nice To Haves
- Experience supporting deployments across SIPR/JWICS/NIPR or isolated cloud domains.
- Familiarity with AI/ML-enabled platforms and data fusion workflows.
- PMP, Scrum, SAFe, or DoD 8570/8140 certifications.
- Prior military or operational mission experience.
- Previous software development in Java, Python, or other languages is a preferred.
Responsibilities
- Drive planning and execution of mission-critical technical programs supporting DoD and IC customers.
- Conduct code Peer Reviews for your team.
- Translate mission needs into executable delivery plans, milestones, and measurable acceptance criteria.
- Maintain execution rhythm across sprint planning, readiness reviews, and milestone delivery.
- Track dependencies, risks, and delivery status across engineering, security, and deployment teams.
- Coordinate deployment planning and go-live execution across multiple environments and security domains.
- Communicate program status, technical risks, and tradeoffs clearly to internal and customer stakeholders.
- Support accreditation and operational approval activities by ensuring delivery alignment with compliance requirements.
- Maintain program artifacts including roadmaps, RAID logs, schedules, and customer-facing execution plans.
- Align engineering delivery with mission objectives.
- Ensure customer deployments meet operational readiness requirements.
- Validate technical deployments and code.
Benefits
- Competitive base salary
- Quarterly performance bonuses
- Equity participation within the first 12 months
- Unlimited PTO
- 11 paid company holidays
- Professional development in a high-growth, mission-driven environment
- Weekly in-office catering at HQ
- 401(k) plan (no current employer match)
- PPO, HSA, and TRICARE Supplement medical options
- Above-market HSA contributions
- HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care FSA options
- Dental and vision plans above national averages
- Employer-paid life insurance (1× salary)
- Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity coverage
- Up to $300/month in tax-advantaged commuter benefits
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Number of Employees
1-10 employees
