About Agile DefenseAt Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges require new solutions. That's why we always look to the future and embrace change with an unmovable spirit and the courage to build for what comes next.
Our vision is to bring adaptive innovation to support our nation's most important missions through the seamless integration of advanced technologies, elite minds, and unparalleled agility-leveraging a foundation of speed, flexibility, and ingenuity to strengthen and protect our nation's vital interests.
Requisition #: 1890
Job Title: Senior Program Integration Lead
Location: Pentagon | Alexandria, VA
Clearance Level: Top Secret w/ SCI eligibility, Must Have Clearance to Start
The Program Integration Lead supports the Department of War Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) in accelerating the acquisition, integration, and delivery of software capabilities against priority operational needs. As part of a distributed, cross-functional team, this role works across operational, acquisition, product, and technical communities to connect mission requirements with executable software outcomes through the Cadre software acquisition pathway.
Embedded with the A&S office within CDAO, the Program Integration Lead works directly with the A&S Director to create structure around dynamic priorities, translate direction into coordinated action, and drive alignment and follow-through across the broader stakeholder community. The role works across Combatant Commands, A&S, JFN program leadership, BOND, Joint Staff, Services, acquisition organizations, technical teams, and other mission partners to connect efforts, manage cross-program dependencies, resolve barriers to execution, and equip leadership with clear, decision-ready information.
Success in this role requires strong operational judgment, program leadership, and executive communication, with the ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics and keep execution moving. The Program Integration Lead helps expand effective use of the Cadre software acquisition pathway across JFN and associated efforts while connecting near-term execution to broader CDAO objectives. The role also brings relevant lessons and insights from execution back to company leadership to inform strategic planning and strengthen broader software acquisition, delivery, and mission-integration approaches.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES- Serve as a senior program and operational integration partner to A&S leadership within CDAO.
- Coordinate across Combatant Commands, JFN program leadership, Joint Staff, Services, acquisition organizations, technical teams, and other mission partners to maintain alignment around shared priorities and outcomes.
- Translate strategic direction and senior-leader priorities into executable program objectives, roadmaps, backlogs, and activities.
- Develop and maintain an integrated view of program priorities, dependencies, decisions, risks, and execution across participating organizations.
- Manage the integrated program backlog, connecting operational demand with acquisition and software delivery priorities.
- Coordinate and sequence Cadre-supported activities across JFN and associated Golden Hammer programs, including ARGO, JSDT, THUNDERFORGE, and ETA.
- Identify cross-program dependencies, competing priorities, resource constraints, and issues requiring leadership attention.
- Develop concise, decision-ready options that communicate issues, tradeoffs, dependencies, and implications for senior leaders.
- Establish and maintain effective operating rhythms for stakeholder communication, decisions, actions, commitments, and follow-through.
- Provide executive reporting and briefings that give CDAO leadership visibility into progress, barriers, emerging needs, and required decisions.
- Connect individual software efforts and near-term execution priorities to broader JFN and CDAO strategic objectives.
- Identify opportunities to apply and scale the Cadre software acquisition pathway against validated operational software needs.
- Drive unresolved issues toward closure by engaging the appropriate stakeholders and determining when working-level resolution, cross-organizational alignment, or senior Government decision is required.
- Capture recurring mission, acquisition, and execution patterns and translate relevant lessons into reusable organizational knowledge.
- Share field-informed insights with company leadership to support strategic planning and continued maturity of software acquisition, delivery, partnerships, and mission-integration capabilities.
Basic Qualifications- 12+ years of relevant experience in military operations, program or portfolio leadership, acquisition, capability development, national security, or a related field. Higher education, specialized training, relevant military service, and professional experience may be considered in combination.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex programs, portfolios, or mission efforts involving multiple organizations, disciplines, and senior stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience translating strategic guidance and senior-leader priorities into executable plans, priorities, or program activities.
- Demonstrated ability to build alignment and drive execution across organizations without direct authority over participating stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex issues, competing priorities, and incomplete information into clear, decision-ready options for senior leadership.
- Demonstrated ability to create structure and forward progress in ambiguous environments where ownership, priorities, authorities, or processes are still evolving.
- Strong judgment and executive communication skills, with demonstrated experience engaging senior Government, military, or equivalent executive stakeholders.
- Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility
Preferred Qualifications- Senior Joint, Service, Combatant Command, or Special Operations operational experience.
- Experience with Joint fires, targeting, command and control, or related mission areas.
- Experience working across OSD, Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Services, PEOs, or other acquisition organizations.
- Experience with software-intensive, data, AI/ML, or digitally enabled capability programs.
- Familiarity with defense software acquisition, rapid capability delivery, or iterative acquisition approaches.
- Familiarity with Agile or iterative software delivery and the relationship among operational needs, product priorities, acquisition decisions, development, fielding, and user feedback.
- Experience managing portfolios or interconnected programs with distributed ownership, funding, authorities, and execution.
- Experience establishing operating models, governance structures, or execution processes for new or rapidly evolving programs.
- Familiarity with product management, software portfolio management, backlog management, or related practices.
Working EnvironmentEnvironmental ConditionsWork is primarily performed in professional office and Government facility environments within the National Capital Region, including regular engagement at the Pentagon and other secure Government locations. The position requires frequent in-person collaboration with Government and mission stakeholders and may require travel to Combatant Commands, program offices, technical organizations, and other mission locations. Work may occur in secure facilities with restrictions on personal electronic devices and remote connectivity.
Strength DemandsSedentary to light physical demands associated with professional office environments. Occasional movement or transport of laptops, documents, and other standard work materials may be required.
Physical RequirementsRegular use of computers and standard office equipment; ability to participate in meetings, working sessions, and briefings for extended periods; ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all organizational levels; and ability to travel as required.
$140,000 - $180,000 a year
Our Core ValuesEmployees of Agile Defense are our number one priority, and the importance we place on our culture here is fundamental. Our culture is alive and evolving, but it always stays true to its roots. Here, you are valued as a family member, and we believe that we can accomplish great things together. Agile Defense has been highly successful in the past few years due to our employees and the culture we create together.
What makes us Agile? We call it the 6Hs, the values that define our culture and guide everything we do. Together, these values infuse vibrancy, integrity, and a tireless work ethic into advancing the most important national security and critical civilian missions. It's how we show up every day. It's who we are.
- Happy - Be Infectious. Happiness multiplies and creates a positive and connected environment where motivation and satisfaction have an outsized effect on everything we do.
- Helpful - Be Supportive. Being helpful is the foundation of teamwork, resulting in a supportive atmosphere where collaboration flourishes, and collective success is celebrated.
- Honest - Be Trustworthy. Honesty serves as our compass, ensuring transparent communication and ethical conduct, essential to who we are and the complex domains we support.
- Humble - Be Grounded. Success is not achieved alone, humility ensures a culture of mutual respect, encouraging open communication, and a willingness to learn from one another and take on any task.
- Hungry - Be Eager. Our hunger for excellence drives an insatiable appetite for innovation and continuous improvement, propelling us forward in the face of new and unprecedented challenges.
- Hustle - Be Driven. Hustle is reflected in our relentless work ethic, where we are each committed to going above and beyond to advance the mission and achieve success.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesWe may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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