SDA Artificial Intelligence Program Manager

Odyssey Systems has an exciting opportunity providing Advisory and Assistance Services supporting the US Space Force and its mission to protect and defend National Security Interests in Space as an SDA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Program Manager in support of the US Space Force, Space Systems Command's Integrated, Immersive, Intelligent Environment (I3E) program.

This position provides Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) support to design, develop, mature, and sustain cloud-native AI capabilities that enhance SDA decision intelligence, reduce data-to-information latency, and augment training for both Guardians and autonomous intelligent systems. In this role, you will blend expertise in artificial intelligence, program management, and SDA to help stand up and mature new-start activities in a dynamic mission environment.

This is a full-time position based at LA SFB, El Segundo, CA or 2424 Garden of the Gods Road in Colorado Springs, CO with the opportunity for 3-4 days of telework per week at the discretion of the Government.

An A&AS contractor is a knowledgeable and trusted advisor to the Government. As an SDA AI Program Manager, you will work closely with the Government Program Manager and other stakeholders, providing Advisory and Assistance Services in support of new and evolving AI-related initiatives. Your duties may include, but are not limited to:

Lead and support the design, development, and maturation of AI solutions to meet SDA objectives, including improving data fusion, analytics, and system autonomy
• Coordinate with government, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and contractor teams to integrate AI-driven innovations into broader SDA architectures and operational concepts
• Develop and execute program plans, schedules, and budgets for AI-focused initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and compliance with relevant DoD directives
• Provide technical recommendations and strategic guidance to government personnel on the application of AI to SDA activities, focusing on risk mitigation, capability delivery, and sustainment
• Support development of proposals, statements of work, and other acquisition documents to facilitate industry engagement and the rapid prototyping of AI solutions
• Oversee and guide activities related to the DoD RMF framework, ensuring AI/ML platforms and data sets are accredited and maintained in a secure, cyber-resilient state
• Advise on best practices for accelerating the data-to-information cycle, leveraging advanced analytics and machine learning pipelines to reduce latency for operational decision-makers
• Identify and manage program risks, proactively devising risk mitigation strategies and supporting technology insertion efforts that align with SDA objectives
• Engage in cross-functional collaborations that integrate AI-based tools and training capabilities, ensuring readiness for both human operators (Guardians) and autonomous intelligent systems
• Perform regular reporting, documentation, and briefings to government leadership, ensuring transparency and accountability for all AI program management activities
• Travel to CONUS and OCONUS locations at the request of the Government
• Other duties as required/requested by the Government within the scope of the S3 contract

Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen

Minimum Qualifications:

Clearance: Active Secret clearance, eligible for Top Secret/SCI

Education: Bachelor's degree in Management or Business, or a related discipline

Years of Experience: 8 years of directly relevant experience, 4 of which must be in the DoD, OR,

• MA/MS degree and 4 years of directly relevant experience, 2 of which must be in the DoD

Other Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with government customers, FFRDCs, and industry partners in a highly dynamic environment
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills (both written and verbal), with the ability to produce clear documentation and deliver impactful briefings
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently, as well as part of diverse multidisciplinary teams
• Familiarity with cloud-native architectures, data engineering, and AI/ML operations (MLOps) best practices

Preferred Qualifications:

Clearance: Active TS/SCI, agreeable to polygraph

Education: Master's degree in Management or Business, or a related discipline

Years of Experience: 5+ years of direct experience leading government, contractor, and FFRDC teams in the application of AI and machine learning to defense and IC problems; 8+ years of defense program management.

Other Qualifications:

• Prior experience in the accreditation and operation of DoD computer networks, including the Risk Management Framework (RMF) process
• Prior Experience as a Program or Project Manager in a DoD, MDA, or IC Acquisition organization
• Prior experience as an A&AS contractor in a DoD, MDA, or IC Acquisition organization
• DoD Acquisition, Logistics, or Sustainment experience supporting similar requirements in Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency, Intelligence Community, Federally Funded Research Development Center (FFRDC), or DoD/DoE Laboratory organizations
• Familiarity and proven work experience with DoD Acquisition Program Management, including DoD Adaptive Acquisition Framework (5000 series) processes and requirements
• Experience developing solicitation documents (RFI, RFP, PWS, SOW) and evaluating proposals

Additional Information:

• Location: This is a full-time position based at LA SFB, El Segundo, CA or 2424 Garden of the Gods Road in Colorado Springs, CO
• Travel: Up to 25% to CONUS and OCONUS locations upon Government direction
• Hybrid: With the opportunity for 3-4 days of telework per week at the discretion of the Government

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Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, is an innovative small business committed to providing world-class technical, management, and training support services to government and public sector clients. We focus on people, processes, and performance to deliver superior results. Since our inception in 1997, our commitment to mission success and customer satisfaction has been recognized with exponential growth and exceptional past performance ratings. We accept challenging assignments and drive projects from the planning stages, through implementation, and into operations and support.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Final compensation for this position will be determined by various factors such as the Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.

This position is filled through continuous recruitment and will remain open until a sufficient pool of applications has been received.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, Tricare supplement, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, employee assistance program, learning and development benefit, paid time off, and holidays.

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