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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # LEAD COMPUTER SCIENTIST - **Company:** Missile Defense Agency - **Location:** Washington, DC, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $125,776.0 - $170,736.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** HTML, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Information Systems, Transport Layer, Machine Learning, Language Modeling, OpenAI, Systems Architecture, Software Organization, Information Technology - **Published:** October 29, 2026 - **Apply:** https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13099912 ## About the Role Computer Science, Government Organizations, HTTPS (HyperText Transport Protocol Secure), Computer Science, Finance, Accounting, United States Department of Defense (DoD), Reimbursement, Willing to Travel, Team Lead/Manager, * 1550 Computer Science Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Competitive Service Represented by a union No Drug test No Security clearance Other Position sensitivity and risk Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job. Background check type * National security Financial disclosure required No Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests., This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. We reserve the right to close this announcement early or to extend, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency. Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points in the selection process depending on the number and timing of applications received. Selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period.. Human Resources will determine your qualifications for each entry grade level based on your interest and the additional following criteria. Resumes for federal government positions need more detailed work descriptions and accomplishments than a typical private sector resume. Please be sure to clearly describe this in your resume. Combinations of education and experience may also be sufficient. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Bachelors degree in computer science "OR" bachelors degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. Make sure the response you select is supported by your resume and transcripts. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts, failure to provide transcripts may render you ineligible for the position. In addition to the Basic Requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-13) in the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. * Specialized experience is defined as: Experience in computer science theories, modeling, design, research techniques, computer system architecture, and software organization, including a variety of design, development, research, transformation, and integration of computing applications and information systems structures related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled capabilities, products, and systems; experience with Cloud computing best practices and architectures, and Large and Small Language Models, as well as OpenAI. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement., * Attention to Detail * Customer Service * Decision Making * Flexibility * Influencing/Negotiating * Integrity/Honesty * Interpersonal Skills * Learning * Reasoning * Self-Management * Stress Tolerance * Teamwork The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment., Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. ## Description * Sign in * My jobs * Profile * Resumes & documents * Notifications * Talent networks * Sign out * My jobs * Profile * Resumes & documents * Notifications * Talent networks * Sign out * Events * Help Center * Search, Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) mission is to lead the Department of Defense (DoD) in finance and accounting by ensuring the delivery of efficient, exceptional quality pay and financial information., Help * Serves as a senior technical authority and team leader for a group of professional Computer Scientists. * Leads the research, design, development, and integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) solutions, ensuring the delivery of high-impact, efficient, and effective services that support the comprehensive DFAS mission. * Guides the team in identifying, distributing, and balancing workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established workflow, skill level, and/or occupational specialization. * Performs advanced professional work involving the research, development, testing, prototyping, integration, and improvement of AI/ML-enabled products, services, and systems. * Conducts complex experiments, analyzes experimental results, develops predictive or classification models, evaluates model performance, and recommends technically feasible solutions. Requirements Help Conditions of employment * U.S. Citizenship * Background Investigation * Suitable for Federal Employment * Registered for Selective Service (if applicable) * In accordance with the DoD 8140 policy series, the position may be subject to completing Foundational Qualifications in 9 months and completing Residential Qualification requirements in 12 months. * This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination., Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments., * Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. * Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. * Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. * Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at: https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063145798547-USA-Hire-Assessments, The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probationary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy Selective Service Signature and false statements Social security number request Required Documents Help You must provide a complete Application Package which includes: * Resume: you are encouraged to choose only ONE method of submitting your resume. (HR will review the resume that the system date stamps as the latest one received and this may not be the resume which best reflects your qualifications for the job and may result in an ineligible rating.) You may submit your resume by: attaching in your USAJOBS account; uploading in your Application Manager account; OR faxing. * Complete Assessment Questionnaire * Other Supporting Documents * If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here., The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.