Deputy Program Manager (ts/sci Clearance Required)

Deputy Program Manager (TS/SCI Clearance Required)

Washington, DC

About Us

Red Cell Partners is an incubation firm building and investing in rapidly scalable technology-led companies that are bringing revolutionary advancements to market in three distinct practice areas: healthcare, cyber, and national security. United by a shared sense of duty and deep belief in the power of innovation, Red Cell is developing powerful tools and solutions to address our Nation's most pressing problems.

About Defcon Ai

Resilience in the face of disruption. Defcon Ai is an insights company that leverages artificial intelligence, mathematical optimization, data analytics, and software engineering for resilient optimization of complex systems. In today's dynamically changing world, Defcon Ai's technology aligns outcomes with operational goals, better decision making, and empowers customers to anticipate assess, and mitigate the impacts of disruptions.

About the Role

We are seeking a Deputy Program Manager to help lead execution of a large, software‑intensive, AI‑enabled DoD program transitioning from prototype into sustained operational use.

This role will primarily operate remotely from the Washington, DC area, with the willingness to attend frequent in‑person meetings with government and industry partners.

This role is for someone who:

• Lives inside execution, not just oversight
• Is comfortable managing programs built on AI‑foundational approaches (data‑driven systems, optimization engines, ML‑enabled decision support)
• Understands DoD software realities but leans forward in acquisition and delivery thinking
• Can step in as Acting Program Manager at any time without slowing momentum

You will partner closely with the Program Manager while owning the day‑to‑day execution heartbeat across engineering, LLM and AI/ML development, integration, cyber, cloud, and operational stakeholders.

This is not a traditional Deputy PM role. It is a hands‑on operator role in a fast‑moving, AI‑centric software environment.

Key Responsibilities

Drive Daily Execution of AI Enabled Software Programs

• Own day‑to‑day execution across multiple software and data‑centric workstreams
• Translate capability goals into executable plans aligned to incremental, learning‑driven delivery
• Track tasking, dependencies, delivery status, and issue resolution across engineering and AI teams
• Identify and remove blockers before they impact delivery, credibility, or user trust.

Lead Forward-Leaning Software Acquisition and Delivery

• Operate within DoD software acquisition pathways while actively pushing toward modern, software‑first outcomes. Apply pragmatic, outcome‑oriented acquisition thinking suited to fast‑evolving AI systems. Help shape delivery strategies that balance:
• Speed vs. rigor
• Experimentation vs. operational reliability
• Innovation vs. scalability
• Push back on legacy, document‑heavy, waterfall approaches that slow real delivery.

Enable Agile / Hybrid Delivery in an AI Context

• Operate comfortably in Agile and Hybrid delivery environments supporting AI‑driven systems.
• Support sprint planning, release planning, backlog prioritization, and iterative capability drops.
• Ensure Agile practices enable learning, adaptation, and delivery — not process theater.
• Help teams manage the realities of AI development (model iteration, data dependency, evolving performance metrics).

Operate Comfortably in AI‑Foundational Systems

• Partner effectively with engineers and data scientists
• Support programs built on optimization engines, analytics pipelines, AI/ML models, and data‑driven workflows.
• Understand that AI‑enabled systems:
• Improve over time
• Require iteration and feedback loops
• Demand different delivery and risk‑management approaches than static software

Act as Deputy / Acting Program Manager

• Maintain full situational awareness across scope, schedule, risks, dependencies, and stakeholders.
• Step in for the Program Manager when needed to:
• Lead internal and external meetings
• Make time‑sensitive execution decisions
• Communicate clearly with senior government and industry leaders

Manage Risk, Issues and Tradeoffs

• Proactively identify and manage program risks — including technical, data, integration, and delivery risks.
• Maintain and actively use RAID logs and decision records.
• Surface uncomfortable risks early, with practical mitigation options.
• Drive decisions rather than deferring them.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years managing or leading software‑intensive DoD programs.
• Experience as a PM or Deputy PM
• Active TS/SCI Security Clearance
• Currently reside in the Washington DC area & willing to attend frequent in-person meetings (30-40%)
• Demonstrated ownership of day‑to‑day program execution
• Hands‑on experience with Agile or Hybrid software delivery frameworks.
• Experience working on programs involving advanced analytics, AI/ML, optimization, or data‑driven systems.
• Experience delivering software that supports real operational users, exercises, or deployments.
• Strong bias toward execution, learning, and delivery.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast‑evolving problem spaces.
• Able to make decisions with incomplete information.
• Able to influence without authority across highly technical teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience transitioning AI‑enabled or data‑centric systems from prototype to operational scale.
• Familiarity with DevSecOps, cloud‑native architectures, or secure data pipelines.
• Experience operating in high‑tempo, high‑visibility programs.

What Success Looks Like

• You quickly become the engine of daily execution.
• You earn trust as a credible stand‑in for the Program Manager.
• Delivery becomes clearer, faster, and more resilient.
• Teams move forward confidently in an AI‑driven environment.
• The program pushes boundaries — responsibly — without losing operational trust.

What We Offer:

• A fully remote, results-based environment
• Competitive salary, bonus, and equity package
• 100% employer paid, comprehensive health insurance including medical, dental, and vision for you and your family
• Unlimited PTO, with your manager's approval
• Flexible work environment where you manage your work day
• 14 weeks of fully-paid parental leave

Salary Range: $175,000-215,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience, skills, and other factors.

Our Red Cell Partners Benefits:

For full-time roles

• Career track opportunity with potential for rapid advancement with strong performance as the firm grows
• 100% employer paid, comprehensive health care including medical, dental, and vision for you and your family.
• Paid maternity and paternity for 14 weeks at employees' normal pay.
• Unlimited PTO, with management approval.
• Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.
• Optional 401K, FSA, and equity incentives available.
• Mental health benefits are available through Tara Mind.
• Cost effective GLP-1 solutions available through Crux.

We're an Equal Opportunity Employer: You'll receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.