Program Manager (Homeland Layered Defense), Public Sector

Scale's public sector business is providing the best of American commercial technology and innovation to protect the homeland and meet the moment. Our ultimate goal is to deliver cutting-edge agentic AI to orchestrate portfolio management for defense of the homeland.

We’re hiring a Program Manager (PgM) to lead and own execution for Scale’s portfolio of clients charged with a layered defense for the United States. You will be a catalyst, a hands-on leader, manage customer relationships and partners, and work closely with our engineering team to solve Scale’s hardest problems. You must be willing to go deep, get technical, and drive change.  This role is ideal for someone who blends program leadership, systems-building obsession, technical fluency — and who thrives in fast-moving, ambiguous, and mission-driven environments.

You will:

• Serve as the contractual and internal program lead across a large-scale public sector engagement, integrating multiple sub-efforts under one umbrella (e.g., data pipelines for computer vision, software deployments for GenAI solutions)
• Own relationships with senior government stakeholders and ensure that we meet contractual obligations, performance metrics, and reporting requirements
• Own relationships with subcontractors to ensure successful delivery of the prime contract
• Lead formal engagements such as contract reviews, customer program syncs, performance assessments, and reporting cycles
• Lead and supervise a team of 3-4 delivery managers who run day-to-day customer engagement efforts
• Oversee a technical delivery team that will drive product roadmap alignment that adapts evolving customer needs

Must haves:

• An active TS/SCI clearance
• 10+ years professional experience, ideally managing complex technical programs for DoD or national security customers
• A proven ability to lead large, cross-functional efforts across delivery, contracts, and customer teams
• A healthy obsession with establishing and driving adoption of programmatic systems and processes; plus the ability to exert influence and manage associated change
• Familiarity with FAR-based contracts and program structures like IDIQs, task orders, and OTAs
• Strong business acumen with the ability to manage performance metrics, contract deliverables, and program budgets
• A track record of high ownership in ambiguous environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills — especially with senior government stakeholders
• Deep curiosity about agentic AI and its application to homeland layered defense
• A willingness to travel up to 25% of the time

We have a diverse team with a variety of skill sets, many have:

• Proficiency in Python, SQL or other programming languages
• A proven track record in B2B + B2G client facing roles and expanding client relationships
• Prior experience delivering technical solutions to government customers
• Domain expertise in a relevant field (e.g. modeling and simulation, joint planning processes, intelligence workflows, etc)

Compensation packages at Scale for eligible roles include base salary, equity, and benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position, determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, interview performance, and relevant education or training. Scale employees in eligible roles are also granted equity in compensation, subject to Board of Director approval. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process, and confirm whether the hired role will be eligible for equity grant. You’ll also receive benefits including, but not limited to: Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, a learning and development stipend, and generous PTO. Additionally, this role may be eligible for additional benefits such as a commuter stipend.

The base salary range for this full-time position in the location of Washington DC is:

$223,300—$279,400 USD

PLEASE NOTE: Our policy requires a 90-day waiting period before reconsidering candidates for the same role. This allows us to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of all applicants.

About Us:

At Scale, our mission is to develop reliable AI systems for the world's most important decisions. Our products provide the high-quality data and full-stack technologies that power the world's leading models, and help enterprises and governments build, deploy, and oversee AI applications that deliver real impact. We work closely with industry leaders like Meta, Cisco, DLA Piper, Mayo Clinic, Time Inc., the Government of Qatar, and U.S. government agencies including the Army and Air Force. We are expanding our team to accelerate the development of AI applications.

We believe that everyone should be able to bring their whole selves to work, which is why we are proud to be an inclusive and equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability status, gender identity or Veteran status. 

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation in the application or recruiting process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@scale.com. Please see the United States Department of Labor's Know Your Rights poster for additional information.

We comply with the United States Department of Labor's Pay Transparency provision. 

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