Program Manager Army

Company Description

Dcode is a team of doers dedicated to bridging the gap between the speed of technology and the federal government. We align people, culture, policies, and processes to get tech in the hands of those who need it most. Operating at the nexus of government leaders, emerging tech companies, and venture capital, we turn roadblocks into results.

Dcode is seeking a high-performing Program Manager (AI/ML Systems) to support a dynamic, fast-paced innovation environment embedded within the U.S. Army.

This role supports rapid capability development efforts in close collaboration with industry, academia, active-duty personnel, and senior Army acquisition stakeholders. You will help operational commands identify needs, rapidly prototype solutions, and transition capabilities efficiently, working alongside the client.

You’ll manage projects from kickoff to delivery, coordinate multidisciplinary teams (including Dcode Field Experts), and work directly with senior military and government leaders. The work blends program management, agile delivery, stakeholder facilitation, and technical fluency, with exposure to software-enabled capabilities, automation, and AI/ML-adjacent efforts.

One day you might be planning an agile sprint for a rapid prototype, the next, facilitating a workshop with operators, developers, and acquisition professionals. This is meaningful, mission-driven work for someone who thrives in ambiguity and execution.

Duty Station: Fort Bragg, NC

Salary range: $98,000-$130,000 plus bi-annual bonuses.

Secret clearance or higher is strongly preferred. Eligibility for clearance is required.

Job Responsibilities

Client & Mission Success

• Serve as a trusted partner to Army and DoW stakeholders operating within the corps and acquisition ecosystems.
• Support operational commands in identifying capability gaps and translating needs into actionable, rapid solutions.
• Help design and stand up agile operational structures that enable fast delivery and experimentation.
• Facilitate collaboration across multiple organizations.
• Lead workshops, write assessments, and convert complex operational and technical challenges into clear recommendations.
• Continuously collect feedback and refine delivery approaches to improve outcomes and user experience.

Program and Project Delivery

• Manage day-to-day delivery for assigned workstream(s), producing high quality deliverables and measurable outcomes for your clients.
• Define and track performance metrics to evaluate progress towards objectives, ensuring Dcode’s support drives outsized mission and organizational value.
• Apply agile and Scrum methodologies to plan, execute, and adapt projects based on real-time feedback.
• Identify and help implement automation opportunities to make processes faster and more efficient.
• Work closely with technical contributors and Systems Developers to ensure requirements, timelines, and dependencies are aligned.
• Coordinate closely with Dcode leadership and Field Experts to bring the right expertise into projects at the right time.
• Track progress against milestones and communicate updates clearly and frequently to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support rapid prototyping and experimentation efforts tied to software-enabled capabilities.

Technical & Systems Support (Program-Level)

• Partner with Systems Developers and technical teams supporting SOF capability efforts.
• Contribute to planning and oversight of software development and integration activities, including testing, deployment, and sustainment considerations.
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, AI/ML trends, and software development best practices to inform planning and decision-making.
• Help ensure interoperability, security, and compliance with DoD regulations throughout delivery efforts.
• Support documentation efforts, including requirements, design artifacts, user guidance, and lessons learned.

Operational & Contract Management

• Understand and manage contract requirements to ensure compliance and effective delivery.
• Identify risks early and work with leadership to mitigate issues quickly.
• Capture lessons learned and recommended improvements to processes, tools, and workflows.
• Support efforts to remove policy, acquisition, and operational barriers to innovation.
• Implement solutions that make delivery more efficient and scalable.

Qualifications

KEY SKILLS

• 5+ years of acquisition and project/program management experience in a federal, DoW, or defense-adjacent environment.
• Experience working in innovation-focused organizations, rapid capability offices, labs, or operational experimentation environments.
• Strong understanding of agile project management principles; hands-on Scrum experience preferred.
• Familiarity with material acquisition, systems engineering, or rapid prototyping efforts.
• Foundational understanding of Python or similar scripting languages to support planning for AI/ML or data-driven efforts (not a developer role).
• Experience managing client-facing initiatives from planning through execution.
• Comfort operating in collaborative environments with military personnel, government civilians, technical experts, and senior leaders with the professionalism, discretion, and situational awareness required to navigate high-stakes discussions and drive alignment across diverse priorities.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to operate independently, solve problems, and deliver results in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
• A track record of problem-solving, working independently, and delivering results.
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or ability to lead a Scrum.

Additional Information

You’ll love it here if:

• Thrive in fast-paced, mission-driven environments.
• Love figuring out how to make big, complex things run smoothly.
• Are energized by working with smart, passionate teammates.
• Don’t wait for permission to fix problems or seize opportunities.
• Can give and take feedback without ego.
• Bring energy, creativity, and persistence to everything you do.

We look for resilient hustlers:

Our CEO busted her face on the balance beam in college and got back up… our CRO has knocked on a thousand doors, was rejected 999 times, and kept on knocking... What is your story?

Equal Opportunity Statement

We provide equal opportunity to all persons without regard to ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, family or parental status, national origin, veteran, or disability status. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

We believe diversity is a strength and aim to build an innovative and welcoming culture where people from all backgrounds feel respected and included. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has the tools, resources, and opportunities to excel.