OPM Launches "US Tech Force" to Bring AI and Tech Talent into Federal Service
The US Office of Personnel Management is launching a new early-career hiring and development program-called the US Tech Force-to bring more technology and AI talent into government roles. The first cohort will include 1,000 software engineers, data scientists, project managers, and AI specialists placed across federal agencies for two-year assignments.
The goal is straightforward: close the technical talent gap, move faster on AI adoption, and give early-career professionals meaningful problems to solve inside government. Compensation will range from roughly $130,000 to $195,000 to stay competitive with private-sector offers.
What This Means for Agencies
Agencies get vetted talent to work on high-impact projects, without the hiring friction that slows down critical tech work. OPM will handle the initial screening and technical assessments, then recommend candidates to agencies for final interviews and hiring decisions.
Applications open Monday. OPM expects most of the first cohort to be placed by the first quarter of 2026.
How the Program Works
- Two-year placements: Members work directly for individual agencies on projects set by agency leadership.
- Centralized screening, decentralized hiring: OPM vets candidates, agencies make final selections.
- Early-career focus: Targeting engineers, data scientists, PMs, and AI practitioners early in their careers.
- Public-private exchange: Tech companies will be asked to recommend early-career managers who can take a leave of absence to join the cohort.
Priority Projects on the Table
- Department of Defense: integrating advanced AI into drones and other weapons programs.
- Internal Revenue Service: building out the Trump Accounts platform.
- State Department: improving intelligence workflows with AI.
Members will be placed based on agency needs and the candidate's skills, with projects spanning infrastructure, data platforms, model development, and responsible AI deployment.
Development, Mentorship, and Industry Access
Throughout the program, OPM will host speaker sessions with Silicon Valley CEOs and other executives. Around 25 tech companies will provide mentorship and career planning support.
Confirmed partners include Microsoft, Adobe, Amazon, Meta, and xAI. The program concludes with a job fair offering both public- and private-sector opportunities.
Compensation and Career Impact
Salaries are expected to fall between $130,000 and $195,000. The structure is meant to compete for scarce talent while giving members a chance to work on complex, high-value problems at scale.
Graduates can pursue permanent federal roles or return to the private sector with stronger experience and a broader professional network.
Context: Broader Federal Push on AI
This effort aligns with ongoing attempts to modernize federal systems and accelerate AI adoption across government. Officials have noted that the Department of Government Efficiency-launched earlier this year-no longer operates as a centralized entity, but the push for modernization continues across agencies.
What Agency Leaders Can Do Now
- Define mission-aligned projects: Scope deliverables that can be achieved in 18-24 months with clear success metrics.
- Clarify skill profiles: Identify the mix of SWE, data, PM, and AI roles you actually need-then prioritize.
- Stand up fast-path hiring: Prep interview panels, technical assessments, and security workflows before candidates arrive.
- Prepare the environment: Ensure data access, cloud accounts, and development tools are ready on day one.
- Set guardrails: Align with the NIST AI Risk Management Framework for model governance, evaluation, and monitoring.
Who Should Apply
- Early-career software engineers, data scientists, ML/AI engineers, and technical product/project managers.
- Early-career managers from tech companies interested in a temporary leave to lead federal projects.
How to Stand Out as a Candidate
- Show tangible work: Link to code samples, shipped projects, or model performance improvements.
- Demonstrate impact: Explain outcomes in plain terms-cost saved, time reduced, accuracy improved.
- Be security-ready: Expect clearance processes; be prepared for responsible data handling and auditing.
- Know the stack: Cloud, MLOps, prompt workflows, model evaluation, and data governance.
Timeline
- Applications open: Monday
- Initial placements targeted: Q1 2026
- Program length: Two years with mentorship, events, and a closing job fair
Upskill While You Apply
If you're aiming for an AI or data role, tighten your skills now. Practical courses and certification paths can speed up your readiness and make your application sharper.
Bottom Line
The US Tech Force gives federal teams faster access to the skills they need and gives early-career technologists a chance to work on real problems that affect millions. If you lead a program, line up projects and hiring plans now. If you're a candidate, apply early and bring proof of work.
Your membership also unlocks:
