Pentagon Launches ‘War Force’ to Hire Hundreds of AI Engineers
The Trump administration on Tuesday launched a new recruitment initiative called “War Force” aimed at hiring hundreds of software engineers and artificial intelligence (AI) specialists.
The effort, announced jointly by the Pentagon and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), is part of the administration’s broader Tech Force program, which seeks to bring more technology professionals into federal service for two-year assignments.
Officials said the initiative will recruit engineers with expertise in frontier AI, machine learning, automation and data systems to support military operations. The hires are expected to work across the War Department, including at the unit level, to develop and maintain software capabilities for the armed forces.
A War Department official told Breaking Defense that the initiative is expected to hire “hundreds” of engineers in addition to the 1,000 positions already planned under the governmentwide Tech Force program. Many of the recruits will support the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and AI Office as it implements the department’s AI Acceleration Strategy.
“Through War Force, OPM will recruit top engineering talent from across the country and connect qualified candidates with high-impact technical roles at the Department of War,” the agencies said in a joint statement.
“War Force is a call to action for patriotic forward-deployed engineers who want to serve their country and the warfighter,” Pentagon Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael said. “Executing the key tenets of the War Department’s AI Acceleration Strategy and modernizing our enterprise demand the nation’s best talent to ensure American military technological dominance for generations to come.”
According to a job posting on USAJOBS, successful applicants for “forward deployed engineer” positions could earn annual salaries of up to nearly $200,000 during their initial two-year appointments.
Appointments are initially for two years and may be extended to a maximum of four years. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and eligible for a Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
Applications are being accepted through July 10.
The launch of War Force follows other Pentagon workforce initiatives, including a cyber apprenticeship program announced in April. Pentagon Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies said last week that the apprenticeship program had already generated more than 70,000 inquiries ahead of its official launch this month.
The effort, announced jointly by the Pentagon and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), is part of the administration’s broader Tech Force program, which seeks to bring more technology professionals into federal service for two-year assignments. Launched in December 2025, Tech Force initially targeted 1,000 hires across government agencies to modernize federal systems, though it has faced challenges in meeting those goals amid broader workforce adjustments.
Officials said the initiative will recruit engineers with expertise in frontier AI, machine learning, automation and data systems to support military operations. The hires are expected to work across the War Department, including at the unit level, to develop and maintain software capabilities for the armed forces. These “forward-deployed” engineers will embed directly with operational teams, helping integrate AI into real-world missions such as autonomous systems, intelligence analysis, logistics optimization, and decision-support tools for commanders.
A War Department official told Breaking Defense that the initiative is expected to hire “hundreds” of engineers in addition to the 1,000 positions already planned under the governmentwide Tech Force program. Many of the recruits will support the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and AI Office as it implements the department’s AI Acceleration Strategy, unveiled earlier in 2026. This strategy emphasizes rapid adoption of commercial technologies, proliferation of AI across the Joint Force, and closing capability gaps exposed by recent conflicts and peer competitor advancements.
“Through War Force, OPM will recruit top engineering talent from across the country and connect qualified candidates with high-impact technical roles at the Department of War,” the agencies said in a joint statement. The program responds to a net loss of thousands of tech workers in the department since the start of the administration, creating what officials have described as “gaping holes” that must be filled to maintain momentum in AI and software modernization.
“War Force is a call to action for patriotic forward-deployed engineers who want to serve their country and the warfighter,” Pentagon Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael said. “Executing the key tenets of the War Department’s AI Acceleration Strategy and modernizing our enterprise demand the nation’s best talent to ensure American military technological dominance for generations to come.” Michael, a former Uber executive with deep Silicon Valley roots, has prioritized partnerships with commercial innovators to accelerate prototyping and deployment.
According to a job posting on USAJOBS, successful applicants for “forward deployed engineer” positions could earn annual salaries of up to nearly $200,000 during their initial two-year appointments. This competitive compensation aims to attract talent from high-paying private-sector roles at companies like those partnering in the broader Tech Force effort. Appointments are initially for two years and may be extended to a maximum of four years. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and eligible for a Secret or Top Secret security clearance. The streamlined process bypasses some traditional civil service hurdles to speed onboarding.
Applications are being accepted through July 10. Interested candidates can apply via the dedicated USAJOBS announcement linked through Tech Force channels. The launch of War Force follows other Pentagon workforce initiatives, including a cyber apprenticeship program announced in April. Pentagon Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies said last week that the apprenticeship program had already generated more than 70,000 inquiries ahead of its official launch this month.
Experts view War Force as a critical step in the U.S. effort to outpace adversaries like China in the global AI arms race. By embedding elite engineers at every level—from headquarters to forward units—the initiative seeks not only to build advanced capabilities but also to foster a culture of rapid innovation within the military. Success could reshape how the Pentagon attracts and retains tech talent, potentially serving as a model for other agencies facing similar shortages. As geopolitical tensions rise, the program underscores the administration’s commitment to leveraging America’s technological edge as a cornerstone of national security.
