US Tech Force Recruits 1,000 AI and Tech Professionals

 

The United States government unveiled a comprehensive early-career recruitment program Monday aimed at attracting technology and artificial intelligence professionals to federal service, representing a significant push to enhance governmental technical capabilities amid intensifying global competition.

The newly established “US Tech Force” initiative seeks to bridge critical skill shortages in technology and emerging talent across federal agencies, according to Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management overseeing the program’s implementation. This strategic recruitment effort emerges as private technology corporations compete aggressively for AI specialists, offering substantial compensation packages and attractive benefits to secure top engineering and research talent.

Program Structure and Goals

The Office of Personnel Management intends to recruit an initial group of 1,000 early-career professionals spanning multiple technical disciplines, including software engineering, data science, project management, and artificial intelligence specialization. These recruits will be distributed throughout various government departments for a two-year engagement period.

The program will collaborate with technology sector employers to identify promising early-career managers willing to temporarily leave private industry positions and contribute their expertise to the Tech Force.

“If you’re thinking about, long term, a career in technology, there is no bigger and more complex set of problems than we face in the federal government,” Kupor stated during a media briefing before the program’s official announcement.

Administrative Context

The current administration has prioritized artificial intelligence integration to upgrade and streamline federal operations, including initiatives under the contentious Department of Government Efficiency. That particular effort, originally established under Elon Musk’s leadership earlier this year, has since transitioned away from operating as a centralized entity, officials confirmed recently.

President Donald Trump signed comprehensive AI action plan legislation in July, establishing policy frameworks focused on expanding domestic AI infrastructure while reducing regulatory barriers to enhance American technological competitiveness internationally.

Operational Framework

Tech Force participants will report directly to individual agencies, working on priorities established by departmental leadership. OPM will conduct preliminary screening and technical evaluation of candidates before forwarding qualified applicants to agencies for final interviews and employment decisions.

The application portal opened Monday, with OPM targeting placement of most inaugural cohort members during the first quarter of 2026.

Project Assignments

Expected assignments for Tech Force members include integrating advanced artificial intelligence systems into unmanned aerial vehicles and weapons platforms at the Department of Defense, developing the Trump Accounts digital platform for the Internal Revenue Service, and deploying AI solutions to enhance intelligence operations at the State Department, among other initiatives, Kupor detailed.

Industry Collaboration

Throughout the two-year engagement, OPM plans to organize events featuring Silicon Valley chief executives and senior technology leaders as speakers. Approximately 25 technology companies have committed to providing mentorship and career development guidance to cohort participants. Corporate partners include Microsoft, Adobe, Amazon, Meta, and xAI.

The program culminates in a career fair offering participants access to both government and private sector employment opportunities. Compensation for Tech Force members ranges from approximately $130,000 to $195,000 annually.

“There is an incredible race for talent in these areas, so part of what we want to do is be competitive on compensation,” Kupor explained. He emphasized that prospective applicants should recognize the learning opportunities and complex challenges they’ll encounter, positioning them advantageously for returning to private industry afterward if desired, with enhanced prospects for maximizing their earning potential.

The initiative represents a strategic investment in federal technical capacity while acknowledging the competitive dynamics of technology sector employment markets.