The U.S. government is launching an initiative for early recruitment and workforce development to draw more personnel in technology and artificial intelligence fields into the public sector, as part of the Trump administration’s endeavors to update governmental systems and maintain a lead in the worldwide tech race.
According to Chip Roy, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management heading the program, the debut of the “U.S. Tech Force” aims to bridge the technical and professional skill gaps in government. This undertaking occurs amid a broader contest for AI proficiency, where tech corporations are offering substantial compensation and other perks to attract top engineers and researchers.
OPM intends to hire a starting cohort of 1,000 junior software developers, data scientists, project managers, and AI experts who will be placed across federal agencies for a two-year assignment. It will also cooperate with tech firms to encourage young managers to take sabbaticals from the private sector and join the Tech Force.
“If you are considering a long-term vocation in technology, there is no greater or more intricate collection of challenges we face than in the federal government,” Roy told reporters prior to the program’s announcement on Monday.
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Members of the new U.S. Tech Force will work directly with individual departments on projects defined by agency leadership. OPM will conduct the initial screening and technical assessment of applicants, subsequently recommending pre-approved candidates to agencies for final interviews and hiring determinations.
Applications commence on Monday, and OPM expects the majority of the initial intake members to be assigned to posts in the first quarter of 2026.
Tech Force members are anticipated to work on tasks such as integrating advanced AI into drones and other defense weaponry at the Department of Defense, creating the Trump Accounts platform at the IRS, and employing AI to enhance intelligence gathering at the State Department, among other efforts, according to Roy.
Over the two-year period, OPM plans to invite Silicon Valley CEOs and other executives to conduct speaker events. It will also partner with approximately 25 technology companies, offering mentorship and career planning guidance to group members. Microsoft, Adobe, Amazon, Meta, and xAI are among the firms that have joined the program as collaborators.
The program will culminate in a career fair where participants will gain visibility into opportunities in both the public and private realms. Salaries for Technical Corps members are projected to range from about \$130,000 to \$195,000.
“There is an incredible contest for talent happening in these areas… So part of what we want to do is be competitive on pay,” Roy stated. He added that he wishes prospective candidates to “understand that by doing this, they will learn a great deal, tackle truly difficult problems, and then ultimately have the option to return to the private sector if they choose, and certainly have the opportunity to maximize their financial potential.”
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