Senior Technical Lead - Mission Modernization

About Agile Defense

At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges require new solutions. That's why we always look to the future and embrace change with an unmovable spirit and the courage to build for what comes next.

Our vision is to bring adaptive innovation to support our nation's most important missions through the seamless integration of advanced technologies, elite minds, and unparalleled agility-leveraging a foundation of speed, flexibility, and ingenuity to strengthen and protect our nation's vital interests.

Requisition #: 1632

Job Title: Senior Technical Lead - Mission Modernization

Location: Honolulu, HI

Clearance Level: Secret, Must Have Clearance to Start

Job Description

Agile Defense is seeking a Senior Technical Lead to support mission-focused software modernization efforts within a forward operational environment supporting Department of War stakeholders in the INDOPACOM theater. This role will serve as an embedded technical modernization lead working directly alongside operational users, mission partners, and technical stakeholders to help accelerate modernization initiatives, improve delivery outcomes, and support software-enabled mission capabilities in complex operational environments.

This is a hands-on modernization and mission integration role focused on operational problem-solving, stakeholder engagement, and execution support across fast-moving mission environments. The Senior Technical Lead will help bridge operational needs, technical implementation, and modernization strategy across initiatives involving agile software delivery, DevSecOps enablement, cloud-native adoption, operational data integration, and mission-focused technology solutioning.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical leadership and modernization experience with operational awareness, stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to operate effectively in ambiguous and rapidly evolving mission environments. They are comfortable working directly with operational stakeholders, translating mission challenges into actionable modernization efforts, and driving practical delivery outcomes alongside distributed technical and acquisition teams.

As part of Agile Defense's broader modernization ecosystem, this role will operate in close coordination with distributed engineering and acquisition modernization teams supporting mission-focused initiatives across geographically dispersed operational environments.

Education and Background

• 10+ years of experience across software engineering, software delivery, systems integration, platform engineering, and/or defense modernization environments.
• 3+ years in a hands-on technical leadership role supporting software modernization or mission-focused technology initiatives

Years of Experience

10 years

Required Skills

• Strong understanding of modern software delivery practices including agile development, DevSecOps, CI/CD, cloud-native engineering, API integration, and secure software delivery principles
• Experience operating within complex operational, government, or highly regulated environments
• Ability to translate operational challenges and stakeholder needs into executable technical strategies and measurable delivery outcomes
• Experience working across operational stakeholders, acquisition organizations, and technical delivery teams in fast-moving mission environments
• Proven ability to stand up new initiatives, operational capabilities, or modernization efforts from concept through execution
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional leadership skills

Preferred Skills

• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• Experience supporting software modernization initiatives within Combatant Command, joint, or operational defense environments
• Familiarity with modern defense software acquisition or rapid capability delivery approaches
• Experience supporting command-and-control, operational data integration, or mission software environments
• Familiarity with secure cloud delivery models, DevSecOps enablement, and modern deployment practices within regulated environments
• Experience working with software factories, innovation organizations, startups, or non-traditional technology teams
• Exposure to AI/ML-enabled workflows, mission-focused software delivery, or data-centric modernization efforts preferred

Working Conditions

On-Site

$210,000 - $250,000 a year

Our Core Values

Employees of Agile Defense are our number one priority, and the importance we place on our culture here is fundamental. Our culture is alive and evolving, but it always stays true to its roots. Here, you are valued as a family member, and we believe that we can accomplish great things together. Agile Defense has been highly successful in the past few years due to our employees and the culture we create together.


What makes us Agile? We call it the 6Hs, the values that define our culture and guide everything we do. Together, these values infuse vibrancy, integrity, and a tireless work ethic into advancing the most important national security and critical civilian missions. It's how we show up every day. It's who we are.

• Happy - Be Infectious. Happiness multiplies and creates a positive and connected environment where motivation and satisfaction have an outsized effect on everything we do.
• Helpful - Be Supportive. Being helpful is the foundation of teamwork, resulting in a supportive atmosphere where collaboration flourishes, and collective success is celebrated.
• Honest - Be Trustworthy. Honesty serves as our compass, ensuring transparent communication and ethical conduct, essential to who we are and the complex domains we support.
• Humble - Be Grounded. Success is not achieved alone, humility ensures a culture of mutual respect, encouraging open communication, and a willingness to learn from one another and take on any task.
• Hungry - Be Eager. Our hunger for excellence drives an insatiable appetite for innovation and continuous improvement, propelling us forward in the face of new and unprecedented challenges.
• Hustle - Be Driven. Hustle is reflected in our relentless work ethic, where we are each committed to going above and beyond to advance the mission and achieve success.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.