Master Scheduler

Job Description

ABOUT DEFCON AI

RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF DISRUPTION. DEFCON AI is an insights company that leverages artificial intelligence, mathematical optimization, data analytics, and software engineering for resilient optimization of complex systems.

In today’s dynamically changing world, DEFCON AI’s technology aligns outcomes with operational goals, better decision making, and empowers customers to anticipate assess, and mitigate the impacts of disruptions.

About the Role

We are seeking a Master Scheduler to establish and own scheduling discipline across complex software programs that span commercial Agile development and government/defense contracts.

This role is responsible for building, maintaining, and evolving Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) that accurately reflect program scope, dependencies, vendor integrations, milestones, and contractual deliverables. You will serve as a key development partner and educator, helping teams understand how large, industry  standard programs plan, measure progress, and communicate status in ways that government customers value.

This is not a project coordinator role. The position operates at the program level, emphasizing strategic planning and cross-functional alignment across engineering, delivery, and government execution.

Key Responsibilities

Integrated Master Scheduling  (Primary Focus)

• Develop, maintain, and own Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) for complex software programs
• Translate program requirements, statements of work, and technical scope into executable schedules with clear dependencies and critical paths
• Maintain schedule realism across:
  • Agile software development
  • Multi‑vendor integrations
  • Multi-sub-contractor integrations
  • Government driven milestones and reviews
• Identify schedule risks, resource constraints, and dependency conflicts early and communicate them clearly to leadership

Agile + Defense Delivery Integration

• Bridge commercial Agile delivery practices with government program expectations
• Align sprint level execution with IMS level milestones and contractual deliverables
• Help teams understand how Agile artifacts (backlogs, increments, releases) map to:
• Government schedules
• Milestone reviews
• Earned value or progress reporting (as applicable)

Government Contracts & Deliverables

• Support defense contracts by mapping:
  • Requirements
  • Deliverables
  • Reviews
  • Artifacts
  • Timelines into an integrated, traceable schedule
• Partner with program leadership to ensure schedules support compliance, audits, and customer reporting expectations
• Help teams anticipate what government customers look for in schedule credibility and execution discipline

Vendor & Cross Program Integration

• Integrate schedules across:
  • Internal development teams
  • External vendors and subcontractors
  • Customer provided dependencies
• Ensure handoffs, dependencies, and integration points are explicitly captured and tracked
• Act as the single source of truth for program timelines

Tools, Standards & Enablement

• Own or help select the IMS tooling strategy (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or equivalent)
• Establish scheduling standards, conventions, and best practices
• Educate teams on:
  • How large programs use IMS tools
  • Why certain structures and artifacts matter
  • How to use schedules to make decisions (not just report status)

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in program scheduling, program planning, or large‑scale project delivery
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining Integrated Master Schedules for complex programs
• Strong background supporting large commercial Agile software development efforts
• Experience working with:
  • Multiple vendors
  • Cross‑functional engineering teams
  • Complex dependency networks
• Experience supporting government or defense contracts, including understanding of deliverables, milestones, and reporting expectations

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or similar IMS platforms, and associated ecosystems
• Experience supporting DoD or federal acquisition programs
• Familiarity with:
  • Requirements traceability
  • Milestone driven delivery models
  • Government reviews and reporting artifacts
• Active or prior DoD security clearance
• Experience educating or coaching teams on program planning best practices

What Success Looks Like

• Program schedules are realistic, integrated, and trusted by leadership
• Engineering teams understand how their work maps to contractual milestones
• Schedule risks are surfaced early, not discovered at the last minute
• Leadership and customers can clearly see progress, dependencies, and impacts
• The organization builds durable scheduling discipline that scales with program size

Why This Role Is Unique

• You will shape how the company plans and executes programs, not just manage dates
• You’ll bridge the gap between modern Agile delivery and government execution expectations
• You’ll serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, engineers, and customers
• This role has real influence over how work gets done

What We Offer:

• A fully remote, results-based environment
• Competitive salary, bonus, and equity package
• 100% employer paid, comprehensive health insurance including medical, dental, and vision for you and your family
• Unlimited PTO, with your manager’s approval
• Flexible work environment where you manage your work day
• 14 weeks of fully-paid parental leave

Salary Range: $100,000-$150,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience, skills, and other factors.

We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer: You’ll receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

Applicant Data Disclosure

By submitting an application, you acknowledge that Defcon AI uses third-party service providers to facilitate its recruitment and hiring processes. These providers include applicant tracking systems, candidate verification platforms, and fraud detection tools (collectively, “Hiring Platforms”). Your application materials, including your résumé, cover letter, work samples, responses to application questions, and any other information you submit, may be transmitted to and processed by these Hiring Platforms for the following purposes:

• Managing and administering your application throughout the hiring process;
• Verifying the accuracy and authenticity of application materials, including by cross-referencing information you provide against publicly available sources and proprietary databases;
• Identifying indicators of potentially fraudulent, fabricated, or materially misleading application content, including but not limited to discrepancies between submitted materials and publicly available professional profiles, geographic anomalies, and fabricated work histories.

Applications that are flagged through this process as containing indicators of fraud or material misrepresentation may be declined from further consideration. If you have questions about the status of your application or the evaluation process, please [email protected].

Defcon AI requires its Hiring Platform providers to process your information solely for the purposes described above and in accordance with applicable law. Your information will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill these purposes and any applicable legal obligations, after which it will be deleted in accordance with Defcon AI’s data retention policies.

For more information about how your data is used, please refer to our Privacy Policy and Applicant Privacy Notice .