US government launches Tech Force to bring in digital talent
The US has announced a new cross-government initiative to “recruit top technologists to modernise the federal government”.
Through the US Tech Force, an initial cohort of around 1,000 technology specialists will be hired by agencies on two-year employment contracts, with annual salaries expected to be in the range of $150,000 to $200,000. The primary focus will be on early-career technologists. It will also include some experienced managing engineers from private sector firms, many of whom will be on temporary leave of absence from their regular roles.
Participants will have the opportunity to work on “the most mission-critical projects” across departments including the Departments of State, Treasury, War (rebranded from Defense), Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security. Projects will include AI implementation, application development, data modernisation, and digital service delivery.
Private sector partner companies will provide technical training resources, mentorship programmes, nominate employees to do stints of government service, and commit to consider Tech Force participants for employment after their two years.
GGF research study: From Lagging to Leading: The Opportunity for a Breakthrough in U.S. Government Digital Service Delivery. The report is based on interviews with 13 members of the US Federal Government’s CIO Council.
‘Elite corps’
“Tech Force is America’s elite corps for the AI revolution, mobilising the nation’s best minds to lead on digital frontlines, defend our global edge and secure our future in technological leadership,” said US federal chief information officer Gregory Barbaccia. “It is a call to service for our nation’s best technologists to join a mission-critical corps that will ensure our competitiveness, modernise our government infrastructure and lead the world in innovation from education to medicine.”
Barbaccia has stated that “fixing the talent pipeline” is one of his top three priorities, alongside buying smarter and securing the foundations.
The initiative is being led by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the General Services Administration (GSA), the White House Office of Science Technology and Policy (OSTP), and agency leaders across the government.
“This is a clarion call,” OPM director Scott Kupor said. “If you want to help your country lead in the age of rapid technological advancement, we need you. Tech Force offers the chance to build and lead projects of national importance, while creating powerful career opportunities in both public service and the private sector. I am grateful to president Trump for prioritising America’s technology leadership and empowering a cross-government effort to close our nation’s critical talent gaps.”
Initial private sector partners listed on the Tech Force website include Amazon Web Services, Apple, Google Public Sector, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, OpenAI, Oracle, Palantir, Uber and Zoom.
Read more: US state department looking to agentic AI to ‘take action’ for officials, CIO says
‘Distinct’ tech initiative
The announcement comes after reductions in force under the Trump administration and its Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative. These included closing the 18F digital services agency, which was part of the General Services Administration, and reducing the size of the United States DOGE Service (USDS), which Trump had renamed from its former title of the United States Digital Service.
The Tech Force website states that the programme does not have a political mission.
“All work is non-partisan and centered on serving the American public through better technology,” it says.
It adds that: “While Tech Force will coordinate across all of government, it is distinct from other technology initiatives within government, including the United States DOGE Service and programmes managed by GSA. These programmes differ in their mandates, structure, required skillsets, and ability to convert to the competitive service.”
About Sarah Wray
Sarah has over 15 years’ experience as a journalist with a specialism in the public sector and topics such as digitalisation and climate action. Sarah was formerly the editor of Cities Today and Smart Cities World, as well as a specialist video-based publication in the aerospace sector. She has also written for publications including Smart Cities Dive, Mobile Europe, Mobile World Live and Computer Weekly.
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