The Trump administration has announced a major new recruitment drive for its freshly minted U.S. Tech Force, promising six-figure salaries to successful applicants who do not need a traditional university degree or prior work experience.
An 'Elite Corps' for the AI Revolution
Announced on Monday, 16th December 2025, by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the programme aims to hire roughly 1,000 specialists. This "elite" team will be tasked with a critical mission: modernising the vast and often outdated technological infrastructure within the federal government's bureaucracy.
OPM Director Scott Kupor framed the initiative as a "clarion call" to the nation's technologists. "If you want to help your country lead in the age of rapid technological advancement, we need you," he stated.
The roles, which include data scientists, engineers, and technology leaders, will focus on complex challenges like data modernisation and improving digital service delivery across the public sector.
Breaking Traditional Hiring Barriers
In a significant departure from standard government hiring practices, the Tech Force explicitly removes formal education and experience prerequisites. The programme's website confirms that "a traditional degree is not required" and that "no fixed amount of work experience is required."
Instead, the administration states that "what matters most is your ability to address critical government technology challenges." The only skills deemed essential are strong problem-solving abilities and a passion for public service.
Selected candidates will receive "world-class technical training" and work alongside senior managers recruited directly from the private sector. The positions are primarily based in Washington, D.C., and are for two-year stints.
High Pay and Private Sector Partnerships
The financial incentive is substantial, with annual salaries projected to range from $150,000 to $200,000 (approximately £120,000 to £160,000). The administration is looking to fill these roles urgently.
US Federal CIO Gregory Barbaccia described the Tech Force as "America’s elite corps for the AI revolution," mobilising talent to defend the nation's competitive edge and secure its technological future.
The initiative is a key component of President Trump's AI Action Plan, unveiled in July 2025, which seeks to accelerate AI adoption in government and bolster US innovation. The programme will also lean heavily on partnerships with leading tech firms.
Companies including Adobe, Amazon Web Services, Apple, Coinbase, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Uber are already onboard, providing mentorship, training, and nominating their own staff for secondments. These firms have also pledged to consider Tech Force alumni for future private-sector employment.
The specialists will be deployed across more than a dozen key agencies, including the Departments of State, Defense, Treasury, and Energy, in what is being billed as an "unprecedented" effort to achieve cross-government coordination on technology.
