Scaling AI at the War Department

Jake is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology Foundations. In this role Jake serves as the principal advisor to the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (USW(R&E)) on matters related to S&T, developmental prototyping, and experimentation, acting as a crucial link between fundamental scientific discovery and its strategic application in defense. Jake served as the Senior Technical Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research, Development and Acquisition (ASN RD&A). In this role Jake was responsible for implementation of Modular Open System Architecture (MOSA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as well as rapid acquisition in the Department of Navy and the Marine Corps. Jake previously served as Director of Advanced Capabilities for the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) Program. He was responsible for developing and integrating critical new technologies in conjunction with the US Army and DARPA into the CPS platform with an annual budget of over $60M. Jake served as a Program Manager at the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Unmanned Systems transitioning critical technology to the warfighter and Program Lead for Team Submarine Project Turing rapidly introducing AI into the undersea domain with a total budget of $140M. Jake served as the Assistant Program Manager (APM) for Submarine Combat Future Development and the Payload Control System (PCS) in NAVSEA PEO Submarine with an annual budget of over $30M. His portfolio as APM included all Payload control and integration including unmanned vehicles, missiles and torpedoes for the BYG-1 Combat Control System and the Common Weapon Launchers (CWL). In his future development portfolio Jake was the Program Manager for the Submarine Launched Unmanned Aerial System (SLUAS) providing command and control as well as a Virtual Twin Combat System for the US and Australian Submarine Force.

Jake served as the SEA05 System Design Manager (SDM), Technical Warrant Holder and Chief Engineer for a SCO program in the Unmanned Maritime Systems Program, PMS 406 Program Office. Jake has extensive Naval Engineering experience from with the Remote Minehunting System (RMS) as the lead software engineer and extensive submarine development and engineering experience with the BYG-1 Submarine Combat Control System.

Jake’s first job with the Department of the Navy was a CO-OP at Lockheed Martin Moorestown during his undergraduate study at Drexel University in Philadelphia spending three years working Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense in charge of test development and simulations of the combat system capability. Upon graduating Jake joined the Federal Service at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division Hydrodynamics group spending 4 years as the In Service Engineering Agent (ISEA) for the Seawolf Class Submarine Ship Control System and Data Distribution System.

Jake first came to the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in 2011 serving as the lead software engineer for the RMS and AN/AQS-20A sonar system. From 2012 to 2014 he served as lead engineer of the Submarine Weapon Control System and head of the Open Architecture initiative for the BYG-1 Submarine Combat Control System.

Jake has received several NAVSEA awards including a NAVSEA Innovation Award over his career for innovation and excellence in engineering. Jake was recognized as Engineer of the Year (2020) by ASNE and has been published by the Naval Submarine League on Combat Systems of the Future. He has a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) in Computer Engineering from Drexel University, a Master’s of Science (MS) in Systems Engineering from The George Washington University, a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maryland and is completing a Masters of Arts (MA) in Strategic Studies at the Naval War College.

Jason Schulman is a federal telecommunications executive with more than 25 years of experience modernizing mission critical networks and driving innovation across communications, cybersecurity, cloud, and emerging technologies. He has built and led high performing teams within complex, regulated environments, delivering outcomes such as large scale fiber modernization, secure cloud interconnect, and legacy to IP transitions that strengthen mission assurance for Civilian, Defense, and Intelligence agencies.

As National Vice President of Federal Sales at Lumen, Jason oversees the company’s federal business, leading go to market strategy and execution for one of the nation’s largest telecommunications providers. He partners across engineering, product, and operations to protect core federal programs, advance modernization with budget discipline, and ensure agencies maintain secure, resilient connectivity that supports mission continuity and national security priorities.

Throughout his career, Jason has guided organizations through major transformations—from post merger integration to launching specialized sales motions and modernizing procurement strategies. He previously led federal capture and proposal management, directing multi billion dollar pursuits and establishing disciplined, repeatable win strategies. Earlier leadership roles at Savvis, SAP, Exodus Communications, and AT&T give him a unique end to end perspective on technology, networks, and mission enablement.

Jason fosters inclusive, accountable cultures grounded in trust, transparency, and clarity of purpose. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Maryland, maintains an active TS/SCI clearance, and serves on the AFCEA International Board—reflecting his long standing commitment to public service and the advancement of government technology.

Lt. Col. Sam Spencer-Pittman is the Private Capital Integrator at Army FUZE.