NASA Hires New Data and Super Intelligence Officer
The agency is seeking a Senior Executive Service leader to manage enterprise AI and data strategy.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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NASA is currently accepting applications for a permanent full-time chief data and super intelligence officer based at its Washington, D.C. headquarters. The role is designed to lead the agencys enterprise data strategy and facilitate AI adoption across its various missions.
Why it matters
The position aligns with a September executive order from President Donald Trump requiring federal agencies to adopt this specific title. It serves as a central component of the broader federal effort to integrate advanced AI and data governance into mission-critical operations.
The White House has pledged $5 billion for the Genesis Mission, while the Department of Energy previously invested over $320 million in AI models and robotics in December 2025. These figures support the broader $76 billion IT funding request for fiscal year 2027.
The players
NASA
The independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the civil space program and aeronautics research.
Donald Trump
The current President of the United States who issued an executive order requiring agencies to standardize the new officer title.
Kevin Murphy
He currently serves as the acting chief AI officer and acting chief data officer at the agency.
Sean Gallagher
He serves as the permanent chief information officer at NASA.
The details
Applicants for the Senior Executive Service role must provide a two-page resume detailing their technical and executive qualifications. The successful candidate will require sensitive compartmented information clearance and must submit mandatory financial disclosure filings.
Timeline
December 2025: The Department of Energy invested over $320 million for AI models.
June 2026: Sean Gallagher was appointed as the permanent CIO.
July 2026: NASA officially joined the Genesis Mission.
October 29, 2026: The application window closes for the new role.
The Tech Race
The introduction of this specialized role represents a pivot toward centralized AI oversight within federal agencies to compete globally in machine intelligence. It displaces legacy information technology structures by prioritizing high-level data and super intelligence governance.
While the role is administrative, it shapes how the agency allocates resources for future research and technology deployments. This internal strategy shift influences the pace at which cutting-edge AI and data-driven solutions move from development into federal aerospace applications.
The takeaway
This recruitment reflects a significant federal commitment to standardizing how large agencies manage and deploy super intelligence technologies. Interested candidates should ensure their executive experience documentation is concise and tailored to high-level federal requirements.
What happens next
The application window for the chief data and super intelligence officer position closes on October 29, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the national shift toward integrated AI, explore our Artificial Intelligence coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Executive Gov.
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