The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is giving federal employees a long-awaited technology upgrade. According to Government Executive, the agency plans to launch redesigned federal pay tables before the end of 2026, making it easier for employees to search, navigate, and understand their salary information. OPM Chief Information Officer Adam Starr said the current pay tables receive approximately 14 million visits annually but have seen few significant updates since 2011. The new system will initially launch in beta, allowing employees to use the updated interface or return to the existing version while OPM collects feedback.
But the modernization effort goes beyond salary information. OPM is also expanding artificial intelligence adoption across federal agencies through its SuperIntelligence Governance and Adoption Program (SI GAP), which helps agencies incorporate AI into everyday operations. The agency has already introduced an AI-powered tool to assist with retirement services calls and is encouraging agencies to use AI to accelerate federal hiring. With retirement claims, onboarding, and workforce management all receiving attention, OPM is looking to reduce administrative workloads while maintaining security safeguards. For federal employees and job seekers, these changes could eventually mean faster processes and easier access to essential workforce information.
Contract Opportunities: Shift5
Arlington, VA-based defense technology company Shift5 has secured a five-year, $99 million contract to support the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative. The award expands Shift5’s role from an early prototyping partner to a technology provider supporting the Army’s broader modernization efforts. Shift5’s operational intelligence platform collects data from military vehicles and weapons systems, turning it into actionable information that helps soldiers identify potential problems, monitor equipment performance, and improve mission readiness. The $99 million represents the contract’s maximum potential value, with funding determined through individual orders.
Shift5 first joined the NGC2 effort in February 2026 through a partnership with Anduril Industries, integrating its technology with Anduril’s Lattice software and participating in Army exercises including Ivy Sting and Project Convergence. The latest contract comes as the Army works to connect commercial technologies, artificial intelligence, and operational data into a more unified command-and-control system. For Shift5, the award represents another opportunity to expand its footprint in defense technology while supporting the Army’s efforts to improve battlefield awareness, maintenance planning, and operational decision-making.
Key Employer in the Cleared Industry: Maximus
Ready to put your cleared technology experience to work on missions that matter? Explore careers at Maximus across cybersecurity, cloud computing, software and systems engineering, data, infrastructure and other technology disciplines, where you can apply your expertise to challenging projects that support critical government missions.
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Cleared Opportunities
The federal government is looking for experienced technology professionals to help modernize its systems, and the salaries could reach nearly $200,000. According to a new USAJOBS announcement, the U.S. Tech Force is recruiting IT Software Engineers at the GS-14 level, offering annual salaries ranging from $125,776 to $197,200. The initiative brings technology talent into federal agencies, including the General Services Administration, Social Security Administration, Office of Personnel Management, and Departments of State, Treasury, and Health and Human Services. Multiple positions are available, with locations including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Kansas City.
Selected candidates could work on software development, cybersecurity applications, automation, and the integration of advanced intelligence tools into government operations. The positions are full-time, two-year appointments that may be extended to four years. Applicants do not need a specific degree, but they must demonstrate advanced technical competencies and relevant experience. Security clearance requirements vary by agency, and some positions may require a background investigation or clearance. The hiring process includes technical assessments and automated interviews, with applications closing October 23, 2026.
