Ep 136: OPM Director Scott Kupor on Launching the U.S. Tech Force & Bringing Merit Back to Government - Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist Recap

Podcast: Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist

Published: 2025-12-18

Duration: 33 min

Summary

Scott Kupor, the director of the Office of Personnel Management, discusses the launch of the U.S. Tech Force aimed at recruiting engineers to tackle complex government challenges. The initiative seeks to improve hiring practices and attract young talent to modernize government operations.

What Happened

In this episode, Scott Kupor shares insights on the newly launched U.S. Tech Force, a project designed to bring at least 1,000 engineers into government roles. This initiative addresses two significant challenges: a shortage of modern software developers and a lack of early career talent, particularly among those under 30. Kupor highlights that currently, only 7% of the federal workforce is early career, compared to 22% in the private sector, stressing the urgent need to recruit younger professionals who are in tune with modern technologies like AI.

Kupor explains that the message to potential recruits has historically been about 'lifetime employment' in government roles, which he finds unappealing. Instead, he advocates for a narrative that emphasizes solving real-world issues and tackling complex problems that will significantly impact millions of lives. By changing the recruitment approach, he aims to attract talented individuals who are eager to contribute to meaningful work, even if only for a few years before transitioning to the private sector.

The episode also delves into the internal discussions that led to the Tech Force's creation. Kupor notes that once he pitched the idea within the White House, it gained traction, thanks in part to the support of key figures like Susie Wiles. With the Tech Force now officially launched, Kupor expresses optimism about the potential for recruiting top talent and fostering a new generation of problem solvers within the government.

Key Insights

• The U.S. Tech Force aims to recruit 1,000 engineers to address government challenges and modernize technology use.
• There is a significant shortage of early career talent in the federal workforce, with only 7% under the age of 30.
• The traditional recruitment message of 'lifetime employment' is ineffective; a focus on challenging work can attract more talent.
• The support from key White House figures was crucial in moving the Tech Force initiative forward.