The USDS doesn’t hire people through normal channels or for permanent hire, but hires people who have experience in the private sector and want to change the government. While it’s true that they hire significantly more junior people than before the trump admin (if you compare things like years of experience pre USDS then and now, or pre USDS salaries then and now), it’s still often experienced people who want to make a difference for a short period of time before leaving government.
FWIW, I don't know if there's a significant difference along a senior vs junior axis. I think the set of people willing to consider gov employment at USDS certainly (and reasonably) changed in after the 2016 election, so USDS lost access to some talent, but there is good work happening now.
Most importantly, USDS is seen as non-partisan, and so has been able to have good impact in both administrations.
