Job Description

WE ARE THE NRO
For sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.

Learn more at NRO.gov .

Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO

• You must be a U.S. Citizen
• You must be 18 years of age or older
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations

Where You Will Work 
The Deputy Chief Engineer (Deputy CE) serves as the principal assistant to the Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Systems Acquisition Directorate Chief Engineer (CE), orchestrating day-to-day operations and leading critical systems engineering initiatives. The SIGINT CE is accountable to D/SIGINT for guiding SIGINT-wide processes to plan and execute the current and future architecture to include requirements development and management, risk management, interface management, design verification, mission assurance, system launch and activation, and long-term operations support.  SIGINT CE is also responsible for foreign engagements.  The SIGINT CE orchestrates integration and systems engineering activities both across SIGINT SPOs and also cross-tower with other Directorates in support of successful end-to-end systems capabilities. SIGINT’s next generation architecture requires increased CE function and focus due to the required level of integration.

The Deputy CE supports the CE across all core functions, including acquisition support, international affairs, corporate business processes and planning, and systems engineering within the SIGINT Directorate and across the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), taking lead of many related initiatives. Currently, the Deputy CE leads an Industry Consortium that provides critical input into next generation systems, interfaces, and standards utilizing modern digital engineering approaches.  The Deputy CE functions as COTR for this and other contracts as needed. The Deputy CE also serves as the SIGINT Resilience Manager to the Resilience Integrated Program Office (RIPO). Success in this dynamic environment requires expert systems engineering knowledge, exceptional organizational capability, and the ability to communicate complex technical and programmatic issues concisely to senior government leadership across the NRO and IC. 

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GGS-14), General Engineer, occupational series 0801. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here .

Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

Who May Apply

• This position is open to the public.
• Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
• Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.
• The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
• This position may not qualify for the appointment of a reemployed federal annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.

What You Will Be Doing  

• Serves as deputy to the SIGINT CE in managing systems engineering and integration activities for SIGINT systems.
• Provides oversight and support for NRO and SIGINT corporate business processes, reviews, and planning activities.
• Coordinates with the SIGINT CE, Technical Director, and Chief Architect to produce and deliver clear, consistent, and synergistic messaging of SIGINT's current and future requirements and efforts.
• Leads an Industry Consortium providing critical input into systems, interfaces, and standards utilizing modern digital engineering approaches.
• Enables digital engineering team by advocating for Enterprise tool improvements and fixes.
• Helps establish and orchestrate SIGINT-wide systems engineering processes to govern multiple SPOs and enterprise components acquiring new architecture elements, ensuring architectural integrity while enabling required integration and agile delivery.
• Coordinates with SIGINT SPOs for the development of advanced concept program plans, maturation of new ideas, and related feasibility assessments, ensuring all essential systems engineering actions are identified, planned, and accomplished.
• Helps lead development, delivery, and assessment of plans, requirements, standards, specifications, and related technical documentation.
• Serves as the SIGINT Resilience Manager to the Resilience Integrated Program Office (RIPO).
• Establishes and represents the SIGINT Directorate in NRO and IC/Department of War (DoW) acquisition and engineering meetings and Integrated Product Team activities.
• Represents the SIGINT CE in engagements with senior NRO leadership across all Directorates and Offices, ensuring alignment on priorities and architectures.
• Serves as technical liaison to other NRO Directorates and Offices for acquisition and engineering efforts, ensuring multiple overhead SIGINT collection segments integrate into the NRO end-to-end overhead architecture.
• Coordinates with the NRO Office of Policy & Strategy to ensure a unified NRO corporate perspective when engaging with international partners on SIGINT equities
• Works closely with OP&S in development of policy documentation for applicable foreign partner agreements
• Develops and implements systems engineering policy to support cross-functional teams and project managers across the organization, ensuring programs are managed within established frameworks, timelines, and budgets.
• Establishes and revises policies, procedures, mission objectives, and organizational design to eliminate work barriers and enhance mission accomplishment.

What You Need ​​​​​​​

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical initiatives and prioritize tasks in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead integrated teams of government personnel and contractor support.
• Demonstrated experience with end-to-end NRO systems engineering practices and processes.
• Demonstrated effective communication skills (speaking, writing, and listening) with the ability to convey complex technical and programmatic issues concisely to senior leadership.
• Demonstrated record of excellence and ability to perform effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operations that govern, interface with, and/or influence the systems acquisition process and integrated life cycle management in support of the mission.
• In-depth knowledge of the concepts, theories, and techniques of engineering disciplines, as well as knowledge of operations research, physics, mathematics, and intelligence research.
• Skill in interpersonal relationships to lead and collaborate with project/program teams in the implementation of major programs and Enterprise systems.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited university in a STEM field.
• Demonstrated experience leading SIGINT systems acquisition and/or development activities.
• Extensive knowledge and background in NRO acquisitions and of IC and DoW acquisition policy and management.
• Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) Level I certification.
• Experience developing policy and procedures in a government acquisition environment.

Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above.  Experience must be reflected in your resume.  

Other Information

• Overtime Statement:  MAY be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Travel Statement:  MAY be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
• Financial Disclosure:  MAY be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) coded positions: If selected for a DAWIA coded position, the incumbent must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) no later than 24 months after accepting this position. Individual shall maintain, at a minimum 80 continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website .
• Geographic Mobility Agreement: MAY be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.
• Information Assurance (IA): Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment.
• Emergency Essential: Certain positions MAY be deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

Location
Chantilly, VA 20151
Telework is not available and you must be able to work at the specified location(s).

Salary
This position meets the qualifications for Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Targeted Local Market Supplement (TLMS) STEM pay for NRO Cadre employees and candidates as authorized by the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security’s (OUSD(I&S)).  Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM designated position. Should a Cadre employee or candidate earning STEM pay change positions within the organization, they must be assigned to another STEM qualifying position in order to continue to remain eligible for STEM pay.  Otherwise, Cadre employees and Candidates Generally would be transitioned to the DCIPS GG Pay Scale. For more information on STEM pay, visit

2026 salary range for the Washington, DC area for STEM pay: GGS-14 $148,275-$197,200

**This position is a senior level DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current federal government employees for this position. To qualify for the position, federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG – 14-15 grade level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step. Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.

Hiring Incentives
The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.

Trial Period
All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.

Veterans’ Preference
DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement.  If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to Hiring@nro.mil .

​​​​​​​Privacy Act Notice
Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974 

 

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, For contractors, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Trial period, Afternoon shift

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