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 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:
SIGINT is seeking an outstanding program engineer and leader. You will be responsible for leading exciting new acquisition activities for the Global Core High-Band program and other SIGINT technologies. You will be responsible for overseeing the work of a large government and contractor team conducting space systems engineering and integration activities to include major design reviews, requirement management and verification, risk identification and mitigation, technical analysis supporting design trades, CONOPs development, advanced studies, acquisition activities, system activation and calibration, ground segment integration and interface management with external segments. Incumbent will guide technical aspects of contract actions, proposal evaluation, specification changes, technical tradeoffs, corrective actions, workarounds, and the evaluation of contractors' performance. You will also interface with industry and government team members to resolve space segment system engineering issues.
The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for full performance level (GGS 12-13), non-supervisory Technical Specialists, occupational series 0801. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/classifying-general-schedule-positions/occupationalhandbook.pdf) .
Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.
This is a full-time position that is open from April 23, 2026 to May 24, 2026. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on May 24, 2026.
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 DoWI 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 DoWI 1400.25 Volume 300.
What You Will Be Doing
Serve as the project engineer responsible for design, fabrication, integration and test of payloads as they move through the system acquisition process;
Serve as the Interface and lead industry and government support team to resolve payload segment development issues and accomplish delivery;
Prepare, provide, and evaluate conventional plans, designs, design specifications, and related documentation;
Determine and/or execute actions for a wide range of activities involving combinations of complex features and technologies;
Provides findings and recommendations to senior colleagues and/or agency officials responsible for broad program execution;
Evaluate the value and applicability of new or improved technology, strategies, trends, or applications;
Serves as a technical authority and/or Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR)
Manage issues and risks to balance lifecycle cost, schedule and technical performance;
Conduct technical analyses to demonstrate desired product performance/specifications;
Assess project and program effectiveness;
Participate during payload/space vehicle integration, payload calibration and launch operations;
Serve as an authoritative expert and consultant on a broad program, a highly specialized field, or for assignments which affects national or international interests.
What You Need
Program Management and technical management expertise are highly desirable (i.e., cost, performance, schedule, and technical reporting) to accomplish the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Early acquisition lifecycle experience focusing on RFI evaluation, market research and RFP development processes are also highly desirable.
Knowledge of DoW and Intelligence Community (IC) organizations, missions, relevant policies, and processes.
Sound understanding of intelligence satellite systems.
Expertise in advanced multidisciplinary engineering or related engineering/technical discipline, concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment sufficient to apply experimental theories, principles, and concepts to program development, execution, and advisory services.
Demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, and management skills to conceptualize and effectively lead complex analytic projects with limited supervision; ability to work collectively to find a consensus solution when views differ among agencies, and ability to effectively work independently and within a team or collaborative 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.
Applicants submitting a resume that exceeds the two-page limit per OPM Memorandum, "Merit Hiring Plan," dated May 29, 2025, https://www.opm.gov/chcoc/latest-memos/merit-hiring-plan.pdf will not be eligible for consideration. For more information regarding resume writing, see "Guidance for Applicants on 2-Page Resume" and visit the Resume Help Center (https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include) .
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 (https://www.dau.edu/training/career-development/logistics/blog/DAWIA-Certification-Requirements) .
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 https://dcips.defense.gov/Human-Resources/Compensation/
2026 salary range for the Washington, DC area:
GGS-12 $117,753-$160,933
GGS-13 $132,751-$181,428
**This position is a full-performance 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 GGS 12-13 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 DoWI 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 (https://dcips.defense.gov/) will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.
Veterans' Preference
DoW 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 DoW 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 (including pregnancy and gender identity), 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.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants (https://www.eeoc.gov/federal/fed_employees/index.cfm)
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 (https://www.justice.gov/opcl/privacy-act-1974)
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