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

Federal Employee Vaccination Requirement

To ensure compliance with nationwide COVID-19 vaccine protocols, please visit NRO Apply Now to review the latest guidance.

Where You Will Work

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current opportunities for Engineers in the Geospatial Intelligence Systems Acquisition Directorate (GEOINT). GEOINT is the single National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) entity that acquires, provides launch integration, initialization, and maintenance of the national imagery space systems to bring valuable information to the warfighters, analysts, and policy makers. We have an exciting mission, focused on delivering the NRO’s top priority programs through innovative acquisition strategies and technology demonstrations. Within GEOINT, we maintain a strong MISSION FOCUS while ensuring our people have the support, training, and resources they need to be successful.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Full Performance Level (GG-12/GG-13), Technical, and 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.

This is a full-time position that is open from April 11th, 2023 to May 2nd, 2023. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on May 2nd, 2023.

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.

What You Will Be Doing

The Chief, Communications Payload Branch will manage the manufacturing, integration, testing, and delivery of the hardware and software associated with the multiple resilient communications paths of the communications subsystems to the space vehicles. The incumbent will manage acquisition products and artifacts necessary to execute contract activities, move the program through major milestones, and deliver quality flight and non-flight hardware for integration and test. The candidate must possess the initiative to plan, develop, and communicate program plans and strategies up to the director level while working closely with COTRs, SETAs, FFRDCs and prime contractors. Engineering or technical background is mandatory, experience working with satellite communications systems is highly desired. Must be willing to travel within CONUS as frequently as once or twice per month.

• Prepares, provides, and evaluates conventional plans, designs, design specifications, and related documentation.
• Determines and/or executes actions for a wide range of assignments involving combinations or complex features.
• Provides advice to senior colleagues and/or agency officials responsible for board program operations.
• Serves as a technical authority and/or Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR)
• Manages issues and risks to balance lifecycle cost, schedule, and technical performance
• Researches trends and patterns
• Develops new methods and criteria

What You Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Professional Engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
• 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 project development, execution, and advisory services.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and management skills to conceptualize and effectively lead complex analytic projects with limited supervision
• Excellent communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels of leadership and ability to give effective oral presentations at levels appropriate and tailored to specific audiences.

Desired Qualifications and Experience

• Experience working in multiple directorates or with IC agencies.
• Knowledge of DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) organizations, missions, relevant policies, and processes
• Knowledge of the NRO mission, strategic priorities, and corporate values

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

• Baccalaureate or Graduate Degree: technical or scientific field such as engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, operations research, engineering management, or computer science.
• 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.
• Geographic Mobility Agreement: MAY be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.
• Emergency Essential: Certain positions MAY be deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.
• 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.

Location

Chantilly, VA

Salary

2023 salary range for the Washington, DC area:

GG-13: $112,015 - $145,617

GG-12: $94,199 - $122,459

**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 GG-12 or GG-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 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 (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

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

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