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 Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) is the single National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) entity that operates all NRO systems to deliver intelligence value to national decision makers, the Intelligence Community, and warfighters. We continually innovate how we deliver, employ, and integrate NRO systems to solve the most challenging intelligence problems while identifying and defining critical future capabilities. We defend and fight through crisis and conflict in concert with U.S. and allied mission partners.

  As part of the MOD team, you will...

  ... be empowered to provide direct mission impact to end users

  ... have global reach

  ... have the ability to do hands-on work with cutting-edge technology

  ... have the ability to work with all NRO acquisitions and systems

  ... work in a truly dynamic, rewarding environment

  ... gain invaluable experience for future assignments

   

  The Systems Engineering and Integration Office (SEIO) is an integrated, joint office that is comprised of Communications Systems Directorate (COMM), Management Services and Operations Directorate (MS&O), and Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) resources at ADF-E. The SEIO team includes a mixture of civilian, military, and contractor resources. SEIO executes the foundational System Engineering & Integration (SE&I) processes and oversees SE&I activities for applications, IT, networks, satellites, antennas, data centers, and facilities. The primary function of SEIO is ensuring seamless integration of new missions, modified capabilities, and/or enhancements into ADF-E operations.

  SEIO is seeking a high-performing, team-oriented, and agile self-starter to serve as the Systems Engineering Branch Chief. The selected individual will be responsible for implementing and administering system engineering and integration processes, while ensuring sound judgment is exercised in evaluating new projects, timelines, budgets, and projected impacts to current missions. The candidate must be mission focused, possess strong technical skills, and be comfortable working in a team environment. Collaboration is key to SEIO mission success, to ensure that new requirements/efforts are addressed and ready for transition to operations, as such the candidate must possess outstanding communication and organizational skills.

  The System Engineering Branch Chief is a supervisory position. In addition the Branch Chief will managing systems engineering activities, future concepts, and tech insertion as well as developing and maintaining requirements and statements of work; negotiating and administering project documentation and maintenance activities; providing project accountability; and supporting the development of new projects. The Branch Chief will demonstrate exceptional creativity and agility in implementing process improvements and best practices across SEIO and ADF-E.

  The selected applicant will collaborate with a team of staff officers (Civilian and Military), SETA, and support contractors and will be expected to create an inclusive, collaborative environment where diversity of ideas and agility are encouraged and celebrated. The selected individual will have the opportunity to pursue both internal and external training and development opportunities. While it is expected that the functions described above will be the principal ones for the position, the dynamic nature of Site requires some flexibility for changes corresponding with the evolving needs of the mission.

  (U) While it is expected that the functions described above will be the principal ones for the position, the dynamic nature of Site requires some flexibility for changes corresponding with the evolving needs of the mission.

  The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GG-15), General Engineers, 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 May 14, 2024 to May 28, 2024. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on May 28, 2024.

  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  

   

• This position manages the day-to-day Systems Engineering and integration required to help enable operations in overhead tasking, collection, processing and dissemination.

• Overarching responsibilities of the position are to lead and identify mission priorities to ensure sustained situational awareness on Risks, Issues, and Opportunities (RIOs).

• Organizes, manages, and technically and administratively supervises subordinate employees. Performs the full range of supervisory duties to include performance evaluations, leave approval, employee counseling, professional development, and recommendation for promotions, reassignments, and disciplinary actions.

• The selectee’s technical expertise will be utilized to work closely with ADF-E Divisions, IC partners, and NRO partners such as GED, MOD, COMM, MS&O, SED, and the IC community to meet critical SIGINT, OPIR, and other IC/DoD mission requirements.

  What You Need 

   

• Baccalaureate or Graduate Degree: technical or scientific field such as engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, operations research, engineering management, or computer science

• Demonstrated ability to manage technical initiatives and prioritize tasks.

• Ability to lead in a dynamic working environment with both government and contractor personnel.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to deal effectively with customers at all levels and to build partnerships with stakeholders and project teams.

• Strong critical thinking skills, including an ability to think strategically and creatively problem solve with a bias for action and commitment to outstanding quality and customer service.

• Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks with competing deadlines maintaining attention to detail.

• Experience in Systems Engineering and Project Management.

  Highly Desired 

   

• Masters's Degree:  physical science, engineering, or mathematics.

• Resource management skills.

• Project management skills (includes internal and external experience).

• Experience in reviewing RFCs for technical soundness, cost, and schedule.

• Experience collaborating with the Mission Partners and ADF-E Leadership to secure resources to integrate GEOINT applications, software, and hardware for ground systems and communications networks. 

• Understanding of NRO organization, activities, and relationships with respect to the rest of the Intelligence Community --Knowledge of NRO deployed systems.

• Technical understanding of GEOINT Mission systems.

  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. 

  Rotational Assignment

  This position is a 2-year assignment, and requires the selected officer to sign an assignment agreement. At the conclusion of the assignment, the position's occupant will be required to find another acceptable assignment within the NRO; which may include relocating to NRO Headquarters, Chantilly, VA.

  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) .

  Location

  Springfield, VA

  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/

  2024 STEM salary range:

  GG-15: $163,017 – $191,900. 

  **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 – 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 (https://dcips.defense.gov/) 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   (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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