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Location

Aurora, CO | United States

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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

NRO positions are Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) positions in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. § 1601.  Applicants must meet the NRO’s conditions of employment, to include, but not limited to:

• 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 background investigations, including polygraph examinations
• You must meet NRO fitness for employment standards

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

As the Chief Engineer managing all site systems engineering & integration, you will be responsible for tasking and supervisory oversight of a wide variety of engineering, program management, and contractor personnel. The work requires making many decisions to resolve specific complex or intricate issues and problems, developing new methods and criteria, or proposing new policies and practices.  Familiarity with NRO systems/orgs is mandatory and experience working with other agencies is desired.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GG-14 and GG-15), General Engineers, 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 January 29, 2024 to February 23, 2024.  Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on February 23, 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  

As the Chief Engineer you will be responsible for the following duties:

• Exercises supervisory personnel management responsibilities. Directs, coordinates, and oversees work through subordinate supervisors.
• Supervises two or more assigned functional units through one or more levels of subordinate supervisors. Such positions may function as a PM with delegate authority to make both organization and work assignment changes to achieve the most efficient and economical organization structure possible.
• Solves systemic management problems of major significance through staff coordination and meetings with the NRO leadership. Participates in internal and external meetings and conferences and for complex and critical fiscal and programming negotiations.
• Serves as senior program representative at high-level conferences and meetings with representatives from the DoD, other Intelligence Community partners, military services and agencies, and private industry.
• Monitors contract progress and expenditures against plans, provides necessary statistical data to management and provides strong oversight, guidance, direction, and leadership for teams of acquisition professionals to include military, civil service, SETA and FFRDC contractors developing and implementing NRO project/program requirements.
• Manages and assesses progress in assigned projects/programs, including cost, schedule and performance supporting baseline requirements, by applying program management methods and procedures.
• Plans, organizes, and coordinates activities with functional specialists, including contracting, engineering, manufacturing, program controls, configuration/data management, test, logistics, and operations support.

What You Need

• Baccalaureate Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that include 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
• Expert knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methodologies of electronics, aerospace, structural, and materials engineering disciplines in addition to extensive knowledge of mathematics, physics, operations research, and computer sciences to perform assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Knowledge of DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) organizations, missions, relevant policies, and processes.
• Mastery of management and executive knowledge and ability to the extent that the experience demonstrates specialization in areas such as program management, manpower management, resource management and/or financial management, civilian and/or military human resources management, and intelligence operations.
• Expert and detailed knowledge of management and leadership theory and practice, with the demonstrated ability to apply management theory to resolve issues, recommend policy and solve problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods.
• In-depth experience communicating with all levels of personnel in order to represent the organization in interagency forums, lead and participate in planning sessions and working groups, and present briefings.
• 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.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply analytic, diagnostic, and qualitative techniques sufficient to produce authoritative analytical products, and the ability to employ new methodological approaches to analyze information.

Desired Qualifications

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 requires a three-year rotational assignment agreement with possible extensions of two-years. Approved extensions will be in one-year increments based on mission requirements. At the conclusion of the rotational assignment, the position's occupant will be required to relocate to NRO Headquarters, Chantilly, VA or another acceptable assignment within the NRO. 

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.
• DAWIA: This is a Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) position: Employees Grades 15 designated in Critical Acquisition Positions, must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the DAWIA within the designated grace period (Practitioner-5 years) after accepting the position. As a Critical Acquisition Position (CAP), unless specifically waived by the appropriate Component Official (i.e., the Director of Acquisition Career Management for the Component, the Service Acquisition Executive, or the Service Secretary) or if the employee is "grandfathered" under 10 U.S.C. 1736 (c) (1), the following are statutorily mandated requirements (Reference 10 U.S.C. 1733 and 1737). Employee must have 4 years acquisition experience. Employee must execute, as a condition of employment, a written tenure agreement to maintain in Federal Service in this position for at least three years. In signing such an agreement, the employee does not forfeit any employment rights, nor does such an agreement alter any other terms or conditions of employment. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website .
• Mobility Statement: Mobility is a condition of employment.

Location

Aurora, CO

Salary

2024 Salary range for Denver-Aurora, CO Area:  

GG-14 $135,860 – $176,620 

GG-15 $159,806 – $191,900

This position may meet 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 and meet degree requirements. 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.

2024 STEM Salary ranges:

GG-14 $144,354 - $187,662

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 – 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 (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.

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 [email protected] .

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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