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 - U.S. Citizenship is required
- 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 This position serves as the Chief of the Program & Systems Engineering Branch (C/PSEB) in the Networks Engineering Division (NED) of the Communications Systems Directorate (COMM) Network Services Group (NSG). C/PSEB is responsible for the end-to-end program management and systems engineering of all Layer 2 and Layer 3 network requirements for deploying connectivity between space intelligence collection downline locations and processing/dissemination locations for the NRO, Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC).
- C/PSEB is responsible for effective communications and internal and external partners and stakeholders to include other directorates and offices across the NRO, IC mission partners, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and DoD.
- C/PSEB will lead a team, in coordination with the Program Manager and COTR, who wrestle with policy issues, build the NED budget and master schedule, oversee configuration management, create and manage risks, issues and opportunities and manage capability roadmaps.
- C/PSEB extensively coordinates with mission partners both internal and external to the NRO and represents NED at high level meeting with other directorates and mission partners across the IC and DoD daily to develop and coordinate network connectivity requirements for current and future missions.
- C/PSEB oversee the performance of a government team of 1 military officer, and 1 government civilian, and a contractor team of ~100 people that provide program management, engineering and implementation for enterprise and mission network solutions.
Additional Information:
The Network Services Group (NSG) within NRO/COMM is a worldwide, distributed group comprised of over 650 civilian, military, and contractor employees responsible for the design, development, operations and maintenance of the NRO's network infrastructure which provides service across the NRO, CIA, IC, DoD and US Mission Partners. In addition, NSG serves the Intelligence Community as the Continental United States (CONUS) Wide Area Network (WAN) Service Provider (CWSP) and the Trans-Oceanic WAN Service Provider. Both the unique NRO and COMM missions and the NRO's mixed workforce provide a unique and robust organizational culture that is sure to benefit officers looking for a fulsome Joint Duty Assignment (JDA) experience.
The Network Engineering Division includes, but is not limited to:
- Core and Access Networks – The Core Network provides foundational network services for all classifications and security domains of NRO and IC network services. This includes the physical and logical infrastructure, management of the master routing design, enterprise firewalls, controlled interfaces, external peering's, Internet Protocol Address Management (IPAM), Domain Name Service (DNS), Network Timing Protocol (NTP), and connectivity to IC ITE services. The Access Network provides commodity based network services and common access points for connectivity to Core services. This includes access for all classifications of NRO and IC network services.
- Command and Telemetry (C&T) Services - Provides for the movement of selected Satellite Command and Telemetry or payload data between NRO system endpoints. The Command and Telemetry Network (CTN) is a mission critical network used by NRO spacecraft and boosters. The CTN provides connectivity between launch bases, ground stations, development factories, and support facilities for mission data.
- CAN/LAN Services – Enterprise Campus Area Network (CAN) and Local Area Network (LAN) providing distribution of network services within a site, building, or campus.
- Network Management Services - Overall network management function enabling a complete view and reporting of the health, status, and configuration of the NSG Network Domain
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 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 does not qualify for the appointment of a Reemployed Federal Annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.
What You Will Be Doing - C/PSEB is responsible for the end-to-end program management and systems engineering of mission partner network requirements for deploying connectivity between space intelligence collection downline locations and processing/dissemination locations for the NRO, Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC).
- C/PSEB is responsible for effective communications with internal and external mission partners and stakeholders to include other directorates and offices across the NRO, IC mission partners, foreign mission partners, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and DoD.
- C/PSEB will lead a team, in coordination with the Program Manager and COTR, who wrestle with policy issues, build the NED budget and master schedule, create and manage risks, issues and opportunities and manage capability roadmaps.
- C/PSEB extensively coordinates with mission partners both internal, and external to the NRO and represents NED at high-level meetings with mission partners across the IC daily to develop and coordinate network connectivity requirements for current and future missions.
- Oversees the performance of a contractor team of ~100 FTE that provide program management, engineering and implementation for enterprise and mission network solutions.
- Oversee the capture and documentation of network requirements into the configuration management baseline
- Provides management officials and operating personnel technical advice on current technology and policy and its impact on current and long-range programs. Participates in conferences and committees on matters pertaining to computer requirements, application, and techniques. Keeps abreast of new technology and emerging government and industry best practices and determines extent of possible application and usage.
- Receives and analyzes new technology support requirements, develops information system techniques, establishes criteria, and makes recommendations when procedures/guidelines do not exist for IT and automation resources/ requirements, e.g., impacting information technology systems; implementation, operations, expansion, consolidations, and continuing lifecycle management.
- Participates in project teams in advanced information systems technology efforts. Participates in a variety of work groups. Serves as the IT expert on project teams, which include engineers, program analysts and other subject matter experts. Evaluates, develops and recommends modification/approval on standards. Prepares studies and other papers and briefs a wide range of audiences including top management. Formulates and conducts or participates in study projects to recommend standards solutions to complex architecture and systems engineering requirements. What You Need
All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. You must address each technical qualification separately. You are required to respond to all of the technical qualifications. If you fail to do so, you will be rated as ineligible. Please limit your written statements to no more than two pages per technical qualification.
- Demonstrated skill in successfully leading and managing people at the branch level or above.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate (verbally and in written form) complex technical concepts and project information to both technical and non-technical audiences; to include Executive Managers
- Relevant experience in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems or a closely related discipline
- Demonstrated skill in applying program management and systems engineering principles and practices to successfully achieve program goals
- Demonstrated ability to handle short and shifting deadlines, changing priorities, complex situations and multiple tasks
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills to forge enduring relationships across the NRO and with technical experts from the DoD, IC, foreign mission partners, industry and academia.
Desired Qualifications: - Bachelor’s degree in STEM discipline or related field desired
- Knowledge of DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) organizations, missions, relevant policies, and processes.
- Sound understanding of intelligence satellite systems.
- Experience with NRO missions, programs, and management processes.
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate, develop and recommend courses of action for issues or leadership tasks and effectively present them to leadership using a Microsoft office product (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc).
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. Location Chantilly, 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
2024 STEM Salary ranges:
GG-14: $144,354 - $191,900
**This position is a senior/expert 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 senior GG-14 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 DoDI 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.
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Job Tags
Full time, For contractors, Local area, Remote job, Worldwide, Trial period, Shift work,