GEOINT Ground Cyber Lead

Chantilly, VA
Full Time
Experienced
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
This position serves as the Project Officer responsible for managing Information System Owner (ISO) duties for GEOINT Ground assets and serving as the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) for all G2SPO platforms. The incumbent serves as the primary government Information System Owner responsible for ensuring completion of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Risk Management Framework (RMF) steps 1-6, maintaining compliance with cybersecurity requirements for all G2SPO information systems and assets throughout their entire lifecycle, from inception through disposal. The incumbent acts as the G2SPO liaison to COMM, championing ISO responsibilities for all G2SPO assets.
The incumbent promotes strong collaboration with COTRs and Acquisition Program Managers across the NRO to champion the development and sustainment of GEOINT Ground system capabilities. This position works closely with Mission Thread Leads responsible for end-to-end missions of each relevant satellite program and collaborates with the GEOINT Directorate's flying SPOs to develop and integrate vehicle-unique elements that comprise an integrated delivered system.
This is a critical NRO ground system capability involving complex acquisition that requires subject matter expertise in program management, engineering, or another technical discipline. The role demands COTR capabilities for managing operations, maintenance, sustainment, and system enhancement, in addition to overseeing major new development efforts supporting future satellite launches. The incumbent keeps management informed of accomplishments, issues, risks, and associated resolution plans, and is tasked with delivering required capabilities to operators, mission partners, and warfighters in a timely and effective manner
The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Full Performance level (GG-13 and GG-14), IT Specialists, occupational series 2210. 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 28, 2026 to May 5, 2026.  Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on May 5, 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 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  
  • Serves as a technical authority and/or Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR)
  • Serve as an Information System Owner (ISO) for G2SPO cyber assets
  • Represent program at enterprise coordination and operations meetings
  • Work with CO, and Program Control (PC) to execute contract modifications
  • Manages and assesses progress in assigned projects/programs, including cost, schedule, and performance supporting baseline requirements, by applying program management methods and procedures.
  • Develops, executes, and monitors risk management strategies to address areas of concern or potential gaps.
  • Provides input in source selection and assess contractor performance during all acquisition phases, including operations.
  • Plans, organizes, and coordinates activities with functional specialist, including contracting, engineering, manufacturing, program control, configuration/data management, test, logistics and operations support. Continually studies, reviews and evaluates program progress.





What You Need 
  • This position is open to the 2210 OPM occupational series. To qualify for this series it is highly desired to have a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution.
  • 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. 
  • Knowledge of, or a desire to rapidly learn, modern software development practices, Agile Development methodologies, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Resiliency and fault tolerance practices, and cloud services available in C2E.
  • Knowledge of laws, principles, policies, and practices of system acquisition and program management.
  • Knowledge of business, industrial management, contracting procedures, technical concepts, and production practices to evaluate contractor proposals and activities.
  • Knowledge of the missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operations, which govern and interface with and/or influence the system acquisition process and integrated life cycle management.
  • RMF1&2 trained, or ability to acquire withing 12 months of arrival.
  • COTR Level I, or ability to acquire within 12 months of arrival.
  • Certifications Required: Current CISM or CISSP certification or willing to obtain within 6 months of being appointed to the position per IAW Cyber Workforce Requirements outlined in DoD 8500.01.
  • Understanding of cybersecurity networking concepts and protocols, and network security methodologies, security management principles and practices.
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.
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.
  • 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 STEM Salary ranges:
GG-13: $132,751 - $172,578
GG-14: $148,275 - $192,764
**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-13 or 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 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, pregnancy, 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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