National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

Acquisition Program Manager - Senior/Expert Level

Continuous Announcement - Chantilly, VA - Full Time

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

Are you a negotiator? Do you enjoy managing or overseeing complex legal agreements or contracts?  Are you a finance, accounting, business or economics professional looking for an exciting challenge?  Does managing and overseeing multi-million dollar acquisition and procurement contracts for reconnaissance satellite systems to ensure the safety and security of the United States interest you? Does a career with an “out of this world” mission sound intriguing?

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Senior Level Acquisition Program Management Officers, occupational series 1101. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here.

This is a full time position. Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

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

  • Lead activities with functional specialists, including contracting, engineering, manufacturing program control, configuration/data management, test, and logistics and operations support.
  • Manage cost, schedule, and performance of complex contracts to develop, deliver, and sustain overhead reconnaissance systems, including spacecraft hardware, ground and communication components, and mission software applications. 
  • Provide authoritative recommendations, briefings, and other formal and informal feedback and status to management on all aspects. 
  • Provide input in source selection and assessing contractor performance during all acquisition phases, including operations. 
  • Collaborate with senior contract officers on complex contract awards and ensures program objectives are achieved within stringent cost, schedule, and technical performance requirements.
  • Oversee identification and implementation of risk management strategies for large-scale program to address areas of concerns or potential gaps.
  • Direct, coordinate, and oversee work through subordinate supervisors (when applicable).
  • Apply systems engineering principles, techniques, services, and practices at the appropriate level of the architecture to ensure a disciplined approach to meeting intelligence needs with NRO systems. 

What You Need 

  • A Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree in a related occupation (Management, Engineering, Science, etc.) is qualifying for this level and is highly desirable, or you may qualify based on experience.  Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position.
  • Membership in the Defense Acquisition Corps (DAC) is required for this position.*NOTE: Specific requirements for DAC membership eligibility are as follows: 
    • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited education institution and ONE of the following: 
    • 24 semester credit hours from among the following disciplines: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, and organization and management. 
    • 24 semester credit hours in the person’s career fields and 12 semester credit hours in the disciplines listed above.  Credit hours within the person’s career field may also satisfy the requirement for part or all of the 12 credit hours in the disciplines listed above.  The same hours may be used to meet both requirements. 
    • 24 semester credit hours in the person’s career filed and training equivalent (American Council on Education recommended credits) to 12 semester credit hours in the disciplines listed above. 
  • Employee must meet, or be capable of meeting, the Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the position. The incumbent in this position will be required to obtain and maintain a DAWIA Level III certification in primary specialty within 24 months of assignment to position. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website.
  • Employee is expected to meet Continuing Education requirements to maintain DAWIA certification. If appointed as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), employee must attend the NRO Acquisition COTR training in NI 40-1-1. If appointed as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), employee must attend the NRO Acquisition COTR training in NI 40-1-1.

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

  • 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.
  • Information Assurance (IA): Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment.
  • Emergency Essential: Certain positions are deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

Location

Various NRO locations.

Salary

2023 salary range for the Washington, DC area:

GG-14: $132,368 – $172,075

GG-15: $155,700 – $183,500

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. For more information on STEM pay, visit https://dcips.defense.gov/Human-Resources/Compensation/

2023 STEM Salary ranges:

GG-14: $137,873 - $183,500

GG-15: $155,700 - $183,500

**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.  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. 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 

 

Apply: Acquisition Program Manager - Senior/Expert Level
* Required fields
First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Location
Phone number*
Resume*

Attach resume or Paste resume

Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or paste resume

Paste your resume here or attach resume file

Are you a U.S. Citizen?*
Are you 18 years of age or older?*
Unless noted, NRO positions are NOT telework eligible. Are you willing to work at the location specified in the announcement?*
Current federal employee's must be at or above the grade level listed in the announcement to be eligible to apply for this position. If you are a current federal employee, do you meet this requirement?

If you are not a current federal employee (e.g. contractor, military personnel, other private sector employee) please select "N/A" as your answer.*
If you are a current federal employee, what is your current grade & step

If you are NOT a current federal employee, please enter N/A*
What is your highest education level?*
For your highest level of education, please list your major(s). Multiple majors can be separated by commas. Enter N/A if high school/GED is your highest level of education.*
For your highest level of education beyond high school, what school did you attend?*
This position may require occasional travel or overtime. Are you be able to meet this requirement?*
Are you a former federal employee?*
If you are former federal employee, what is highest grade and step that you held? If you are not a former federal employee, please enter N/A.*
This position may not qualify for the appointment of a Reemployed Federal Annuitant. Are you a Reemployed Federal Annuitant?*
How did you hear about the NRO?*
Have you previously worked for the NRO as either an employee, contractor or military personnel?*
What motivated/attracted you to apply to the NRO? (Please choose up to 3).
If you selected "Other" to the question above, please describe your motivation/attraction to apply to the NRO.
Are you a claiming a military Service-connected disability of 30 percent or more?*
Do you have an active security clearance and polygraph? Please select all that apply.*
Please attach a PDF copy of your resume (Please include all relevant experience).*
The following questions are entirely optional.
To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
Gender
Race/Ethnicity
Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran
  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
Veteran status
I IDENTIFY AS ONE OR MORE OF THE CLASSIFICATIONS OF PROTECTED VETERAN LISTED ABOVE
I AM NOT A PROTECTED VETERAN
I DON’T WISH TO ANSWER
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:
YES, I HAVE A DISABILITY, OR HAVE HAD ONE IN THE PAST
NO, I DO NOT HAVE A DISABILITY AND HAVE NOT HAD ONE IN THE PAST
I DO NOT WANT TO ANSWER

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

Name Date
Human Check*