National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

Project Manager/ Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative - Full Performance Level

Open until April 28, 2024 - 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

  • 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 

NRO/SIGINT/ Radio Frequency Technology Office (RFTO) supports the NRO’s Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) System Acquisition and Advanced Science & Technology (AS&T) Directorates by developing innovative ways to penetrate and collect signals from space against the most difficult targets. RFTO serves as the gateway to AS&T’s Applied Technology Enterprise. It develops and integrates innovative technology to revolutionize future signals collection and enable/enhance current and future end-to-end overhead SIGINT programs. RFTO collaborates closely with the SIGINT Chief Architect on the technology SIGINT needs for the Highly Integrated Versatile Enterprise (HIVE).

HIVE is the next generation SIGINT architecture that will provide global coverage satisfying multiple SIGINT collection needs for warfighters and intelligence analysts in a mission-relevant timeframe.  It provides improved performance against emerging and rapidly proliferating complex signals residing in an increasingly congested radio frequency (RF) environment. HIVE provides unique RF collection contributions that can complement the capabilities of the other RF SIGINT (airborne, terrestrial, FORNSAT, Special Collection Services) and non-SIGINT (GEOINT, OSINT, MASINT) assets.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Full Performance Level (GG-13), 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 April 12, 2024 to April 28, 2024.  Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on April 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  

The SIGINT Radio Frequency Technology Office (RFTO) Advanced SIGINT Programs (ASP) has a need for a Technical Project Manager (PM)/Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR).  The SIGINT mission environment has been rapidly changing and it is necessary to understand how new technologies can be leveraged to support emerging intelligence needs. ASP develops and matures next generation SIGINT technologies that increase SIGINT constellation performance and enable autonomous collection. The complexity of ASP’s work will allow individuals to expand their skills and knowledge while supporting mission critical requirements. This is an enriching opportunity to join a highly motivated group developing systems.

The ASP PM/COTR will work under the supervision of the Chief, ASP and provide leadership in directing studies and projects that enable advanced payload technologies to be explored and matured to satisfy future SIGINT architectures.  The ASP PM/COTR will serve as the COTR for one or more contracts within RFTO. The ASP PM/COTR will closely collaborate across SIGINT Major System Acquisition (MSA) programs to include LSPO, SSPO, DSPO, T2SPO and VSPO, as well as with offices within the AS&T Directorate.  The PM/COTR will be expected to lead RFTO teams of SETA and FFRDC personnel and coordinate with a diverse group of personnel external to RFTO.  The ASP PM/COTR will be expected to formulate technical road maps and budgets for his/her projects and manage the cost, schedule and technical performance of those efforts.  The ASP PM/COTR will be expected to frequently brief RFTO, AS&T and SIGINT leadership on his/her efforts and have potential opportunities to brief NRO leadership on those efforts.

The Project Manager (PM)/Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) will be responsible for the following duties:

  • Prepares, provides, and evaluates conventional plans, designs, design specifications, and related documentation.
  • Determines and/or executes actions for a wide range of assignments involving combinations of complex features.
  • Serves as technical authority, PM, and/or COTR.
  • Manages issues and risk to balance cost, schedule and technical performance.
  • Serves as an authoritative expert and consultant on a broad program, a highly specialized field, or for assignments which affects national or international interests.
  • Evaluates the value and applicability of new or improved technology, strategies, trends or applications.

What You Need

  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in science/engineering, computer science/engineering, mathematics, or equivalent technical degree or relevant work experience.
  • 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.
  • Demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, and management skills to conceptualize and effectively lead complex analytic projects with limited supervision; ability to work collegially to find a consensus solution when views differ among agencies, and ability to effectively work independently and within a team or collaborative environment.
  • Demonstrated written and oral communications skills, including ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels of leadership and ability to give effective oral presentations at levels appropriate to and tailored for different target audiences.
  • Proven critical thinking skill and reasoning skills as demonstrated by experience in preparing analytical assessments and other written products with emphasis on clear organization; concise. Logical presentation; to include an assessment or recommendation supported by data or research.

Highly Desired  

  • Project Management or technical management expertise (i.e., cost, performance, schedule, and technical reporting) to accomplish the duties and responsibilities of the position.

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

  • Baccalaureate or Graduate Degree: technical or scientific field such as engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, operations research, engineering management, or computer science.
  • 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 13 designated in Non-Critical Acquisition Positions, must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the DAWIA within the designated grace period (Practitioner-5 years) after accepting the position. Employee shall maintain, a minimum of 80 Continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) website at the following link: http://icatalog.dau.mil/onlinecatalog/CareerLvl.aspx.

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/

2024 STEM Salary ranges:

GG-13: $129,239 - $168,015

**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 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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