National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

Chief Architect - Senior Level

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 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 
As the Chief Architect reporting directly to the COMM Front Office, you'll serve as the principal authority for enterprise IT architecture across all COMM activities, responsible for establishing and maintaining the strategic vision and technical framework that governs how COMM's IT infrastructure, systems, and services are designed, integrated, and evolved to support mission objectives. You'll work alongside dedicated professionals across all COMM Groups and Offices operating worldwide, providing technical leadership and strategic guidance that shapes the future of NRO's communications infrastructure.

This leadership position oversees 100+ civilian and contractor personnel in the delivery of telecommunications, computer system, operations, and Information Technology (IT) maintenance.  The position is responsible for ensuring alignment and integration of divisional priorities and initiatives with NRO HQ, the Communications System Directorate, and mission partners. The position serves as a member of the senior leadership team as the ADF-E COMM Division Chief.  This supervisory position will lead the workforce through significant cultural and environmental change, IT modernization, and continued mission growth. 

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GG-14 to GG-15), supervisory 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 June 11, 2026 to June 25, 2026.  Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on June 25, 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 DoWI 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 DoWI 1400.25 Volume 300.
What You Will Be Doing  
  • Partner with C/TD to establish and maintain enterprise IT architecture strategy, including principles, standards, policies, and 10-year roadmap using UAF framework, aligned with COMM mission and DoW/IC mandates
  • Provide senior technical leadership to COMM leadership on architecture decisions and technology investments; chair Technology Review Forum for IT change management governance across all Groups/Offices
  • Design enterprise integration frameworks and architect technical solutions including cloud-native/hybrid environments, digital engineering platforms, and AI/ML foundations; evaluate and recommend enterprise technologies
  • Co-chair NRO Standards Management Group and represent NRO on Joint Enterprise Steering Committee, ensuring review and promotion of emerging commercial and government standards
  • Lead enterprise-wide architecture governance, building organizational competencies, reviewing major program architectures, and establishing compliance mechanisms and continuous improvement processes
  • Oversee Data Driven Decisions (D3) project and support NRO CAI framework implementation; serve as COMM AI Champion for CAIO-led policy development and technology evaluation
  • Manage FFRDC, SETA, contractor, and reservist support for enterprise architecture modeling, digital engineering, and strategic technology initiatives
What You Need  
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to establish relationships across organizational levels, prepare technical briefings, and present strategic recommendations to senior executives and NRO leadership
  • Expert understanding of systems engineering principles (including MBSE), enterprise architecture frameworks (UAF, DoWAF, TOGAF), and comprehensive knowledge of agency mission, objectives, and management practices
  • Mastery of advanced IT principles and proven expertise in developing enterprise architectures, including cloud/SOA/hybrid environments, as-is baselines, to-be reference architectures, and multi-year technology roadmaps
  • Strong knowledge of architecture governance, technical review processes, and change management; extensive experience leading architecture forums and working with DoW/IC architecture initiatives and compliance requirements
  • Advanced degree in Systems/Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or IT-related fields; professional certifications in enterprise architecture (TOGAF, Zachman, DoWAF/UAF) and PMP or equivalent
  • Experience with digital engineering, DevSecOps, agile/SAFe methodologies, space systems/satellite communications, architecture modeling tools, data visualization platforms (Tableau, PowerBI), and AI/ML technologies
  • Ability to lead geographically dispersed teams and manage FFRDC/SETA contractors; background in information systems security, accreditation processes, and network security methodologies
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

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 War for Intelligence and Security's (OUSW(I&S)). Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM designated position.

2026 STEM Salary Ranges:
 
  • GG-14: $148,275 – $192,764
  • GG-15: $167,446 – $197,200

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

**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 or GG-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 DoWI 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
DoW 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 DoW 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
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