Deputy Chief Architect - Senior Level

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 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

The Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) System Acquisition Directorate, Deputy Chief Architect is accountable for maintaining a coherent, SIGINT-wide, mission-oriented communications plan that underscores the vital contributions of SIGINT to organizations within and beyond the NRO. The Deputy Chief Architect also conveys user needs to SIGINT leadership through frequent interactions with users of SIGINT products across the IC and DoD. Deputy Chief Architect is part of the SIGINT Chief Architect (CA) Team and collaborates closely with the SIGINT Technical Director (TD), the SIGINT Chief Engineer (CE), the SIGINT Chief of Staff (CoS), the Directors of the SIGINT System Program Offices, and with the embedded NSA Chief Engineer.

The Deputy Chief Architect will apply operational, technical, and programmatic experience and expertise to develop, plan, and execute strategic and long-term program plans and vision. Will provide advice to the CA in formulating, documenting, coordinating, and communicating strategic plans and requisite level initiatives, priorities, and objectives. Is accountable for the SIGINT Schoolhouse course, recommending and utilizing the most appropriate communication method using NRO provided technologies for promoting and enabling communication within the Directorate, across the NRO, and with external customers. Matures and sustains key mission partnerships and guides strategic initiatives and projects. Reviews plans to determine adequacy and progress status.

The Deputy Chief Architect focuses and orchestrates all aspects of external engagement between the program and its stakeholders. Engages with a wide range of stakeholders, and senior executives through briefs, papers, working groups, studies, and stakeholder forums. Information obtained from these engagements is used to enhance operational effectiveness of existing intelligence satellite systems and educate end-users of resources available to support the nation's intelligence and warfighting efforts.

The work contributes to the improvement of the overall effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of the Directorate, and NRO. Typical of products prepared by employee are completed briefing packages, staff studies, and recommendations, which would significantly change major aspects of missions and programs. Position helps formulate SIGINT Directorate policy.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Senior level (GG-15), 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 September 13, 2024 to September 20, 2024. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on September 20, 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

• Develops strategic plan, vision, and communications strategy supporting the development and acquisition of future SIGINT capabilities. Efforts include the development of goals and objectives that will enable SIGINT to accomplish its mission and bridge the gap between present and future organizational requirements. Develops, coordinates, and executes a coherent approach for communicating program plans to external stakeholders.
• Establishes priorities and manages engagements with stakeholders to include members of Congress and their staffs, senior executive officials and military officers, action officers, foreign partners and end users. Engagements include briefings, participation in community studies, and program-related education and training. Represents SIGINT at NRO working-level strategic communications and implementation working groups.
• Leads SIGINT participation in various departmental and IC processes including programmatic studies and stakeholder working groups. Presents explanatory and technical information to be considered in the review and analysis processes for the resulting approval and disapproval decisions of functional projects and programs. Examines strategies and processes for improving systems performance processing engineering efforts, taking into consideration new and emerging technologies. In coordination with other SIGINT Directorate leads, advises D/CA on strategic challenges and impacts.
• Analyzes current and projected uses of Overhead SIGINT to inform decisions on employing new CONOPs and fielding new capabilities. Develops strategic communication material that evidences the value of Overhead SIGINT to the IC and DoD members and executive leadership.
• Analyzes the effects of change in external guidance and direction on the program and develops recommendations for course corrections. Maintains a thorough working understanding of the evolving operational environment and develops user requirements in response to changes in the environment.
• Maintains a working knowledge of service and community training and education policies, processes, and schedules. Establishes training forums to educate IC and external customers on the benefits and capabilities afforded by SIGINT in direct support of national strategies. Collaborates with SIGINT Directorate leadership in developing strategies and exploring technical approaches to new initiatives. The position takes an active role in monitoring projects/programs once implemented. Coordinates with NRO University to ensure the development of related products align with the SIGINT Directorate's vision and plan.
• Leads a small team of government and contractor personnel and manages daily activities developing, coordinating, and executing coherent approaches for communicating program plans to external stakeholders.
• Serves on integrated process teams and committees to develop new program strategies, lay out long-range plans, evaluate highly controversial issues and investigate critical difficulties, failures, and/or obstacles to program acquisition strategy, satellite systems development, and for the execution of program goals and objectives. Formulates plans and provides managerial expertise regarding aspects of staff operations.
• Attends and actively participates in staff meetings and other special meetings conducted by SIGINT Directorate leadership. Participates in program reviews and recommends continuation, stoppage, or changes in projects.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What You Need

• Baccalaureate Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that include 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
• Knowledge of DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) organizations, missions, relevant policies, and processes. Demonstrated experience coordinating and communicating with DoD and IC SlGINT communities to develop mission requirements and advocate and educate on the use of existing overhead systems capabilities with stakeholders and users.
• Demonstrated experience working in the IC.
• Demonstrated experience working with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and knowledge of organizational structure, mission, programs, and corporate management processes.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of systems acquisition and program management.
• Three or more years of experience in large technology and systems acquisition organization specifically in the development of overhead SIGINT systems.
• Sound understanding of and technical experience with NRO on-orbit systems operation and spacecraft systems maintenance activities.
• Thorough understanding of methods by which national technical means conduct tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination of SIGINT data.
• Sound understanding of SIGINT dissemination methods and equipment with which users receive data.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating and communicating with the IC and DoD SIGINT communities to advocate and educate on the use and capabilities of overhead SIGINT systems.
• Ability to develop, implement, evaluate, and revise detailed strategic and communication plans based on program office acquisition and management plans as well as developing SIGINT technology and capabilities.
• Must possess excellent oral and written communications skills and have experience managing complex technical initiatives, prioritizing tasks, and interacting with all levels of management and staff.

Other Information

• Overtime Statement: MAY be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Travel Statement: Position requires temporary duty (TDY) business travel to contractor and military sites CONUS and OCONUS approximately 25% of the time. Travel in military or commercial aircraft may be required in performance of temporary duty assignments. The incumbent must obtain and maintain a valid passport.
• 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 15 designated in Critical Acquisition Positions, must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the DAWIA within the designated grace period (Practitioner-5 years) after accepting the position.
  • As a Critical Acquisition Position (CAP), unless specifically waived by the appropriate Component Official (i.e., the Director of Acquisition Career Management for the Component, the Service Acquisition Executive, or the Service Secretary) or if the employee is "grandfathered" under 10 U.S.C. 1736 (c) (1), the following are statutorily mandated requirements (Reference 10 U.S.C. 1733 and 1737).
    • Employee must have 4 years of acquisition experience.
    • Employee must execute, as a condition of employment, a written tenure agreement to maintain in Federal Service in this position for at least three years. In signing such an agreement, the employee does not forfeit any employment rights, nor does such an agreement alter any other terms or conditions of employment.
• Mobility: Mobility is a condition of employment.

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

2024 STEM salary range:

GG-15 $163,017 - $191,900.

2024 salary range for the Washington D.C. area:

GG-15 $163,964 - $191,900.

**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 - 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 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 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 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.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants

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 .

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