Acquisition Lead

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)•Chantilly, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The NRO is seeking an outstanding program engineer and leader to be responsible for leading exciting new acquisition activities for the Global Core High-Band program and other SIGINT technologies. This role involves overseeing a large government and contractor team conducting space systems engineering and integration activities. Key responsibilities include managing major design reviews, requirement verification, risk identification and mitigation, technical analysis for design trades, CONOPs development, advanced studies, acquisition activities, system activation and calibration, and ground segment integration. The position also guides technical aspects of contract actions, proposal evaluations, specification changes, technical tradeoffs, corrective actions, workarounds, and contractor performance evaluation. The role requires interfacing with industry and government team members to resolve space segment system engineering issues.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen
Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
Will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
Will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations
Program Management and technical management expertise are highly desirable (i.e., cost, performance, schedule, and technical reporting) to accomplish the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Early acquisition lifecycle experience focusing on RFI evaluation, market research and RFP development processes are also highly desirable.
Knowledge of DoW and Intelligence Community (IC) organizations, missions, relevant policies, and processes.
Sound understanding of intelligence satellite systems.
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 program 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 collectively to find a consensus solution when views differ among agencies, and ability to effectively work independently and within a team or collaborative environment.
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, will not be eligible for consideration.

Nice To Haves

Program Management and technical management expertise are highly desirable (i.e., cost, performance, schedule, and technical reporting) to accomplish the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Early acquisition lifecycle experience focusing on RFI evaluation, market research and RFP development processes are also highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Serve as the project engineer responsible for design, fabrication, integration and test of payloads as they move through the system acquisition process.
Serve as the Interface and lead industry and government support team to resolve payload segment development issues and accomplish delivery.
Prepare, provide, and evaluate conventional plans, designs, design specifications, and related documentation.
Determine and/or execute actions for a wide range of activities involving combinations of complex features and technologies.
Provides findings and recommendations to senior colleagues and/or agency officials responsible for broad program execution.
Evaluate the value and applicability of new or improved technology, strategies, trends, or applications.
Serves as a technical authority and/or Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR).
Manage issues and risks to balance lifecycle cost, schedule and technical performance.
Conduct technical analyses to demonstrate desired product performance/specifications.
Assess project and program effectiveness.
Participate during payload/space vehicle integration, payload calibration and launch operations.
Serve as an authoritative expert and consultant on a broad program, a highly specialized field, or for assignments which affects national or international interests.