Acquisition Program Manager - Senior/Expert

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) • Chantilly, VA

85d • $142,488 - $195,200

About The Position

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. 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. 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.

Requirements

• 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
• 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 minimum of 8 years of experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position.
• 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 48 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.
• DAWIA Functional Area/Tier Required: GG14-15: Program Management/Advanced
• 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 30-1-3. If appointed as a COTR, employee must attend the NRO Acquisition COTR training in NI 30-1-3.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees