Chief, Dynamic Core Acquisition Division

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)•Chantilly, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an exceptional Acquisition Program Manager to serve as the Dynamic Core Acquisition (DCA) Division Chief for the Signals Intelligence Systems Acquisition Directorate's Tracking and Transport Systems Program Office (SIGINT/T2SPO). This supervisory position is a remarkable opportunity to spearhead national security initiatives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. T2SPO is responsible for acquiring the new architecture’s first Major Systems Acquisitions (MSA) in the Dynamic Core layer, its common command and control system, and associated communication systems. T2SPO's systems support critical national security missions. As the DCA Division Chief, you will lead a diverse team of approximately 40 personnel including military, civilian, SETA, and FFRDC staff in support of the new architecture’s Dynamic Core layer, which includes an Experimental Research Demonstration (ERD) and multiple MSA. This role operates within compressed timelines for designing, developing, and operationalizing spacecraft systems critical to the success of the new architecture. The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GGS-15), Acquisition Project Manager occupational series 1101. 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.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Computer Science, or comparable discipline from an accredited university
Minimum ten (10) years of experience in related technical field
Minimum four (4) years of government acquisition experience or equivalent
Demonstrated extensive expertise in satellite acquisition and program management
Proven leadership experience in fast-paced technical development environments
Strong track record managing complex engineering projects with tight deadlines
Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries
Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams and driving program management excellence
Demonstrated experience leading SIGINT system development, integration, and testing
Demonstrated interpersonal, collaborative, teambuilding, and leadership skills with proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making in a variety of complex, high pressure situations and in the face of competing priorities
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop employees to formulate and achieve goals that achieve intelligence impacts
Demonstrated experience leading a breadth of technical and management functions, to include program management, risk management, systems engineering, budgeting, policy formulation/execution, and human capital management
Demonstrated experience in maintaining constructive technical partnerships with related technical groups and stakeholder organizations
Demonstrated experience in advanced multidisciplinary engineering or related engineering/technical disciplines, concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment sufficient to apply experimental theories, principles, and concepts to project development and execution
Knowledge of DoW and IC organizations, missions, relevant policies, and processes
Appropriate certification requirements IAW the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) no later than 4 years after accepting this position. Individual shall maintain, at a minimum 80 continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Comprehensive knowledge of overhead collection systems and capabilities and how these systems and capabilities are used by IC and DoW
Demonstrated knowledge of launch systems integration and developing launch systems and launch system interfaces to meet the needs of complex spacecraft deployments
Understanding of end-to-end NRO system engineering practices
Experience with overhead SIGINT system operations and Operations & Maintenance activities
Demonstrated knowledge of NRO SIGINT mission ground stations' design and operations
Advanced academic degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or other related technical degree or equivalent work experience

Responsibilities

Exercise supervisory personnel management responsibilities
Direct, coordinate, and oversee work through subordinate team leads
Serve as a System Program Office (SPO) technical representative internal and external to the NRO
Oversee teams across multiple disciplines including aerospace, software, and systems engineering
Navigate compressed development timelines from design through launch
Ensure technical excellence across spacecraft and ground systems
Drive innovation while maintaining quality and performance standards
Leads a highly technical government and industry team responsible for delivery and operations of multiple, simultaneous satellite acquisition programs.
Represents the SPO at high-level conferences and meetings with representatives from the Department of War (DoW), other Intelligence Community (IC) partners, military services and agencies, and private industry.
Equip team with resources necessary to effectively evaluate contractor performance, cost, and schedule of major contracts to develop, deliver, and sustain overhead reconnaissance systems, including spacecraft hardware, ground and communication components, and mission software applications.
Establish organizational structures, procedures, and mission objectives, for staff to eliminate work barriers to mission accomplishment.
Work collaboratively and constructively with external partners, stakeholders, and overseers on a wide-range of program issues, risks, challenges, and opportunities.
Manage and assesses progress in assigned projects/programs, including cost, schedule, and performance supporting baseline requirements, by applying program management methods and procedures.
Develop, execute, and monitors risk management strategies to address areas of concern or potential gaps.
Provide mentoring to junior personnel in government-contractor technical oversight roles and fosters their professional growth.
Perform other duties as assigned.