Chief Engineer

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

2d • $148,275 - $197,200 • Onsite

About The Position

The Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) is the single National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) entity that operates all NRO systems to deliver intelligence value to national decision makers, the Intelligence Community, and warfighters. We continually innovate how we deliver, employ, and integrate NRO systems to solve the most challenging intelligence problems while identifying and defining critical future capabilities. We defend and fight through crisis and conflict in concert with U.S. and allied mission partners.
As part of the MOD team, you will…
be empowered to provide direct mission impact to end users
have global reach
have the ability to do hands-on work with cutting-edge technology
have the ability to work with all NRO acquisitions and systems
work in a truly dynamic, rewarding environment
gain invaluable experience for future assignments
As the Chief Engineer managing all site systems engineering & integration, you will be responsible for tasking and supervisory oversight of a wide variety of engineering, program management, and contractor personnel. The work requires making many decisions to resolve specific complex or intricate issues and problems, developing new methods and criteria, or proposing new policies and practices. Familiarity with NRO systems/orgs is mandatory and experience working with other agencies is desired.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GGS-14 and GGS-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 April 16, 2026 to April 23, 2026. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on April 23, 2026.

Requirements

• Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Computer science, or a related field.
• Expert knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methodologies of electronics, aerospace, structural, and materials engineering disciplines in addition to extensive knowledge of mathematics, physics, operations research, and computer sciences to perform assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Knowledge of DoW and Intelligence Community (IC) organizations, missions, relevant policies, and processes.
• Mastery of management and executive knowledge and ability to the extent that the experience demonstrates specialization in areas such as program management, manpower management, resource management and/or financial management, civilian and/or military human resources management, and intelligence operations.
• Expert and detailed knowledge of management and leadership theory and practice, with the demonstrated ability to apply management theory to resolve issues, recommend policy and solve problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods.
• In-depth experience communicating with all levels of personnel in order to represent the organization in interagency forums, lead and participate in planning sessions and working groups, and present briefings.
• 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 project development, execution, and advisory services.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply analytic, diagnostic, and qualitative techniques sufficient to produce authoritative analytical products, and the ability to employ new methodological approaches to analyze information.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Exercises supervisory personnel management responsibilities. Directs, coordinates, and oversees work through subordinate supervisors.
• Supervises two or more assigned functional units through one or more levels of subordinate supervisors. Such positions may function as a PM with delegate authority to make both organization and work assignment changes to achieve the most efficient and economical organization structure possible.
• Solves systemic management problems of major significance through staff coordination and meetings with the NRO leadership. Participates in internal and external meetings and conferences and for complex and critical fiscal and programming negotiations.
• Serves as senior program representative at high-level conferences and meetings with representatives from the DoW, other Intelligence Community partners, military services and agencies, and private industry.
• Monitors contract progress and expenditures against plans, provides necessary statistical data to management and provides strong oversight, guidance, direction, and leadership for teams of acquisition professionals to include military, civil service, SETA and FFRDC contractors developing and implementing NRO project/program requirements.
• Manages and assesses progress in assigned projects/programs, including cost, schedule and performance supporting baseline requirements, by applying program management methods and procedures.
• Plans, organizes, and coordinates activities with functional specialists, including contracting, engineering, manufacturing, program controls, configuration/data management, test, logistics, and operations support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees