Director, Technology and Defense System Program Office

NRO • Chantilly, VA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

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 a U.S. Citizen 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 SAO is designed as the lead organization to mature novel technologies that can be rapidly developed into low-cost resiliency solutions that protect NRO HVAs in all orbital regimes. These resilient solutions mature to fully funded MSAs as well as onboard resiliency solutions that are transitioned to NRO and DoW stakeholders. The Director (D), Technology and Defense System Program Office (TDSPO) reports directly to the Director Survivability Assurance Office (SAO) and is responsible for leading a program office assigned to develop, demonstrate, and deploy survivability and resiliency capabilities to defend National Space Systems. The D/TDSPO is responsible for managing a large portfolio consisting of multiple Major System Acquisitions (MSAs), to include full life cycle management in the development, production, launch, and associated ground architecture. The D/TDSPO is also responsible for maintaining SAO's Research and Development efforts. The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level ( GG-15), technical career field specialists, occupational series 801, 1301, 1501. 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 January 22, 2026 to January 27, 2026. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on January 27, 2026. 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 does not qualify for the appointment of a reemployed federal annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.

Requirements

• Meet requirements for Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement (DAWIA) Program Management Advance certification.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated strong performance in providing leadership and management of large-scale programs.
• Knowledge of budgetary and financial management principles as they relate to planning and execution of Major Systems Acquisition.
• Ability to lead a program office composed of a diverse workforce engaged in the planning and executing several simultaneous complex acquisition programs, including Major Systems Acquisition.
• Skill in building and leading cross-functional teams.
• Skill in communicating at the executive level as it relates to acquisition challenges and issues.
• Ability to exercise leadership, organize, and prioritize assignments in a high-pressure work environment ensuring milestones are met.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, prioritize & coordinate activities of a diverse staff; and collaborate and cultivate key relationships with contractors, government, SETA, and FFRDC personnel.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience in the acquisition of satellites and associates terrestrial systems to include integration and test.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in the NRO and knowledge of NRO and Intelligence Community Major System Acquisition processes.
• Experience in developing and executing threat-based technology development roadmaps.
• Experience in maintaining stakeholder relationships including oversight and Congressional relationships, as well as experience in building consensus across organizations and agencies.
• An advanced degree from an accredited university in engineering, science, or any other STEM program
• 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

• Manages all acquisition lifecycle phases of assigned programs. Manages cost, schedule, and technical aspects of the program in a proactive manner.
• Lead and supervise the performance and professional development of all military and civilian personnel assigned to the program office.
• Lead the development and implementation of acquisition strategies and plans for all assigned programs.
• Report program status, accomplishments, areas of concern, and planned activities to higher leadership and oversight authorities on a regular basis.
• Lead efforts to identify, mature, develop, and field revolutionary capabilities ensuring our ability to deliver Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) in a contested space environment.
• Coordinate research, development, and acquisition activities with DoW and IC partners.
• Develops and maintains a stakeholder engagement plan to ensure transition of resiliency capabilities.
• Secures classified information in accordance with E.O. 13526.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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