GEOINT Ground Cyber Lead

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)•Chantilly, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the Project Officer responsible for managing Information System Owner (ISO) duties for GEOINT Ground assets and serving as the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) for all G2SPO platforms. The incumbent serves as the primary government Information System Owner responsible for ensuring completion of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Risk Management Framework (RMF) steps 1-6, maintaining compliance with cybersecurity requirements for all G2SPO information systems and assets throughout their entire lifecycle, from inception through disposal. The incumbent acts as the G2SPO liaison to COMM, championing ISO responsibilities for all G2SPO assets. The incumbent promotes strong collaboration with COTRs and Acquisition Program Managers across the NRO to champion the development and sustainment of GEOINT Ground system capabilities. This position works closely with Mission Thread Leads responsible for end-to-end missions of each relevant satellite program and collaborates with the GEOINT Directorate's flying SPOs to develop and integrate vehicle-unique elements that comprise an integrated delivered system. This is a critical NRO ground system capability involving complex acquisition that requires subject matter expertise in program management, engineering, or another technical discipline. The role demands COTR capabilities for managing operations, maintenance, sustainment, and system enhancement, in addition to overseeing major new development efforts supporting future satellite launches. The incumbent keeps management informed of accomplishments, issues, risks, and associated resolution plans, and is tasked with delivering required capabilities to operators, mission partners, and warfighters in a timely and effective manner. The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Full Performance level (GG-13 and GG-14), IT Specialists, occupational series 2210. 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 28, 2026 to May 5, 2026. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on May 5, 2026.

Requirements

This position is open to the 2210 OPM occupational series.
To qualify for this series it is highly desired to have a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution.
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.
Knowledge of, or a desire to rapidly learn, modern software development practices, Agile Development methodologies, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Resiliency and fault tolerance practices, and cloud services available in C2E.
Knowledge of laws, principles, policies, and practices of system acquisition and program management.
Knowledge of business, industrial management, contracting procedures, technical concepts, and production practices to evaluate contractor proposals and activities.
Knowledge of the missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operations, which govern and interface with and/or influence the system acquisition process and integrated life cycle management.
RMF1&2 trained, or ability to acquire withing 12 months of arrival.
COTR Level I, or ability to acquire within 12 months of arrival.
Current CISM or CISSP certification or willing to obtain within 6 months of being appointed to the position per IAW Cyber Workforce Requirements outlined in DoD 8500.01.
Understanding of cybersecurity networking concepts and protocols, and network security methodologies, security management principles and practices.
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.

Nice To Haves

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.
This position may not qualify for the appointment of a reemployed federal annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.
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 24 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.
Geographic Mobility Agreement: MAY be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.
Emergency Essential: Certain positions MAY be deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

Responsibilities

Serves as a technical authority and/or Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR)
Serve as an Information System Owner (ISO) for G2SPO cyber assets
Represent program at enterprise coordination and operations meetings
Work with CO, and Program Control (PC) to execute contract modifications
Manages and assesses progress in assigned projects/programs, including cost, schedule, and performance supporting baseline requirements, by applying program management methods and procedures.
Develops, executes, and monitors risk management strategies to address areas of concern or potential gaps.
Provides input in source selection and assess contractor performance during all acquisition phases, including operations.
Plans, organizes, and coordinates activities with functional specialist, including contracting, engineering, manufacturing, program control, configuration/data management, test, logistics and operations support. Continually studies, reviews and evaluates program progress.