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National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

Deputy Chief Architect - Senior Level

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Chantilly, Virginia, United States, 22021


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

The Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) System Acquisition Directorate, Deputy Chief Architect is accountable for maintaining a coherent, SIGINT-wide, mission-oriented communications plan that underscores the vital contributions of SIGINT to organizations within and beyond the NRO. The Deputy Chief Architect also conveys user needs to SIGINT leadership through frequent interactions with users of SIGINT products across the IC and DoD. Deputy Chief Architect is part of the SIGINT Chief Architect (CA) Team and collaborates closely with the SIGINT Technical Director (TD), the SIGINT Chief Engineer (CE), the SIGINT Chief of Staff (CoS), the Directors of the SIGINT System Program Offices, and with the embedded NSA Chief Engineer.

The Deputy Chief Architect will apply operational, technical, and programmatic experience and expertise to develop, plan, and execute strategic and long-term program plans and vision. Will provide advice to the CA in formulating, documenting, coordinating, and communicating strategic plans and requisite level initiatives, priorities, and objectives. Is accountable for the SIGINT Schoolhouse course, recommending and utilizing the most appropriate communication method using NRO provided technologies for promoting and enabling communication within the Directorate, across the NRO, and with external customers. Matures and sustains key mission partnerships and guides strategic initiatives and projects. Reviews plans to determine adequacy and progress status.

The Deputy Chief Architect focuses and orchestrates all aspects of external engagement between the program and its stakeholders. Engages with a wide range of stakeholders, and senior executives through briefs, papers, working groups, studies, and stakeholder forums. Information obtained from these engagements is used to enhance operational effectiveness of existing intelligence satellite systems and educate end-users of resources available to support the nation's intelligence and warfighting efforts.

The work contributes to the improvement of the overall effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of the Directorate, and NRO. Typical of products prepared by employee are completed briefing packages, staff studies, and recommendations, which would significantly change major aspects of missions and programs. Position helps formulate SIGINT Directorate policy.

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 September 13, 2024 to September 20, 2024. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on September 20, 2024.

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 may not qualify for the appointment of a reemployed federal annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.

What You Will Be Doing

Develops strategic plan, vision, and communications strategy supporting the development and acquisition of future SIGINT capabilities. Efforts include the development of goals and objectives that will enable SIGINT to accomplish its mission and bridge the gap between present and future organizational requirements.

Establishes priorities and manages engagements with stakeholders to include members of Congress and their staffs, senior executive officials and military officers, action officers, foreign partners and end users.

Leads SIGINT participation in various departmental and IC processes including programmatic studies and stakeholder working groups.

Analyzes current and projected uses of Overhead SIGINT to inform decisions on employing new CONOPs and fielding new capabilities.

Maintains a working knowledge of service and community training and education policies, processes, and schedules.

Leads a small team of government and contractor personnel and manages daily activities developing, coordinating, and executing coherent approaches for communicating program plans to external stakeholders.

Serves on integrated process teams and committees to develop new program strategies, lay out long-range plans, evaluate highly controversial issues and investigate critical difficulties, failures, and/or obstacles to program acquisition strategy.

Attends and actively participates in staff meetings and other special meetings conducted by SIGINT Directorate leadership.

Performs other duties as assigned.

What You Need

Baccalaureate Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that include 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science.

Knowledge of DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) organizations, missions, relevant policies, and processes.

Demonstrated experience working in the IC.

Demonstrated experience working with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and knowledge of organizational structure, mission, programs, and corporate management processes.

Knowledge of principles and practices of systems acquisition and program management.

Three or more years of experience in large technology and systems acquisition organization specifically in the development of overhead SIGINT systems.

Sound understanding of and technical experience with NRO on-orbit systems operation and spacecraft systems maintenance activities.

Thorough understanding of methods by which national technical means conduct tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination of SIGINT data.

Sound understanding of SIGINT dissemination methods and equipment.

Demonstrated experience coordinating and communicating with the IC and DoD SIGINT communities.

Ability to develop, implement, evaluate, and revise detailed strategic and communication plans.

Must possess excellent oral and written communications skills.

Location

Chantilly, VA, 20151

Telework is not available and you must be able to work at the specified location(s).

Salary

This position meets the qualifications for Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Targeted Local Market Supplement (TLMS) STEM pay for NRO Cadre employees and candidates as authorized by the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security’s (OUSD(I&S)). Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM designated position. Should a Cadre employee or candidate earning STEM pay change positions within the organization, they must be assigned to another STEM qualifying position in order to continue to remain eligible for STEM pay. Otherwise, Cadre employees and Candidates Generally would be transitioned to the DCIPS GG Pay Scale.

2024 STEM salary range:

GG-15 $163,017 – $191,900.

2024 salary range for the Washington D.C. area:

GG-15 $163,964 – $191,900.

Hiring Incentives

The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.

Trial Period

All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.

Veterans’ Preference

DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to Hiring@nro.mil.

Privacy Act Notice

Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974

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