Space Segment Systems Engineer - Full Performance Level

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 atNRO.gov.

Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO

• You must be a U.S. Citizen
• 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 must be 18 years of age or older
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations

Where You Will Work

The position serves as a National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) DoD Cadre General Engineer providing expert technical and professional advice on engineering issues affecting the NRO. The NRO develops and operates unique and innovative overhead reconnaissance systems and conducts intelligence-related activities essential for the U. S. national security. The work involves originating new and improved applications and· strategies for engineering or architecture concepts, theories, and principles that affect the planning, completion, and direction of major engineering or architecture projects. Work products or services of the position affects the work of other experts and the development of major aspects of administrative or scientific programs or missions.

This particular NRO program manages hardware and software subsystem development activities necessary to provide design, development, assembly, integration, test, launch, initialization and on-orbit sustainment activities. This NRO program also utilizes streamlined acquisition practices requiring more experience, leadership, and initiative from individuals within each division. The Space Segment Systems Engineer leads overall spacecraft integration and is responsible for end-to-end systems engineering and integration for all hardware development, integration, test, and verification associated with the assigned systems to include the Space Vehicle-to-Ground Mission Planning and Command and Control software development. Interaction with other organizational elements, government support contractors, and development contractors is required on a routine, ongoing basis. Proactive and effective communication and interpersonal relations skills are essential.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Full Performance Level (GG-11/GG-12), Space Segment Systems Engineer, occupational series 801. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, clickhere.

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 July 11, 2023 to July 25, 2023. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on July 25, 2023.

Who May Apply

• 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.
• 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.
• This position is open to the public.

What You Will Be Doing

• Leads government support contractor and development contractor personnel in the design, development, manufacture, assembly, integration and test of payload and bus hardware and software components into an integrated spacecraft system ready for end-to-end system integration, test, launch, initialization and on-orbit sustainment activities.
• Leads and facilitates core systems engineering processes across the Space Segment, which may include, but not limited to, Requirements Management, Configuration Management, Risk Management, Government Furnished Property tracking, Giver/Receiver management, and schedule risk assessments.
• Serves as a technical authority and/or Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR).
• Makes cost, schedule, technical and risk balanced decisions regarding space vehicle development, vehicle unique mission management and command and control software development, assembly, integration, and test activities, and launch operations in accordance with program office objective priorities.
• Provides authoritative recommendations, briefings, and other formal and informal feedback to management on all aspects of assigned subsystem status and at significant decision points. The incumbent shall attend all necessary meetings, as practicable.
• Other routine administrative duties may be assigned as required.
• Some recurring travel around the country is required.
• Evaluates the value and applicability of new or improved technology, strategies, trends, or applications.
• Manages issues and risks to balance lifecycle cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Works closely and substantially with organizations outside the program office to ensure space vehicle requirements are well understood and incorporated into the system design, users are kept up-to-date on development and are involved in system design trades, and system integration and activation is smooth and successful.
• Works closely with contracting officers and actively participates in contractual and programmatic aspects of initiating procurements including contract actions, proposal evaluation, specification changes, technical tradeoffs, corrective actions, workarounds, and the evaluation of contractor’s performance.
• Researches trends and patterns.
• Reviews and evaluates studies, projects, proposals, or reports.

What You Need

• 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 (such as test plans and final reports), and the ability to employ new methodological approaches to analyze information.
• Demonstrated written and oral communications skills, including ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels of leadership and ability to give effective oral presentations at levels appropriate to and tailored for different target audiences.
• Minimum two years of government acquisition experience or equivalent.
• Proven critical thinking skills and reasoning skills as demonstrated by experience in preparing analytical assessments and other written products with emphasis on clear organization; concise, logical presentation; to include an assessment or recommendation supported by data or research.
• Familiarity with systems engineering principles and architecture.
• Bachelor’s degree in Professional Engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must be in a school of engineering where the curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
• Demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, and management skills to conceptualize and effectively lead complex analytic projects with limited supervision; ability to work collegially to find a consensus solution when views differ among agencies, and ability to effectively work independently and within a team or collaborative environment.

Desired Qualifications

Highly Desired:

• Understanding of GEOINT contributions to the NRO, DNI, and DoD missions
• DAWIA Level II Certification in Systems Engineering or Program Management, or equivalent, or ability to achieve in 24 months
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires rapid decision-making and communication of those decisions
• Knowledge of GEOINT spacecraft design concepts
• Ability to interact effectively with and provide clear guidance to a team of government and contractor personnel

Desired:

• DAWIA Program Management Level III Certification, or equivalent
• Master’s degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or equivalent from an accredited university
• Experience with NRO programs, Space and Ground Architectures, processes and operations

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 abilitiesnecessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to theduties of the position as described above.Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Other Information

• Baccalaureate or Graduate Degree: technical or scientific field such as engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, operations research, engineering management, or computer science
• Financial Disclosure: MAY be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• 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 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 theDefense Acquisition University website.
• Travel Statement: Travel will be required to perform temporary duty assignments.

Location

Chantilly, VA

Salary

This position meets the qualifications for STEM pay for NRO Cadre employees or candidates who possess a qualifying STEM degree as authorized by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security’s (OUSD(I&S)) STEM Pay for DoD IC agencies. Cadre employees or candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they possess a Bachelors or higher qualifying STEM degree and 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. Cadre employees or candidates who move to non-qualifying STEM positions would not be eligible to continue receiving STEM pay and would be transitioned back to the DCIPS GG Pay Scale.

2023 STEM Salary ranges:

GG-11: $97,876 - $133,759

GG-12: $109,492 - $149,640

Hiring Incentives

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

Trial Period

All newDCIPS employeeswill 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, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.

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.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees& job applicants

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. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.

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 [email protected].

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.

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