R&D Program Manager

Summary

ODNI established the Office of Economic Security and Emerging Technologies (OESET) in response to increasing demand for improved intelligence on the application of disruptive technologies and related global supply chains. Improved IC posture in this area is critical to enabling the whole-of-government response that maintains United States' economic and technological competitive advantage and ensures U.S. access to goods and services central to its national security.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

IARPA is an activity within OESET. IARPA invests in high-risk/high-payoff research programs that have the potential to provide our nation with an overwhelming intelligence advantage over future adversaries. IARPA addresses cross-agency challenges, leverages expertise from across the IC, and transitions advanced capabilities to IC partners. The IARPA organization is built around supporting the pioneering work of its Program Managers (PMs), and every IARPA success has come from an idea that was seeded by its PMs in response to an Intelligence Community (IC) challenge.

IARPA's PMs are extraordinary leaders who conceive, plan, and oversee the technical execution of high-risk/high-payoff research and development efforts that enable the United States to have an intelligence advantage over its adversaries. IARPA's PMs are experts in their fields of research who bring imagination and dedication to challenges facing the IC. The work of IARPA's PMs directly and substantially impacts the IC's future capabilities and, more broadly, the field of science. This includes a road spectrum of cutting-edge technology that includes: advanced sensing and processing (including quantum computing); applied artificial intelligence; microelectronics; commercial space; open source intelligence; biotechnology, and other emerging technology areas. IARPA's PMs develop new research concepts, then oversee the research from start to finish. They chart the course for the research program, which includes:

Engaging with IC transition partners to understand challenges and problem sets

Defining and developing a research program with goals and objectives that address these IC problems

Developing rigorous test and evaluation criteria

Specifying short- and long-term milestones to gauge the health of the research and its continued alignment with mission goals and priorities

Managing all technical aspects of the program, and working with IARPA's business equities to manage the procurement and financial aspects IARPA's R&D PMs serve for limited terms of 3-5 years and stand up and oversee multiple research efforts.

Application Process: Candidates must demonstrate that they are eminent technical experts with cutting-edge skills and world-class knowledge who can build, lead, and transition technology that is of critical importance to the IC. As part of their application, candidates must pitch a new program idea by answering the following Heilmeier questions (not to exceed 2 pages):

What are you trying to do?

How does this get done at present? Who does it? What are the limitations of present approaches?

What is new about your approach? Why do you think you can be successful at this time?

If you succeed, what difference will it make?

How long will it take? How much will it cost? What are your mid-term and final exams?

Candidates will be evaluated and selected based on the viability of their pitch of a new program concept, their qualifications to run a research program, and their ability to secure and maintain an active security clearance. Multiple candidates can be selected.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Create, develop and implement programs ensuring high-risk, high-payoff research, as well as technical and programmatic integrity, by: providing answers to the Heilmeier questions; establishing a sound process for selection of performers; demonstrating the quality and significance of research outputs; using robust independent assessments to evaluate programs; and fully documenting all results.

Spearhead dynamic communication and outreach activities articulating program vision and plan to IC partners.

Oversee the implementation and development of protection plans for programs to uphold the highest standards for security classification guides for all programs; educating performers/leadership on all security considerations; and ensuring best security practices are utilized at all times.

Establish advocacy initiatives to remain cognizant and accountable for compliance with all legal strictures and governing policies, executive orders, and laws relating to issues such as civil liberties protection, human studies, and export control.

Maintain sound tracking and monitoring of all budget-related program aspects.

Ensure program management for all phases of a program, to include research, testing, integration, demonstration, and evaluation of the capabilities developed during the program.

Ensure background papers, presentations, and related program materials are sent to senior leaders.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen residing in the United States
• Appointment is be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance based on an SBI with eligibility for sensitive compartmented information (SCI)
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• A staff reserve employee who currently occupies this position may not apply.

Qualifications

FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. By submitting your responses to the following questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]).

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

Advanced degree in a science, engineering, or a technical field required.

Expert technical expertise in one or more technical disciplines relevant to the IC.

Proven awareness of Federal acquisition laws, regulations, policy and procedures as they apply to advanced research, development and acquisition.

Proven programmatic expertise demonstrated by an ability to articulate and execute a program plan with clear and measurable milestones and metrics.

Extensive knowledge of the IC, mission, objectives, policies, R&D needs, authorities; especially advanced R&D efforts.

Master knowledge of Science & Technology issues within the IC, other governmental agencies, and industry.

Superior oral and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, filter and synthesize data, and produce clear, logical, and concise products.

Superior interpersonal skills; demonstrated by building and fostering relationships and networks within the IC.

Desired Requirements:

Experience in acquisitions and budget

Education

Do NOT submit transcripts.

Additional information

THIS IS A STAFF RESERVE TERM-LIMITED POSITION

Staff reserve appointments are term-limited appointments of more than one year, not to exceed a cumulative of five years.

If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.

JOB INTERVIEW TRAVEL

Candidates from outside the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA) may be selected for a telephone, teleconference, or in-person interview.

SALARY DETERMINATION

The ODNI uses a rank-in-person system in which rank is attached to GS employees on the basis of individual qualifications, experience, and performance. Individuals whose current GS grade is equivalent to the grade of the advertised position will retain their current grade and step. Individuals who transfer to the ODNI from a non-GS pay scale will have base pay converted to the appropriate GS grade and step as determined by the Chief of Human Resource Management.

In some cases when a current federal civilian employee applies for an ODNI position that is a lower grade than his or her personal grade, the candidate's personal grade will be downgraded to the grade of the advertised ODNI position and pay will be set at the step that is closest to, and not less than, the employee's current annual base rate of pay, not to exceed the maximum step rate of the GS grade to which assigned.

RELOCATION EXPENSES

For new ODNI employees, reimbursement for relocation is discretionary based on availability of funds.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The ODNI provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Reasonable Accommodations Office Representative by email at View email address on click.appcast.io, by telephone at View phone number on click.appcast.io or by FAX at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Your request for reasonable accommodations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO THE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EMAIL ADDRESS. THIS EMAIL IS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS ONLY.

The ODNI is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.