Acquisition Program Manager - Senior/Expert

Overview 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 U.S. Citizenship is required. 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 Are you a negotiator? Do you enjoy managing or overseeing complex legal agreements or contracts? Are you a finance, accounting, business, or economics professional looking for an exciting challenge? Does managing multi‑million‑dollar acquisition and procurement contracts for reconnaissance satellite systems, ensuring the safety and security of the United States, interest you? Does a career with an “out of this world” mission sound intriguing? The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Senior Level Acquisition Program Management Officers, occupational series 1101. Who May Apply This position is open to the public. Federal government employees: you must currently be at the grade level or higher indicated in this announcement. This is not a promotion opportunity; if selected, 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 DoDI 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 per IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300. What You Will Be Doing Lead activities with functional specialists, including contracting, engineering, manufacturing program control, configuration/data management, test, and logistics and operations support. Manage cost, schedule, and performance of complex contracts to develop, deliver, and sustain overhead reconnaissance systems, including spacecraft hardware, ground and communication components, and mission software applications. Provide authoritative recommendations, briefings, and other formal and informal feedback and status to management on all aspects. Provide input in source selection and assessing contractor performance during all acquisition phases, including operations. Collaborate with senior contract officers on complex contract awards and ensure program objectives are achieved within stringent cost, schedule, and technical performance requirements. Oversee identification and implementation of risk management strategies for large‑scale programs to address areas of concern or potential gaps. Direct, coordinate, and oversee work through subordinate supervisors (when applicable). Apply systems engineering principles, techniques, services, and practices at the appropriate level of the architecture to ensure a disciplined approach to meeting intelligence needs with NRO systems. What You Need A Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree in a related occupation (Management, Engineering, Science, etc.) is qualifying for this level and is highly desirable, or you may qualify based on experience. Applicant must have directly applicable minimum of 8 years of experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for immediate success. Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) coded positions: if selected, the incumbent must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) no later than 48 months after accepting the position. Individual shall maintain at least 80 continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website. DAWIA Functional Area/Tier Required: GG14-15: Program Management/Advanced . Employee is expected to meet continuing education requirements to maintain DAWIA certification. If appointed as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), employee must attend the NRO Acquisition COTR training in NI 30-1-3. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job but must clearly demonstrate past experience in applying the competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties 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 May29,2025, will not be eligible for consideration. Other Information Overtime Statement: May be required to work outside normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays. Travel Statement: May be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments. Financial Disclosure: May be required to file an OGE Form450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and annually thereafter. Geographic Mobility Agreement: May be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness and/or career development. Information Assurance (IA): Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment. Emergency Essential: Certain positions are deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements. Location Various NRO Locations. Salary This position may qualify for Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Targeted Local Market Supplement (TLMS) STEM pay for NRO Cadre employees and candidates authorized by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM‑designated position and meet degree requirements. Otherwise, Cadre employees and candidates will be transitioned to the DCIPS GG Pay Scale. 2026 STEM Salary Ranges GG‑14: $148,275 - $192,764 GG‑15: $167,446 - $197,200 2026 Salary Range For the Washington, D.C. Area GG‑14: $143,913 - $187,093 GG‑15: $169,279 - $197,200 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 Section2108 of Title5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction1400.25, Vol2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. Veterans claiming preference must submit documents verifying eligibility upon request. Equal Employment Opportunity Policy The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, 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 accommodation 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. Requests are considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Please send requests to emailprotected . Privacy Act Notice Privacy Act Notice (PL93‑579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361. Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974. #J-18808-Ljbffr