A$ A' "A' ?WE ARE THE NROFor 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 NROYou must be a US CitizenYou must be 18 years of age or olderYou must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearanceYou will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testingYou will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinationsFederal Employee Vaccination Requirement To ensure compliance with nationwide COVID-19 vaccine protocols, please visit NRO Apply Now to review the latest guidance.Where You Will WorkThe NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current opportunities for Engineers (occupational series 0801 in the Ground Enterprise Directorate (GED). GED is the single National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) entity that acquires and enhances software for all NRO systems to bring valuable information to the warfighters, analysts, and policy makers. We continually innovate how we develop, deliver, and integrate software to solve the most challenging intelligence problems while identifying and defining the future ground architecture. We use automation, data analytics and software tools to turn raw mission data into actionable intelligence by delivering capabilities that optimize the constellation and deliver mission relevant data to the IC/DoD.As part of the GED team, you will be empowered to provide direct mission impact to end users have global reach have the ability to do hands-on work with cutting-edge technology and software have the ability to work with all NRO acquisitions and systems work in a truly dynamic and rewarding environment join a team of innovators, enablers, processors, and collaborators gain invaluable experience for future assignmentsThe NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for full performance level (GG-14/GG-15), General Engineer, occupational series 0801. 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 a continuous announcement.Who May ApplyThis position is open to the public and requires US Citizenship plus the ability to hold a Top Secret Security Clearance.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 or IC employees should apply internally or via the Joint Duty Assignment process.What You Will Be Doing Influence and lead acquisitions, to ensure both requirements and designs address operational needs via requirements reviews, increment planning sessions, design reviews, increment demonstrations, etc. 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.Ensure the end-to-end operational readiness of new satellite missions, to include successful delivery of all ground systems; completion of systems test and operational exercises; development of initial and final operational capability criteria with stakeholders; and assessment of ability to support launch, initialization, and operations.Apply Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) techniques to optimize overhead collection, operations and data usability.Collaborate with operational stakeholders both internal and external to the NRO, to include acquisition offices and mission partners in support of mission operations.Manage technical issues and risks to minimize impacts to ensure mission success while minimizing operational impacts.Apply modern software development and 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.Investigate and make recommendations to improve mission operations, in areas, such as efficiency, availability, resiliency, and operability. Ensure completion of milestone readiness criteria and coordination with decision authorities to bring new satellite missions and ground capabilities into operations.Opportunity to identify and work on innovative technology solutions and approaches with real time impact to the existing Ground Segments.Works closely and substantially with program Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives (COTRs) and prime contractors to provide leadership and ensure program objectives are achieved within stringent cost, schedule, and technical performance requirements.Provides authoritative recommendations, briefings, and other formal and informal feedback and status to NRO management on all aspects of program status, contractor technical performance and for all significant decision points.Plans, organizes, and coordinates activities with functional specialists, including contracting, engineering, manufacturing, program controls, configuration/data management, test, logistics and operations support.Continually studies, reviews and evaluates program progress.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.What You Need The General Engineer position requires minimum education of a Bachelor's degree. STEM degrees (eg, engineering technology, physics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics,) are preferred, however a Bachelor's degree in a technical field, with a combination of technical coursework, licenses, training, and applicable work experience may be considered.While we are always pursuing candidates across a breadth of technical backgrounds, our current hiring priority is for the following degrees and experience.Aerospace or Astronautical EngineeringElectrical EngineeringElectronics or Computer EngineeringSoftware Engineering (including AGILE development)Systems EngineeringMechanical EngineeringApplied PhysicsApplied Mathematics (including operations research)Computer Science (including AI/ML)If appointed as a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR), employee must attend the NRO Acquisition COTR training in NI 40-1-1. If appointed as a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR), employee must attend the NRO Acquisition COTR training in NI 40-1-1.LocationChantilly, VATelework is not available and you must be able to work at the specified location(s).Salary2022 salary range for the Washington, DC area: GG-14 $126,233 - $164,102 GG-15 $148,484 - 176,300 This position is a senior level DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from US Citizens and current federal government employees for this position. To qualify for the position, federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG-14 or GG-15 grade level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment 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.